Kitchen Assistant

Description

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The current starting salary for the position is $16.00 per hour, although consideration will be given the successful candidate's experience and educational background.

Permanent full-time employees of Alternatives, Inc. are entitled to sick leave, vacation leave, individual health insurance, and retirement benefits. Alternatives, Inc. participates in the State Workers Compensation and Unemployment Insurance plans.

Permanent part-time employees are entitled to a pro-rata share of benefits based on the percentage of full-time hours worked (full-time = 40 hours per week).

Specific detail regarding benefits will be provided upon request at the time of interview or at the time of hire.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Overview:

The Kitchen Assistant is directly accountable to the Chef of Alternatives, Inc.

The Kitchen Assistant shall assist in the preparation and delivery of meals to Alternatives Inc. residents and personnel. Meal service is required three times per day, every day. Food services work requires the ability to be physically active. The Kitchen Assistant must be able to work with a variety of personality types and be able to supervise, motivate, and train temporary workers.

General Requirements:

• All employees of Alternatives, Inc. are responsible for reading and complying with standards and procedures in the following documents:
  • Standard Operating Procedures
  • Employee Handbook

Specific Duties:

• Clean kitchen, dining, and storage areas regularly and thoroughly in compliance with state, federal, and local regulations.
• Assist with the systematic, sanitary, and secure storage and rotation of stock.
• Assist with preparing and serving meals in accordance with a routine schedule compatible with staff and resident functions.
• Meal preparations are to be made with special attention to the maintenance of safe, healthful, and sanitary conditions. This includes the implementation and enforcement of hygiene regulations for food service workers.
• Help prepare special luncheons for visiting dignitaries and for the Board of Directors, as needed.
• Help train, direct, and supervise the Kitchen Inmate Workers and all residents assigned to work within the food preparation, service, and storage areas.
  • Ensure that Inmate Workers are accounted for at all times during scheduled work hours.
  • Ensure that workers report to work on time, stay the full time period for which they are scheduled, and complete assigned duties in a cooperative and efficient manner.
  • Ensure that Inmate Workers report to work wearing clean clothing with clean hands and fingernails.
  • Do not allow Inmate Workers to perform duties if they are sick or have open wounds or infections.
  • Do not allow Inmate Workers to have keys or control of an agency vehicle, or be left unsupervised for periods greater than 30 minutes.
  • Report harassment of any kind immediately whether directed from one worker to another, staff to worker, worker to staff, or worker to resident.
  • Do not allow one Inmate Worker to be placed in a supervisory position of another.
  • Enforce all rules of the program and report infractions to Client Advisor personnel. When food service personnel directly observe a suspected rule violation, they are responsible for writing and submitting an Incident Report.
  • Ensure that Inmate Workers perform duties in a safe manner.
• Have an understanding of the treatment program and security functions of the facility.
• Participate in training sufficient to meet agency requirements.
• Food service personnel are required to carry a kitchen cell phone when on duty. This is a safety and security precaution to aid in managing residents, to assure assistance in case of a vehicle breakdown or accident, and intended to promote ease of communication for those wishing to contact food service personnel.
• Assume all other duties as assigned.

Other:

• The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for informing their supervisor of significant developments related to Alternatives, Inc. Such issues are to be reported expediently, based on his/her assessment of the importance of the issue. Examples include:
  • Any resident involvement in the legal system or in violation of program rules and regulations.
  • Threats of legal action.
  • Public Relations problems.
  • Resident complaints.
  • Fraternization issues.
  • Medical incidents/accidents.
  • Repair requirements on van or facility.
  • Schedule changes, leave requests, reporting in sick and any unauthorized departures from the office.
  • Any suspected or confirmed violation of agency rules by clients.
• The Kitchen Assistant is expected to report to his/her supervisor in an expedient fashion all areas of noncompliance with program procedures, along with suggested remedial plans or interventions.
• The Kitchen Assistant is expected to be flexible in assuming new duties and schedule changes. He/she is to be creative in establishing or modifying program operation procedures, and obtaining approval of the appropriate authority previous to implementation.
• Assume all other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This job operates in a correctional kitchen environment. Some of these hazards could include, but are not limited to: bodily fluids, heat, cold, noise, dust, stress, burns, slips, falls, and cuts. Alternatives Inc. has a Safety Management program in place addressing these issues.
• 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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee stands for long periods of time (65%) and walks (8%). The employee must frequently lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and push food carts weighing up to 200 pounds. Must be able to use cooking equipment and knives, drive an agency vehicle, handle keys, and use a computer and cell phone.
  • Must be able to pass a physical.
• This job requires the ability to:
  • Resolve problems using critical thinking skills.
  • Communicate clearly, timely and effectively.
  • Develop and maintain an engaged workgroup.
  • Read, write and speak English.
  • Ensure a quality work product is produced in the departments assigned.
  • Come to work promptly and routinely.
  • Work under stress and to deadlines.
  • Manage and direct work of staff.
  • Manage expenses to budget.
  • Ensure service standards are met in the departments assigned.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or equivalency.
• Ability to be on your feet and physically active.
• Ability to lift objects up to 35 pounds.
• Good organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• A valid Montana drivers license.
• ServSafe Certified or the ability to become certified with six months of hire.

PREFERRED:

• Must have a minimum of six months experience in food services involving food preparation for large groups or line cooking experience.
• Experience in working with offenders or as an employee in a residential treatment program.
• Experience supervising and training personnel.

Salary : $16 - $0