Summary

The part-time cook is responsible for the planning and preparation of nutritious healthy meals in a high volume environment feeding over 200+ homeless and low-income women daily. The ideal candidate portraits a positive energy and calm demeanor at all times, manages priorities in the kitchen environment, leads and motivates volunteers, participants, interns and other staff members to do their best and get the job done. The full time cook understands and places a high emphasis on maintaining a clean as you go environment. This position is responsible for assisting in the long term planning and budgeting of the meals program, cleanliness of the entire kitchen, including pantry, walk-in refrigerator, freezer, equipment, utility and service area, and also maintains an organized and efficient working environment.

The full time cook enjoys being creative with meals, has a superior knowledge of food safety and cleaning solutions; a good understanding of HACCP is a plus. The candidate has a strong ability to improvise menus and builds positive relationships with all patrons of the center. Strong leadership qualities are required to be successful as well as being able to work in a high stressful environment. Reporting directly to the Kitchen Manager, this position must have strong communication skills, good teamwork, be able to follow directions and work under minimal supervision.

Essential Functions

1. Maintains a clean and organized kitchen. Cleans and sanitizes equipment, prep tables, service counters, dishes, pots and pans, etc. Practices clean as you go at all times.
2. Oversees planning of menus; responsible for preparing and executing 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack) for 200+ women.
3. Assist in managing food inventory, including order placement and delivery. Manages food donation drives as needed.
4. Supervises and trains participants, volunteers (individual and groups), interns and other staff in the preparation and cooking of meals.
5. Provides crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation as necessary.
6. Ensures food safety by labeling and dating food, executes proper food rotation (FIFO), maintains appropriate food storage guidelines and keeps all areas in compliance with Health Department regulations.
7. Supports the development of measurable outcomes and the implementation of data collection.
8. Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies

Must be highly flexible. Weekends, holidays and evenings availability is required.

1. Must have strong communication skills to interact and establish relationships with patrons assisting in the kitchen.
2. Ability to exercise good judgment in crisis situations.
3. Sensitivity and knowledge of the complexity of poverty and womens homelessness, including mental illness, substance dependency and abuse, and needs of older adults.
4. Able to work under minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Also be able to bend, climb ladders, and lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.

Required Education and Experience

1. High school diploma or GED.
2. At least 2 years experience in food service.
3. ServSafe Certification required.
4. Degree in culinary arts or nutrition a plus.

BENEFITS & SCHEDULE:

This is part-time, regular, non-exempt position. Days and hours of work are typically Saturday 6:00 am to 2:30 pm; Sunday and Monday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm but are subject to change in order to meet operation needs and demands. Weekends, holidays and evenings availability is required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or medical condition.

Downtown Women's Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin and ancestry, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, pregnancy, military and veteran status or medical condition. In addition to federal law requirements, Downtown Women's Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.