Lead Cook

Prepared on October 28, 2026

Department	Social Services
Reports To	Elder Services Lead
Type of Employment	Full-Time
Work Hours	40 hours per week
FLSA Status	Non-Exempt
Salary	$23.00-$25.00 Per hour DOQ

Summary

Lead Cook is responsible for the daily operation of the Elders Program kitchen, including planning, preparing and serving nutritious meals for Elders. Community members and employees. This position oversees food ordering, kitchen supplies, purchase orders, and meal program records. Lead Cook maintains a clean, safe, welcoming kitchen and dining environment while providing respectful, dependable service to the community.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include the following, other duties may be assigned.

Plan, prepare, cook, and serve nutritious meals in appropriate quantities for Elders, community members, and employees.
Develop menus that offer variety and consider nutritional needs, seasonal foods, local availability, and traditional or culturally meaningful foods when possible.
Prepare meals that are appetizing, and ready to serve at scheduled mealtimes.
Prepare fruits, vegetables, meats, salads, baked goods, desserts, and beverages.
Follow recipes and adjust quantities based on the number of meals being served.
Check food for quality, proper cooking temperatures, and safe preparation before serving.
Operate kitchen equipment safely, including ovens, grills, fryers, griddles, and other equipment used in meal preparation.
Work with the Elder Services Supervisor, Cultural Department & Community Garden to support special meals, cultural activities, and community gatherings.
Manage the daily operation of the kitchen and help ensure meals are prepared and served in a timely manner.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen, food storage area, and lunchroom.
Follow applicable food handling, sanitation, health, and safety standards.
Clean and sanitize food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, utensils, equipment, and dining areas.
Wash dishes and ensure kitchen supplies and equipment are properly cleaned and stored.
Monitor food storage, temperatures, expiration dates, and inventory to help reduce waste and maintain food safety.
Report equipment problems, maintenance needs, or safety concerns to the Elder Services Supervisor.
Estimate food and supply needs based on planned menus and the number of people being served.
Order food, kitchen supplies, and other necessary items in a timely manner.
Prepare and submit purchase orders and maintain accurate records of purchases, receipts, and supplies in accordance with Tribal policies.
Maintain meal counts, program records, and other documentation required for the Elders Lunch Program.
Maintain a working knowledge of applicable grant requirements and assist with documentation and reporting related to the meal program.
Work with the Elder Services Supervisor to ensure purchases and program activities follow applicable grant requirements and Tribal policies.
Treat Elders, community members, coworkers, and visitors with kindness, patience, dignity, and respect.
Seek opportunities to incorporate traditional foods and culturally meaningful meals into the program, when available and appropriate.
Direct the daily work of Cook’s Helper and other staff assisting with meal preparation and service.
Train staff in kitchen procedures, food safety, sanitation, and meal service.
Plan, assign, and monitor work to ensure tasks are completed safely and on time.
Direct and manage the Youth Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program.
Willing to work special programs/events outside of regular business hours.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and report on work on time to support scheduled meal service.
Work cooperatively with the Elder Services Supervisor, Social Services staff, and all other Tribal departments

Supervisory Requirements

Directly supervises Cook’s helper. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee must have a food handlers’ card, driver’s license and must be able to pass a drug screen and background check.

Experience and Eduction

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Basic mathematical skills; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals and fractions.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

he physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand long hours. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Common kitchen environment.

At-Will Employment

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job related instructions and to perform any other job related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

The employment relationship with Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is voluntary; there is no specified length of employment. Accordingly, either the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause, at any time, so long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state law.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

INDIAN PREFERENCE

Indian preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe’s policy 181 within the Tribes Employee Handbook.

Benefits

After 60 days of employment

Medical
Vision
Dental
Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage
Short term disability
Long term disability
Disability resources

After 90 days of employment use of

Annual Leave accrual
Sick Leave accrual
Bereavement Leave
Military Leave
Jury Duty Leave
Paid Holidays

After 1 year of employment

401K contribution

Work Location	Work on Location Premises 2373 Tokeland Rd Tokeland, WA 98590
Job Posting Valid Through	Valid until filled
Position Start Date	Immediately