Cook

About the role

The full-time Cook is responsible for the planning and preparation of nutritious healthy meals in a high-volume environment feeding over 200+ homeless and low-income women daily. The ideal candidate portraits a positive energy and calm demeanor at all times, manages priorities in the kitchen environment, leads and motivates volunteers, participants, interns and other staff members to do their best and get the job done. The full-time cook understands and places a high emphasis on maintaining a “clean as you go” environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a clean and organized kitchen.
• Cleans and sanitizes equipment, prep tables, service counters, dishes, pots and pans, etc.
• Practices “clean as you go” at all times.
• Oversees planning of menus; responsible for preparing and executing 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack) for 200+ women.
• Aid in managing food inventory, including order placement and delivery.
• Manages food donation drives as needed.
• Supervises and trains participants, volunteers (individual and groups), interns and other staff in the preparation and cooking of meals.
• Have excellent organizational skills and time management skills; be able to function under time constraints and deadlines with attention to detail.
• Provides crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation as necessary.
• Ensures food safety by labeling and dating food, executes proper food rotation (FIFO), maintains appropriate food storage guidelines and keeps all areas in compliance with Health Department regulations.
• Supports the development of measurable outcomes and the implementation of data collection.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years’ experience in food service.
• ServSafe Certification required.
• Degree in culinary arts or nutrition a plus.

Qualifications

• Cultural humility.
• Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC.
• Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months, on first day of hire.
• You will be required to be up to date on your vaccinations against COVID-19 and provide documentation.
• Must be highly flexible.
• Weekends and holidays are required.
• Some evenings.
• Must have strong communication skills to interact and establish relationships with patrons assisting in the kitchen.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in crisis situations.
• Sensitivity and knowledge of the complexity of poverty and women’s homelessness, including mental illness, substance dependency and abuse, and needs of older adults.
• Able to work under minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Be able to bend, climb ladders, and lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years’ experience in food service.
• ServSafe Certification required.
• Degree in culinary arts or nutrition a plus.

Competencies

• Must be highly flexible.
• Weekends and holidays are required.
• Some evenings.
• Must have strong communication skills to interact and establish relationships with patrons assisting in the kitchen.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in crisis situations.
• Sensitivity and knowledge of the complexity of poverty and women’s homelessness, including mental illness, substance dependency and abuse, and needs of older adults.
• Able to work under minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines.

Benefits & Schedule

• This is full-time, regular, non-exempt position and is eligible for DWC’s comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, parking and transportation benefits.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Sunday from 5:00am to 4:00pm but are subject to change in order to meet operation needs and demands.
• Weekends and public holidays availability is required.

Work Authorization

• Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
• DWC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B.

Fair Chance Act Statement

• Downtown Women’s Center will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.