COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA

Job Description: Cook

Drawing upon CHC’s 30+ years of experience serving young people, ages 18-24, through housing, support services, meeting their basic needs, education, and employment services. A very important part of the way we show care and concern is done through food, meeting the very specific need to eliminate hunger or worry about food through the commercial kitchens at our sites and the chefs/cooks that prepare that food.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Full-time Cook will be responsible for the preparation, service and handling of food that is served every day, for every meal, in compliance with health and safety standards. Each kitchen staff member is responsible for the overall experience of the youth being served every day, this includes creating a positive, inclusive, and affirming experience in the kitchen/dining areas. This position will support up to 40-60 young people eating per day.

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

PAY RATE: $25.00 / hour

KITCHEN RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Preparing, serving, and handling food every day, specifically lunch and dinner, as well as continental breakfast preparations.
• Responsible for checking with the Food Services Manager or assigned supervisor for instructions dealing with the daily operation of the food services.
• Responsible for following the daily menu and ensuring that the standardized recipes are used to prepare all menu items.
• Responsible for the safe and healthy handling and preparation of all food, ensuring expedient service, in a sanitary and pleasant environment for residents, guests and staff.
• Ensuring that the kitchen staff, youth interns and volunteers are trained and supervised while in the kitchen and dining areas.
• Ensuring that the rules and procedures for your and other employees’ conduct are adhered to and tasks completed in the allotted time.
• When assigned, responsible for the purchase and inspection of food items delivered or purchased to ensure quality standards are met.
• Ensuring that equipment is turned off, leftover food items are properly stored, and freezer and walk-in refrigerators are locked/secured.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive community atmosphere, promoting a sense of belonging and resident satisfaction in the dining areas and at events where Kitchen Services are required. Ensuring excellent and sincere customer service is exhibited by the team.

KITCHEN DUTIES:
• Prepare, cook, and serve meals to youth/residents, staff, and guests at your facility, following menus, production sheets, and recipes approved by the Kitchen Manager or supervisor.
• Prepare food for cooking by performing such tasks as washing, cutting, trimming meat, fish, fowl and cutting, slicing, and dicing vegetables.
• Wash all equipment and workstations, counters, shelves, and store utensils and equipment properly after use.
• Document leftovers or production records and store them in refrigerators or freezers after labeling and dating. Monitor and document temperatures to ensure that foods are served or stored at safe temperatures.
• Sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, floors, walls, counters, tables, and food carts to comply with state health department standards and to prevent food-borne illnesses.
• Monitor the highest standards of cleanliness, maintenance, and safety are maintained. Report any issues to the Kitchen Services Manager or Operations Manager for prompt resolution of issues.
• Conduct regular kitchen and dining room inspections to identify and address any issues related to safety, appearance, or maintenance.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

KITCHEN PROCEDURES:
• Must adhere to and practice proper sanitation and safety procedures.
• Will perform daily and weekly side work duties as assigned by Kitchen Manager or supervisor.
• Communicate with and cooperatively work alongside fellow kitchen and Covenant House employees.
• Attend Inservice and mandatory trainings as assigned.
• Will come to work as scheduled and consistently demonstrate dependability and punctuality.
• Cook will be familiar with and adhere to the policies and procedures contained within the employee manual.

Other duties as assigned by the kitchen manager or CHC leadership team.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Work requires the ability to reach and write in English and follow written instructions typically acquired through partial high school education.

EXPERIENCE: One year in food preparation or hot and cold foods.

SKILLS: Must be able to follow recipes and prepare foods from scratch. Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff and resident interns. Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Meal periods (non-paid) and breaks are required to be taken each shift.
Any overtime must be pre-approved.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on occasion, bend, sit, and stand for prolonged periods of time.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES: N/A

EQUIPMENT USED: Must be able to use kitchen appliances and have experience with cleaning, sanitizing, cutting, etc in a commercial kitchen environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Covenant House California does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Covenant House California is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.