Temporary Cook
New York, NY, USA
Posted on Jun 26, 2026
Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
DREAM has partnered with Brigaid to build our own in-house food service program, which launched in Fall 2023 at our state-of-the-art school in the South Bronx and is expanding to our brand new Highbridge location in Fall 2024. At scale, this program will serve breakfast, lunch, and likely dinner to 1,300 students almost 365 days of the year, along with providing curated food programs for DREAM alumni, families, and community members.
Reporting to the Kitchen Manager, DREAM’s full-time Cooks will work closely with the Brigaid Program Chef and kitchen team to execute DREAM’s vision of a best-in-class food and nutrition program. Cooks will be responsible for producing and serving daily meals to DREAM students and staff, and will maintain the kitchen and storage spaces to the highest level of organization, cleanliness, and safety. This is an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals committed to supporting the community’s engagement with food to help execute a one of a kind food program in service of DREAM’s students and families.
Responsibilities
- Daily execution of DREAM’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP)-compliant food service program
- Daily production and service of meals for DREAM students and staff, using NSLP-compliant recipes
- Receiving and storing deliveries
- Assisting with monthly physical inventory of food and supplies
- Maintaining required records, including those related to food production, purchasing, and inventory, as well as all HACCP documentation, including food safety and temperature logs
- Monitoring feedback and preferences from students and communicating feedback to the Lead Cook
- Assisting with food production for special events, such as fundraisers and community meals
- Interfacing with DREAM students, employees, and leadership from a wide variety of backgrounds, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with families, students, and school staff and leaders
- Ensuring food safety, cleanliness and organization standards are maintained to the highest level at all times
- Maintaining DREAM kitchen operating standards and protocols that promote the highest level of food quality, food safety and consistency and adhering to all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and regulations
- Additional tasks as necessary, including dishwashing, cleaning, and organizing kitchen and storage areas
Qualifications
- At least 1 year of professional cooking experience
- Valid NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate, or the ability to take the self-paced course and pass the exam prior to starting
- Strong understanding of good food safety practices
- Strong cooking ability, with understanding of all basic cooking techniques and the ability to follow recipes and use basic math to determine preparation quantities
- The ability to collaborate on setting and implementing a vision of excellence
- The ability to learn and adhere to USDA NSLP and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards and regulations
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with various audiences, including colleagues, students and families
- Flexibility in accommodating emergencies or changes in schedule
- The desire and ability to receive and implement feedback
- A commitment to working with diverse populations of families and students
- A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of DREAM students, families, and the community
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift, carry, and push supplies and boxes up to 50 pounds.
Ability to stand for long periods of time, bend, kneel, and reach to store/retrieve supplies.
Occasional environment exposures to inclement weather.
Working Expectations
- Primary locations: Time split between Mott Haven Campus: 20 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx NY, and Highbridge Campus: 1162 River Ave. Bronx NY
- This is a temporary position to fill in for a parental leave.
- Expected length of employment is July 21, 2026 to November 21, 2026.
Compensation
- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience. The incoming annual salary range for this position is $40,000 to $42,000 per year.
- New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.
- As this is a temporary position, yearly salary will be prorated for the length of employment.
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.