Position Type:
Nutrition Services Leadership/Admin/Nutrition Services Executive Chef
Date Posted:
7/8/2026
Location:
Educational Support Center
Date Available:
ASAP
Closing Date:
08/17/2026
FULL SALARY RANGE: Level 10 (minimum: $70,999 - mid-point: $87,653 - maximum: $104,307)
The maximum placement for new hires is based upon experience and typically does not exceed the mid-point of the range
FTE: 1.0
Months per year: 12
Job Code: 250923
New Position
Location: Thornton, CO
Adams 12 Five Star Schools is deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. We commit to eliminate the predictability of who is included in excellence and who is not. Adams 12 Five Star Schools puts students first and supports our district's mission to elevate student success for every student every day in every classroom. Candidates who can contribute to our goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.
SUMMARY: Responsible for developing new menu and recipe items for all school kitchens across the district. Acts as a professional liaison with distribution representatives, district stakeholders, and local food suppliers. Monitor and assure compliance with Health Department Standards, all safety procedures, and department policies and procedures. Provide culinary training, demonstrations, and leadership to kitchen staff, managers, and visitors to the Nutrition Services Center and school kitchens. Support, comply with, and display knowledge of all applicable federal and state regulations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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. Frequency and percentage of time may vary based on building assignment.
JOB TASK DESCRIPTIONS:
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Develops recipes and standards for food preparation "from scratch" that adhere to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutritional requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs. Maximizes the use of fresh, local ingredients in recipe development and menu planning, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Upholds all operating standards for the department and assists in the development of operating standards specific to the Nutrition Services. Provide culinary vision and collaborative creation to the cycle menu process in collaboration with the Menu Coordinator.
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Oversee the daily kitchen operations and staff of the central kitchen to train, guide, mentor, evaluate, hire, and discipline staff. Assist with daily production in the central kitchen as needed. Review, approve, and verify reported time worked using district time and labor system. Amend staffing agreements to specify the hours employees are allotted. On call for situations that may need immediate attention.
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Supports operations to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency in food preparation, delivery, and service. Trains employees and substitutes as needed, on the preparation and quality of food, meal presentation, safe food handling and storage procedures, proper sanitation and cleaning procedures, and proper care for and use of equipment. Support proper and accurate inventory controls of the central kitchen-produced items.
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Regularly visit school sites to provide support and engage with students during mealtimes, gathering feedback.
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Oversees proper storage and rotation of food, ingredients, and supplies to ensure maximum freshness and minimize waste. Monitors and ensures that all food-related items received from delivery are of exceptional quality. Maintains accurate health department-required logs on all products and equipment, as applicable.
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Monitor and ensure compliance with Health Department standards and department policies and procedures, including but not limited to Nutrition Services SOPs, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), employee expectations, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
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Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:
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Certified Executive Chef (CEC) degree/certification preferred.
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Experience serving in a K-12 environment is preferred.
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Minimum 3 years of experience as an Executive Chef in a large volume food service operation.
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Experience in "from scratch" recipe and food development.
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Experience in large batch cooking and equipment.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS:
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Criminal background check required for hire.
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Successful completion of a post-offer physical examination is required prior to commencement of job duties.
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Must obtain within one (1) year of entering the position, and thereafter maintain, Serve Safe Certification
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Must meet minimum national professional standards and training requirements for school nutrition professionals who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
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Recommend membership with the School Nutrition Association and Colorado School Nutrition Association.
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Recommend attending Colorado School Nutrition Association annual conference every two years.
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Must complete the district courses "Progressive Discipline," and "Classified Evaluation System" within one year of entering position.
SALARY INFORMATION:
The salary listed is for full time positions (1.0 FTE). This salary will be adjusted, as needed, based upon the FTE. Administrative employees' salary will be commensurate on the employees' education and/or work experience. For additional information, please review our Administrative Compensation Program or review our Administrative Salary Schedule.
BENEFITS INFORMATION:
Adams 12 Five Star Schools is committed to providing an environment that promotes a healthy employee population able to serve our students at the highest level. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as other programs for benefit eligible employees. The employee assistance program, voluntary life insurance through PERA, and 401(k), 403(b) & 457(b) plans are available to all employees regardless of hours worked and are available immediately (upon hire date).
To learn more about our benefits, including paid time off, please see our Benefits Overview.
THIS POSTING IS NOT INCLUSIVE OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
Rev 5/26
