Selection Criteria

1. Qualifications and Professional Experience
Demonstrated qualifications and experience in commercial cookery, including the ability to plan, prepare and deliver high-quality meals in a commercial kitchen environment. Experience in catering for large groups or preparing meals in an educational, community or institutional setting would be highly regarded.

2. Food Safety, Hygiene and Compliance
Demonstrated knowledge and application of food safety standards, safe food handling, food storage, allergen management, and kitchen hygiene procedures. The ability to maintain a clean, protected and compliant kitchen environment in accordance with relevant food safety legislation and requirements is essential.

3. Menu Planning and Child Nutrition
Demonstrated ability to plan and prepare nutritious, balanced, appealing and age-appropriate meals for primary school-aged children. This includes accommodating dietary requirements, food allergies, cultural and religious food preferences, and developing menus that encourage children to enjoy a variety of healthy foods.

4. Organisation, Time Management and Resource Management
Demonstrated ability to organise and manage the daily operations of a commercial kitchen, including meal preparation and service schedules, ordering and managing stock, minimising food waste, maintaining equipment, and working within an allocated budget. The ability to prepare and coordinate multiple meals each day in a timely and efficient manner is essential.

5. Communication, Collaboration and Commitment to the School Community
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with school leadership, staff, families and external suppliers. A commitment to supporting student health, wellbeing and learning through a positive, inclusive and reliable School Meals Program, with a genuine understanding of the importance of providing nutritious meals in a primary school setting.

Role

- A qualified Chef with Cert 3 and 4 in Commercial Cookery
- Previous experience with cooking in bulk quantities in a retail, large school, early learning or aged care facility
- Strong understanding of allergen management and food safety
- Passionate about healthy and nutritious food
- All-rounder experience and able to cook Savoury & sweet desserts
- Able to achieve results without supervision
- Currently have or able to obtain a valid Working with Children¿s Check
- Excellent knowledge of all kitchen procedures and operations

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this position will be:

- Prepare fresh, nutritious meals for students
- Contribute to menu ideas using local ingredients
- Monitor stock and minimise wastage
- Adhere to hygiene standards and following proper food handling practices
- Deliver healthy choices and guidance to the future generation

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude,



experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au

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.

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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

Our goal is to provide engaging and nutritious dining solutions tailored to support academic achievement at the highest levels.

THE BENEFITS





- Work largely within school hours and spend time where it counts - with family
- Health & wellbeing programs
- Flexible working ¿ School holidays

Conditions of Employment

- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
- Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Location Profile

At our safe and supportive school we work in teams to support our staff and students to create meaningful life-long impact!!!

Manorvale Primary School was established in 1983 and is located on the Werribee River and situated on the site named after the Manor House owned by the Chirnside family. The Werribee River provided a boundary between the territories of the Woiwurong First Nations people to the northeast and the Wathawurrung to the southwest. The school is organised in straight year level structure.

The school is predominantly English speaking but also contains students from a range of cultural backgrounds including refugee and asylum-seeking families. 30% of students come from non-English speaking background including refugee students. 18 of our students are indigenous Australians. The school enrolment is 313 students.

We are a mainstream primary school who welcomes all neighbourhood children to enrol and operates with an inclusive mindset to reduce barriers and provide access to learning. We are proud to foster a strong, inclusive school culture grounded in respect and explicitly teach the school values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Aspiring. MPS strives for high academic achievement for all students and supports our teachers with developing learning sequences using the support of high-quality external materials such as Ochre, EMP, Corrective Reading Decodable Readers Australia, MulitLit & Maths Mastery.

The school is undertaking a $12.1 million capital works project to supply new buildings and facilities. This has supported us to create the Manorvale Mighty Meals Program.

Our Manorvale Mighty Meals Program is about more than just food, it¿s about connection, wellbeing and learning. Sharing a meal together builds a sense of community, teaches children about nutrition, and supports lifelong healthy habits. We¿ve created a space where students enjoy fresh, balanced meals, connect with others, and develop confidence around trying new foods.

We are seeking a member of staff who is enthusiastic about contributing to a school community that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and a deep commitment to every learner¿s success.

📌 Chef (Melbourne)
🏢 Government schools
📍 Melbourne