Food Service Associate - contingent

This position assists the Food Service Specialist and Kitchen Coordinator in managing daily operations of the Ashland Avenue kitchen and ensuring meal service for clients in 24/7 programs at Zepf's Ashland Avenue location. The role involves collaborating with the management team and staff to deliver exceptional customer service and high-quality meals. Employees must meet their regular work schedule, which may include rotation of shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform "set-up" work for the next shift, including washing, cutting produce, combining ingredients in recipes, and cleaning meat and fish as needed.
• Receive food prepared at the Recovery House kitchen and ensure temperatures are at safe holding levels.
• Assist with maintaining kitchen inventory, including ordering and stocking supplies, and ensure accurate record-keeping of meals served and supplies used.
• Check that orders contain the correct type and amount of side dishes before final preparation and delivery.
• Safely transport prepared meals to designated Zepf locations when needed, ensuring proper handling and temperature control.
• Maintain accurate records of food deliveries, including meal counts, and ensure all prepared foods are date-marked, initialed, and described in accordance with Health Department regulations.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation areas to establish and maintain proper hygiene.
• Wash and store all cooking appliances, utensils, cutting boards, serving containers, and trays, ensuring all kitchen equipment is maintained in good working condition.
• Sweep and mop kitchen floors and wipe down walls regularly to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Ensure kitchen cleaning routines are consistently followed to meet Health Department Food Safety Regulations.
• Open and close the Ashland kitchen and cafeteria for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals according to established opening and closing procedures, ensuring all tasks are completed for the next shift.
• Ensure breakfast and snack items for 24/7 programs at Ashland Avenue are appropriately stocked and rotated.
• Adhere to all Health Department Food Safety Regulations, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and ServSafe guidelines to ensure a safe and compliant kitchen environment.
• Receive, label, and store deliveries of fresh and shelf-stable food and other items in an organized manner, maintaining proper food safety practices for the Ashland Avenue kitchen.
• Monitor food storage and ensure prepared foods are properly labeled, stored, and tracked according to regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of inventories, resident meals served, meal counts, and daily logs as part of the kitchen's operational documentation.
• Ensure proper reporting and record-keeping for both food inventory and meal service, adhering to organizational and regulatory standards.
• Work a full-time schedule and adapt to any schedule changes or additional needs.
• Collaborate effectively with the kitchen team and other Zepf Center staff to ensure smooth kitchen operations and client satisfaction.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a positive, team-oriented attitude.

Competencies

• Adheres to Health Department Food Safety Regulations.
• Maintains clean food preparation areas and equipment.
• Follows safe food handling and storage procedures.
• Sets up and cleans up cafeteria food serving line.
• Sets up the kitchen for the next shift.
• Verifies correct portions and side dishes before serving.
• Keeps kitchen clean and organized for smooth operations.
• Follows proper kitchen opening and closing procedures.
• Manages food inventory and storage efficiently.
• Works well with kitchen staff and team members.
• Demonstrates flexibility in performing various tasks.
• Supports high-quality service for clients.
• Ensures adherence to all regulatory requirements, including food safety standards and health department guidelines.
• Maintains high standards of cleanliness, food preparation, and storage in compliance with regulations.
• Completes all mandatory staff training requirements and attends all mandatory staff meetings.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage time effectively, prioritizing tasks to maintain kitchen flow and meet meal delivery schedules.
• Optimizes kitchen operations, ensuring resources are used efficiently without compromising quality.
• Provides excellent service to clients by ensuring meals are delivered on time and meet dietary needs.
• Addresses client concerns or requests promptly, ensuring a positive experience.

Environment and Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand for the entire work shift, with limited breaks.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the shift.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and stooping as part of food preparation and cleaning tasks.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment, such as ovens, stoves, and dishwashers, safely and efficiently.
• Work is performed in a commercial kitchen environment, which may include exposure to heat, noise, and the handling of food and cleaning chemicals.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Occasional exposure to cold temperatures in refrigeration or freezer areas.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of one year experience working as a cook in a commercial food operation.
• Willingness to work on an "as needed" basis in addition to regularly scheduled hours.
• Valid driver's license with reliable transportation and the ability to drive for work-related tasks as needed.
• Obtain ServSafe certification within 1 month of hire.
• Obtain Peer Support Specialist Certification within 90 days of hire.
• Experience with DiningRD Plateful software is a plus.