Culinary Specialist (Part-Time)

OBJECTIVE: To prepare home-cooked, nutritious, and appetizing meals to residents with intellectual and developmental differences in an independent living community, promoting a supportive and comfortable dining environment.                                                                          

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Dinner Service:
  • Develop a nutritious menu, shop for supplies and ingredients, prepare dinners for Residents Monday through Thursday each week
  • Adhere to monthly/annual budget
  • Oversee kitchen staff (1) and volunteers
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Prepare and execute special events menus (e.g., quarterly family day).
• Responsible for overall cleanliness of kitchen.
• Advocate for individuals with differences by ensuring they are treated fairly and appropriately in all community settings.   
• Perform all duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Emulate The Arc Jacksonville’s vision, mission and values in all daily interactions with Residents, family members, guardians, volunteers, and co-workers.
• Maintain appropriate dress, good hygiene and professionalism.
• Maintain a positive driving record for use of organization vehicles for work functions.
• Advocate for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental differences to participate in community life to the fullest extent possible. 
• Able to recognize safety concerns and to take the appropriate action. 
• Possess the emotional stability sufficient for performing all tasks related to the job including times of medical and behavioral crisis of residents.  
• Review and comply with all The Arc Jacksonville’s policies, procedures and directives, as well as those issued by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. 

MACHINES/EQUIPMENT TOOLS USED:

Kitchen equipment (stove, oven, dishwasher, blenders, toaster)

Computers and other general office equipment

QUALIFICATIONS:

Formal Education – High school diploma or GED required. At least an Associate's degree* with a major in culinary arts with 1 year of experience in food preparation.  Florida Food Handler Certified.

*Experience can be substituted for required college on a year-for-year basis.

Skills – Organization, written communication skills, interpersonal skills, de-escalation strategies, resiliency, resourcefulness, creativity, flexibility, collaborative thinking, effective decision-making, time management, empathy and crisis management skills.

Experience – At least 1 year of experience with meal preparation for 20 – 30 individuals; preferred experience in working with persons with intellectual and/or developmental differences. 

Other – Must be 21 years or older. Must be able to pass background clearance checks.

CPR/Basic First Aid Certification, Human Trafficking & Fair Housing Training, HIPAA Certification, Zero Tolerance (organization will provide). Mental Health First Aid Training.

COMPENSATION: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour