Nursery Chef

The University   
   
At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community.  We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.   
  
Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.   
  
At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion.  It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.    
  
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here
   
The Role and Department    
  

At Durham University Day Nursery we aim to provide high quality childcare in a safe secure and stimulating environment for children from 0 to 5. We aim to operate in partnership with parents, helping children to be happy, independent and well-adjusted emotionally and socially.

Our Nursery aims to promote self-confidence and a positive attitude to learning in all children whatever their gender, ethnicity, home language, special educational needs, disability or ability. We aim to offer a broad, balanced and diverse curriculum where learning will be fun and will provide basic skills for the future. We recognise that every child is unique and aim to assist all children to attain their maximum development potential by paying attention to their individual needs. 

We aim to support students and staff of Durham University with parental responsibilities, in order that they can achieve their goals at study or at work. Please note that we also welcome non-Durham University staff/students.

The Nursery Chef’s main responsibility is to provide high quality fresh food to all children within the nursery and to provide a hygienic service.

The position is 35 hrs per week, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks of the year (except for bank holidays and customary days). There maybe need for some occasional weekend and evening, if required, for staff training.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.  
   
Working at Durham   
  
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:   
  
 
•    27 Days annual leave per year (in additional to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year), a total of 39 days, including time off between Christmas and New Year 
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.  
•    Discounts via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.   
•    On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year. 
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.   
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities.  
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers)   
•    If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues  from qualifications, to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.  
•    Generous pension schemes.   
    

What you need to demonstrate when you apply     

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience

1. City & Guilds 706 1 / 2 or NVQ level 2 Catering together with a basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
2.    Experience of working in all section of the kitchen of high quality catering operation

3.    Experience of working in a team delivering customer focussed services, high quality catering team 
4.    General experience in similar environment/role.
5.    Experience of managing time and prioritising in order to meet deadlines.
6.    Experience of supervising a team.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6.    Good spoken and written communication skills.
7.    Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems.
8.    Committed to training/continuing professional development.
9.    Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.
10.    Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

11. experience of working to standard operating procedures

12.Experience of working on own initiative.

13. a methodical worker with excellent attention to detail 

Desirable Criteria

How to Apply    
   
We prefer to receive applications online.  When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form.  
  
We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.   
  
Who to contact for more information  
   
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Kim Roberts would be happy to speak to you. [email protected] 
 

Typical Role Requirements  

At Durham University Day Nursery, we provide homecooked meals to our children, from breakfast, snacks, lunch and tea. We are an outstanding team working together to providing fresh and exciting meals to our children.

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery
•    Provide an excellent and timely service to our children 
•    Log, record and pass on information for use by others.
•    Follow established procedures when carrying out your role and vary or refer to more senior colleagues when necessary.
•    Collect, organise and record data and information accurately for use by others.
•    When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and regulatory standards following the food safety .
•    Carry out some tasks that may require specialist skills and may be physically demanding 
•    Operate everyday tools and domestic equipment within the kitchen area 
•    Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations, being aware of any hazards and risks and reporting any incidents.
•    Follow established security protocols when dealing with other staff that are new to an area of work.

·         Operate a system to record, dispense and distribute resources and information as required, including the purchasing of suitable fresh food, stocks and materials for the meals and keeping accurate accounts of expenditure, working within an agreed budget.

·         Plan appropriate menus in conjunction with the nursery management team, for babies and pre-school children.

·         Prepare, cook, serve and clear lunch and teas as required.

Teamwork/Liaison and Supervision
•    Delegate tasks to other members of the team and make sure that they have been completed.
•    Explain systems and procedures to new starters and provide advice and guidance when required so that they know how to carry out their role.
•    Help to coach assigned team members and provide any ongoing training needs.
•    Help to move, set-up and maintain any facilities, equipment or tools.
•    Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service within the kitchen area, ordering of food.
•    Liaise with staff in other areas to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
•    Help team members review and update risk assessments.

Communication/Personal
•    Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
•    Follow established procedures to respond to queries and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experience team members.
•    Respond to queries and provide information about stay and play session providing food for the events to our families run by the service.
•    Learn the skills needed to deliver services in a catering environment.

•    Any other reasonable duties

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.    
   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.