Kitchen Assistant

Job Title: Winter Shelter Kitchen Assistant Department: Homeless Alliance Day Shelter Reports to: Kitchen Manager Date:06/29/2024 Job Code: Type of position: Full-timeX Part-time Intern FLSA: Exempt Nonexempt X Position Details: Individual Contributor Supervisor/Manager (direct reports) WC Code: JOB SUMMARY The Kitchen Assistant works with the Kitchen Manager, fellow kitchen assistants and volunteers to prepare and serve meals at the Shelters. Additional areas of responsibility include but are not limited to: Utilizing donated food resourcefully to prepare meals, cooking, organizing inventory, Preparation, and maintenance of quality standards. The Kitchen Assistant will work to maintain a hospitable, people-centered, team driven, and high-quality food service environment for the Shelters founded on the principle of advocating for overlooked and marginalized people. All employees are expected to maintain the Homeless Alliance mission and values at all times whether working beside community partners, volunteers and especially while serving guests. Other duties include ensuring laundry, sanitation, cleanliness, and up-keep of the shelter is maintained. This position is seasonal and begins 10/21/2024 and ends 3/31/2025 RESPONSIBILITIES Prepare a variety of meals for cooking in Broilers, ovens, grills, tilts skillet and various kitchen equipment Oversee meal service and engage with guests during meals, if necessary Go to other organizations to pick up donated food and meals using a box truck. Identify and communicate operational issues in the kitchen with supervisor Prep meals for the following day Understand and maintain ethical standards for donations Follow weekly cleaning and upkeep as determined by kitchen manager Maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen in compliance with health department regulations Maintain good rapport with guests, volunteers, staff, and stakeholders Application of the FIFO (first in, first out) method to ensure quality and safety of all ingredients Plan and carry out mealtime if the kitchen manager is absent Ensuring that all kitchen cleanup, including taking out trash, is done for the evening meal. REQUIREMENTS Willing to work (10AM-6PM) The ability to work flexibly to the differing demands of the role: working with people, dealing professionally with colleagues from partnering agencies Highly effective people skills: Ability to demonstrate empathy Ability to use defusing techniques to deal with conflict Able to relate well with people from a variety of diverse backgrounds: especially vulnerable, those with mental illness, substance abuse, etc. Be able to keep pace with the daily demands of the job Assist with kitchen cleaning and upkeep, including stocking and organizing storage areas Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner Note: It is the responsibility of all staff members to treat all clients, volunteers, guests, and other employees in a courteous and respectful manner at all times EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or GED preferred One year or more of food preparation experience PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Occasional lifting (light-medium weight) of materials for laundry, cleaning, receiving donations or other activities. Accommodation may be made for some physical limitations for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation. WORK ENVIRONMENTS The employee will work in a normal kitchen environment and occasionally in other areas of the Day Shelter, WestTown Campus and the community. Hectic situations can occur in the public area of the facility characteristic to working with the homeless community and the related concerns and situations related to homeless conditions. Potential exists for volatile and unpredictable situations to occur. Exposure to strong odors such as soiled clothes and poor hygiene, are common. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship. The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change, so, too, may the essential functions of this position.