ORGANIZATION: SHELTER, Inc. is an independent, community-based non-profit organization created in 1986 to lead the effort to eliminate homelessness. We currently operate in Contra Costa, Solano and Sacramento counties.
MISSION: To prevent and end homelessness among low-income, homeless, and disadvantaged families and individuals by providing housing services, support and resources that lead to self-sufficiency.
JOB TITLE: Lead Cook
STATUS: Non-exempt/Full Time
TEAM: Food Services
REPORTS TO: Food Services Manager
SUPERVISES: None
PURPOSE of ROLE: Under the supervision of the Food Services Manager, the Lead Cook will be responsible for ordering supplies, menu creation and food preparation as well as service to participants at Shelter Solano.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prepares menus that take into consideration the varying health and cultural needs of shelter participants that are cost-effective and nutritious.
- Prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner daily for all participants.
- Under the direction of the Food Services Manager, do a weekly inventory to determine the weekly order of food and food supplies.
- Utilizes donated foods as much as possible, and constructs weekly shopping lists, taking food donations into consideration.
- Take delivery of all food and food products and supplies, labels, stocks and rotates inventory to ensure freshness.
- Ensure that all food and supplies are put away and secured before the end of each shift.
- Recycles and composts all kitchen waste as is possible.
- Maintains a clean and orderly kitchen and pantry area, including regular and thorough cleaning of appliances, walls, cabinets, shelves, etc.
- Ensure proper safety and sanitation in food preparation and maintain cleanliness of kitchen and dining hall.
- Ensure dishes are washed and kitchen is clean and sanitized as well as food storage areas. Complete other cleaning tasks as needed.
- Coordinate with Shelter Supervisor to assess participants needs and provide support with regard to participants.
- Maintains all necessary written documentation as required by the health department, Child and Adult Care Food Program, USDA, and other governing bodies and/or funders.
- Attend meetings as indicated.
- In collaboration with the Food Services Manager, assist in collecting statistics and meal counts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
EXPECTED PROFICIENCIES:
- Knowledgeable of the State of California health code policies and procedures
- Training in foods, nutrition, dietetics, and/or food preparation
- Quality control - demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Strong presence, consistent energy level and positive demeanor.
- Demonstrated capacity to maintain highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information.
- Attendance and dependability, can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work.
- Excellent communications skills both verbally and written.
- Ability to maintain patience and tolerance and tact/diplomacy in stressful situations.
- Keep professionalism at all times, including setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
- Excellent follow through, “can do” attitude to get the job done.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Work experience of at least 3-5 years cooking and preparing meals in an industrial setting.
- Knowledge of food safety procedures.
- Possession of a valid California Food Handler’s Certification – or ability to attain within 30 days.
- Good verbal/written skills and presentation skills.
- Experience working with computer-based service documentation/data collection.
- Ability/willingness to work flexible hours.
- Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, participants, local agencies, vendors, volunteers, etc.
- Access to reliable personal transportation required, including a DMV record that permits driver to be insured under SHELTER, Inc.’s automobile coverage.
- Must successfully pass a criminal background check.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Serv-safe certification.
- Bachelor of Arts or higher education.
- Experience with Paycom.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform 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 is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to stand and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel objects. The employee is occasionally required to sit, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
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 of this job.
There are no unusual environmental conditions. Typically, the noise level in the work environment is moderate.
Benefit Package Includes
- 18 days of Paid Time Off to start, stepping up to 25 days over 8 years (vacation, sick, personal)
- 15 paid holidays including your birthday!
- Tuition reimbursement
- Medical insurance Fully paid employee coverage of at least three plans and 50% of dependents premium (Kaiser, Sutter Health and Anthem Blue Cross)
- Dental Fully paid employee coverage and 50% of your dependent’s premium
- Vision Fully paid employee coverage and 50% of your dependent’s premium
- Flexible spending account
- Group term Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Fully paid employee coverage
- Long-term disability insurance Fully paid employee coverage
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Pet Insurance through Wishbone Pet Insurance
- Voluntary Aflac insurances
- 403b Retirement Plan with matching contribution
