Kitchen Assistant

Candidates contacted for interview will be required to complete official job description. Visit www.lacasainc.org to download application form.

OPEN: March 5, 2022 CLOSE: March 14, 2022 5:00 PM

Applications received after closing will not be accepted.

Position Summary: Assists Kitchen Supervisor in meal preparation, menu planning and kitchen sanitation for the residents at the shelter.

Hours: As assigned, Wednesday – Sunday. Weekends and evenings are required

Reports to: Kitchen Supervisor

Supervisor: __Yes _X_ No

Condition of Employment: Full-Time, Grant Funded Contingent upon funding

Salary: $12.50 per hour. Depending on education and experience

Essential Duties:

· Complete assigned food preparation, menu planning, and grocery shopping.

· Provide assistance to shelter clients in obtaining healthy, nutritious food

· Assist in ensuring compliance with all Department of Health and State of New Mexico rules and regulations pertaining to food handling, storage and preparation.

· Ensure freshness and quality of food served.

· Include donated, commodity and purchased food into meal preparation.

· Ensure nutritional balance of meals are planned and served.

· Provide training and supervision to clients in kitchen clean-up responsibilities.

· Ensure overall cleanliness of kitchen and organization of kitchen at all times.

· Provide all services in an empathic manner, providing guidance, motivation and encouragement according to trauma informed guided principles.

Administrative Duties:

· Maintain meal count documentation as required.

· Assist Kitchen Manager in completing all required documentation and paperwork in a timely manner.

· Maintain compliance with funder requirements in delivering services and completing all required documentation and maintaining organized files.

Training:

· Attend shelter staff meetings and in-service trainings.

· Ongoing professional development including keeping abreast of recent trends and developments regarding domestic violence and advocacy as they pertain to the clients served by La Casa.

· Attend seminars and trainings approved by supervisor.

Additional Duties:

· Other duties as assigned.

Expectations:

• Promote excellent internal and external customer service at all times.
• Follow all safety rules and guidelines and maintain a neat, safe, organized workspace.
• Assist donors with unloading items into carts and pushing carts to outside donations area when needed.
• Pick up bags or boxes of donations from outside front area or lobby area to maintain clear paths.
• Aptitude for dealing with people; strong problem solving abilities; emotional identification with others.
• Maintain strict confidentiality per agency policy.
• Demonstrate positive role-model leadership and work cooperatively with others.
• Model respect, understanding and appreciation for all people.
• Exhibit skills in comprehending, interpreting and supporting the organization.
• Ability to succeed in and contribute to a team environment.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work under pressure without losing sight of objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to work independently.

Qualifications:

· Education/Experience: Combination of education and experience equivalent to a High School Diploma and a minimum of one (1) year in food preparation and handling, preferably in an institutional setting.

· Substitution of education/experience: None

· Language: Bilingual in Spanish/English is preferred.

· Work Environment: The position requires frequent standing, bending, stooping and lifting and movement around the kitchen to prepare and serve meals. Employee must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. frequently. Primary work area indoors are temperature-controlled working around extreme hot surfaces when preparing meals and sanitizing dishes. Position requires reading and interpreting various documents.

· Other: Post-offer drug/alcohol screen, TB test and background check. Current CPR Certification.

· Warm, empathic, and non-judgmental with demonstrated ability to maintain healthy boundaries with clients and staff.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $12.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Employees receive COVID-19 training, social distancing and sanitizing of common areas, sign in/out rosters for contact tracing, regular COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated staff. Mandatory current COVID-19 vaccination or qualified exemption required at hire.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• food preparation and handling: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• Bilingual English/Spanish highly desirable (Preferred)

Work Location: One location