Cook

• Create nutritious meals that support children's health and development
• Use your childcare skills both in the kitchen and on the floor with children
• Work for a NFP organisation that supports children and families

Are you passionate about helping children and families thrive?
Barnardos Australia is seeking a dedicated Cook to join our early learning centre in Merrylands, 2160. This is a part-time 35hr a week, permanent opportunity to be part of a values-led organisation committed to making a real difference in the lives of children and families.

About the Role
As a Cook, you will:

• Support educators to provide positive learning experiences around healthy eating, nutrition, food and wellbeing.
• Prepare and provide nutritious, balanced and age-appropriate meals and snacks in accordance with the Centre’s approved menu and nutrition guidelines. Ensuring meals are presented appropriately for children's ages and developmental stages, including consideration of choking risks.
• Ensure safe preparation, handling, storage and serving of food in accordance with applicable food safety and hygiene requirements, to prevent cross contamination and allergen exposures.
• Maintain strict processes for children with cultural dietary requirements, intolerances, and individual dietary requirements.
• Follow children’s medical management plans, risk minimisation requirements and relevant Centre policy and procedures when preparing and serving food.

You’ll join a collaborative and supportive team delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services that uphold child safety, cultural safety, and family-led practice.

Skills and Experience :

• Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education.
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) or equivalent.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certificate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards and ability to implement the food safety program.
• Ability to prepare age-appropriate meals and snacks.
• Knowledge of child nutrition and dietary requirements.
• Experience with cooking in bulk and managing portion sizes.
• Experience in a Cook position in an Early Learning Centre.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities, including a strong understanding of cultural safety, self-determination, and the historical and contemporary factors that impact Aboriginal peoples.

What’s on Offer:
Base salary: $68,867 per annum (pro rata, if applicable) + 12% superannuation
Salary packaging: Up to $15,860 tax-free (general living expenses)
Meal & entertainment packaging: Additional $2,650 tax-free per FBT year
Leave loading and additional wellbeing leave

Other benefits include:
35-hour work week
Flexible working arrangements
Paid cultural leave and a day off during NAIDOC Week
Extra annual leave over the Christmas–New Year period
Ongoing development: mentoring, acting up, secondments
Volunteer leave and opportunities to engage in community events
Access to Barnardos’ Indigenous Cultural Support Unit, Gurung Wellama

About Barnardos Barnardos Australia is a leading children’s charity with a proud history of protecting children and strengthening families. Our work spans communities across NSW and the ACT, focusing on safe, stable, and connected futures for vulnerable children and young people.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
Barnardos Australia recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first Australians, with unique culture, languages and spiritual relationships to the land and seas. We are strongly committed to improving the lives of children and young people and to uphold the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be safe and cared for within their own communities and remain connected to their families and culture.
For Barnardos Australia, reconciliation means working in a meaningful and respectful way with Aboriginal families and communities. It is a commitment of Barnardos Australia to work in collaboration and partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities, always guided in this process by principles of self-determination.

Pre-employment Requirements You will need (or be willing to obtain):

• National Police Check
• A current drivers licence
• Working with Children Check (or APP number)
• For ACT roles: Working with Vulnerable People card, CYF Check, and Driver History Check

How to Apply
To get started, simply submit your current resume.
If your application progresses, you’ll be invited to complete a second stage of the process, which includes access to the full Position Description and selection criteria. You’ll be asked to respond to the criteria at that time.


For a confidential discussion OR to find out more about the role please call Zoe on (02) 9218 2346 or 0477 808 655

There is no set closing date for this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be filled once a suitable candidate is identified. Early applications are encouraged.

Make your next role one that truly makes a difference.
Join Barnardos — a children’s charity that puts purpose into practice.

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