Culinary Program Trainer
Department: Programs
Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
Location: Seattle, WA.
Pay Rate: $28.00 - $31.05
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
FareStart has been helping people transform their lives through food for 30 years — one person, one job and one community at a time.
People experiencing poverty struggle to escape the cycle they are in and often face other compounding barriers to getting and keeping a job. At FareStart, we help people overcome barriers by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in employment and in life. By investing in people, providing meals and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger and poverty into human potential.
OUR VISION
Every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world.
OUR MISSION
FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.
OUR VALUES
- Acceptance: We build relationships based on the belief that the past informs but does not dictate the future.
- Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background or differences. We actively listen and seek first to understand. We are honest, even when it is difficult.
- Openness: We create a culture of trust through transparency and open communication. We are open to new ideas.
- Collaboration: Contribute positively to strengthen the organization and our impact through teamwork and through partnerships.
- Accountability: We are responsible to each other, to our community and ourselves. We are committed to rigorous evaluation and making fiscally responsible decisions that align with our mission.
- Inclusion: We provide a community of belonging, regardless of background. We value and seek out diversity.
- Growth: We are a learning organization. We invest in continuous improvement and growth.
ABOUT THE POSITION
This position supports FareStart students as they work toward achieving their self-identified goals for personal stability and economic mobility. Using a trauma-informed approach, this position trains students in building the personal and professional skills they need to be successful in employment and life, through in-person classroom and on-the-job culinary instruction. This role teaches students the fundamental technical skills and knowledge needed to work in the culinary industry and participates in FareStart culinary production. This position works closely with case managers and Social Enterprise staff to support students in achieving their goals.
This position requires local travel between different training sites located in, but not limited to Seattle and Issaquah. Some of the training sites are not accessible via public transportation.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Provide high-quality instruction to students through on-site classroom and on-the-job training at FareStart production and retail sites.
- Support a professional, person-centered kitchen culture, while supporting students in the development of transferable skills such as teamwork, sense of urgency, growth mindset, positivity, and communication.
- Teach hands-on fundamental technical skills and knowledge needed for working in culinary industry, such as knife skills and safety, sanitation, stacking order, food safety, portioning, recipe adherence, and more in both a group and individual setting.
- Maintain organization and cleanliness of classrooms and training kitchen.
- Provide students ongoing coaching and feedback to support them in their skill development and achieving their goals.
- Conduct regular assessments of student learning, maintain records of progress, and utilize data to inform instructional practice.
- Make recommendations for and support the development of adjustments to the new and existing curriculum to increase student skill-building.
- Perform hands-on support of meal production and FareStart culinary production goals.
- Build trusting, positive, communicative work relationships with Social Enterprise leadership and case managers to support students and address areas of concern.
- Identify and provide intervention and accommodations for students, using a trauma-informed approach.
- Ensure timely and accurate entry of student data and completion of paperwork to meet all organizational and funder requirements.
- Actively participate in meetings for student support, program development, organizational information, training, etc.
- Lead student training opportunities that occur outside of standard training hours, such as Guest Chef Night, the FareStart Gala, and others.
- Lead student training at partnership sites, as needed.
- Provide training coverage across FareStart training sites, as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At FareStart, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
- Bachelor’s degree in related field, and two (2) or more years of related experience working in a high-volume production commercial kitchen; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One (1) or more years of experience in employment and/or job training program.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and work in locations with vulnerable populations.
- Experience working with diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+, and gender communities, with strong knowledge of equity, inclusion, and the impacts of systemic bias.
- Demonstrated experience teaching, coaching, and trauma-informed practices to hold students accountable, manage challenging behaviors, and foster positive learning environments.
- Proficient and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to work with customized databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
- Ability to listen patiently and attentively, ability to express self clearly and effectively, and ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity. Ability to disseminate information effectively to appropriate levels.
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, within diverse teams and environments.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner. Ability to be flexible and adaptable and change plans as needed.
- Ability to listen, give and receive feedback in a productive and professional manner.
- Ability to evaluate problems and effectively solve them in a timely manner. Ability to respond to concerns with empathy and inclusivity.
- Ability to employ best practices associated with the position, while displaying an ongoing commitment to growth and self-development.
- Ability to display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in various situations and maintain a high level of confidentiality. Able to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings and holidays.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- This position is exposed to a typical office, classroom, and commercial kitchen environments.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Physical Demands
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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- This position may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.
- This position requires close vision and ability to adjust focus.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS
- Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
- Paid time-off (5 weeks first year of employment)
- Paid holidays, including up 2 floating holidays
- 401(k) savings plan with company match
- Medical (including vision), Dental, Disability, and Life Insurance
- Employee discounts at FareStart retail social enterprises
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free ORCA pass
Why Should You Apply?
- Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
- Join a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers.
- Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
- FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees.
For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at: www.farestart.org/about
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity
FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization. To fulfill our mission, vision, and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
Our Commitment to Anti-Racism
FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.
