Grade: Early learning centre - Cook Level 1
Occupation: Hospitality and tourism
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference:
Location Profile
Centre Cook- Early Learning Victoria Umarkoo
Role Purpose
Capabilities
Problem-solving : Uses advanced organisational skills to complete administrative tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure that food prepared is within expected budget. Strong problem-solving abilities to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.
Compliance and Child Safety - Implement ELV policies and procedures in relation to Health Nutrition and Food safety. Ensure individual dietary requirements are met for all children at the service and work actively with centre management to support specific needs for allergies/intolerance and culturally diverse communities. Understand and adhere to the Child Safe Standards and the ELV Protect Children Policy. Actively seeks guidance and direction when unclear.
Communication - Uses effective communication skills to develops and maintain meaningful relationships with staff, families, and children, fostering a supportive and collaborative centre environment. Promotes respectful relationship and conflict resolution. Contributes to a positive learning culture by prioritising reflective practice and maintaining a continuous cycle of self-evaluation and improvement.
Personal Attributes - Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and human rights.
Flexibility and adaptability : Operates well in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks guidance and direction from senior colleagues when unsure.
Working Collaboratively : Supports a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds effective relationships with stakeholders and the community to maximise impact of the centre.
Selection Criteria
Criteria 1 - Demonstrates the Nutrition, Food Handling and Hygiene role requirements.
Criteria 2 - Personal Attributes - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 3 - Child safety and Compliance - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 4 - Organisational Skills - please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Diversity and Inclusion
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (seeWorkplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees,including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role. In your cover letter, please also respond directly to the Key Selection Criteria.
Please note, applications will only be reviewed after the job ad close date. We will not be contacting applicants before this time. For more information about the role please contact
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (eg large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Sunday, 5th of October 2025.
Who May Apply
Experience that will be required:
- Demonstrated experience as a Cook or Chef in providing high volume nutritious meals in a timely manner.
- Sound understanding of the Food Safety Act
- Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities.
Specific skills/qualifications required
- A certificate in Food Handling
- Food Safety Supervisor certificate
- Valid Employee Working with Children Check
- Willingness to consent to a Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria)
- International Police Check required if resided outside of Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years
- First Aid, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications (or willing to obtain)
- Protecting Children - Mandatory Reporting online learning (or willing to obtain)
About Early Learning Victoria
The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres will provide high-quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.
Early Learning Victoria's central office is part of the Victorian Department of Education. The central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and will support and oversee centre operations once they open.
Staff in the Early Learning Victoria centres will be part of a current Victorian government-employed early childhood workforce. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.
Early Learning Victoria is committed to Child Safety and the safeguarding of children from harm.
Applications close Sunday 5 October 2025 at 11.59pm
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📌 Early Lrng Ctr Service Cook
🏢 State Government Of Victoria, Australia
📍 Melbourne