Guest Services Assistant (FSC) / Cook

Summary: Cook, coordinate and ensure timely meal service to all IHS guests. Plan and prepare according to the meal service menu and work collaboratively with volunteer groups/individual volunteers providing ingredients or service in the IHS meal program kitchen. Provide exceptional guest service and ensure the welfare, health and safety of all IHS guests. 

Essential Functions

1. Demonstrate excellent customer service consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization

2. Work collaboratively with respective IHS program staff and outside partners to ensure the consistent delivery of services to guests.

3. Keep an accurate account of all events occurring during shift in the daily operations/meal program log and ensure vital information is passed on during shift changes

4. Defuse verbal/physical altercations in a non-violent manner using Crisis Prevention Intervention techniques (CPI); Facilitate emergency procedures including but not limited to situations involving fires, evacuations, use of 911 emergency services, First Aid, CPR, drills and codes etc.

5. Assist and ensure that shelter/site premises including meal prep, storage and service areas are clean and organized; ensure the environment is free from safety/health hazards and report potential hazards or dangerous situations to Guest Services Supervisor or Maintenance Dept. for repair schedules or immediate action.

6. Prepare and serve meals in accordance with food sanitation standard, proper temperature and meal program policies/procedure;;ensure special dietary needs or program food requests are met as appropriate.

7. Properly store, rotate and utilize donated food items/pantry items according to best practices, USDA recommendations and as directed by the manager. 

8. Prep and set up work stations for the next meal service.

9. Safely deliver and ensure meals are set up in a timely manner at designated IHS sites. 

Other Duties

1. Welcome visitors, accept donations, issue receipts to donors and store items in a proper manner.

2. Observe guest behavior as needed to recognize behavioral changes in an effort to maintain a safe and respectful environment; accurately document information regarding guests into SAMi especially IR’s (incident reports) including documenting when emergency situations arise with police, fire or ambulance have been contacted. 

3. Care for and ensure that all IHS property and equipment is handled with care and used as directed by management or as intended; report defects immediately to Guest Services Manager. 

4. Attend all mandatory training, general staff and department meetings as directed. 

5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position may have daily supervisory responsibility of in-house and community volunteers who are providing care, programming and/or assistance for the guests of IHS. The responsibility when assigned, includes ensuring volunteers are working safely, are monitored and supported to have a positive volunteer experience. Employees who are assigned as shift leaders, assume basic responsibilities of leading the shift to include that staff are working safely, are working as scheduled and to report incidents to management as directed. 

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work: Hours include some evenings, weekends and holidays. Hours and days may vary based on the needs of the organization. Must be available to work one or more of the following shifts as scheduled:       

4:30 AM - 1:00 PM and/or 

11:00 AM - 7:30 PM 

Competencies

1. Food Safety

2. Communication

3. Trustworthiness 

4. Customer Oriented

5. Teamwork

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

1. Knowledge of homelessness and the issues associated with it; mental health and substance abuse issues

2. Good interpersonal and written communication skills with an emphasis on conflict resolution

3. Excellent people and customer service skills

4. Possess personal qualities of integrity, patience and commitment to mission

5. Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment

Required Education & Experience

1. High School diploma or GED equivalent

2. One year experience in commercial kitchens, soup kitchens and/or large scale cafeteria settings

3. Six months to one year of direct service or customer related experience working with disenfranchised or medically fragile population

4. Basic computer skills; able to navigate Google E-mail, Microsoft applications and databases

Preferred Education & Experience

1. At least 1 - 2 years commercial cooking experience or experience with homeless or disenfranchised individuals; six months of food service experience

2. Valid Driver’s License and clean traffic abstract

3. CPI certified or able to pass at IHS

4. CPR and First Aid certified or able to certify through IHS

5. Physically capable of communicating with, caring for and facilitating activities for guests of all ages and varying comprehension levels

6. Food Service Certified (FSC) / USDA standards certified

 IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, maintains a Drug and Alcohol-free Workplace, and is an employer of National Service.