Shift Leader / Food Service Worker

Headquartered in Paterson, NJ, Straight and Narrow is the largest program of its kind, providing innovative and compassionate services to individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

About the role

The Shift Leader/Food Service and Delivery Staff provide on-site leadership and operational oversight during assigned shifts while supporting the preparation, packaging, service, and safe delivery of meals in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation setting. This position helps ensure a safe, structured, and recovery-oriented environment for clients by overseeing daily operations, supporting client engagement in treatment programming, responding to crises, and maintaining compliance with facility policies, licensing requirements, food service standards, and clinical guidelines. The role is responsible for coordinating kitchen and meal service activities, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation standards are maintained, and providing timely and accurate meal delivery to designated locations. As a key point of contact during the shift, the incumbent promptly documents and reports incidents, concerns, and operational or client-related issues to supervisors and leadership, while communicating effectively with clinical, medical, administrative, and food service teams to support continuity of care.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site leadership and operational oversight during assigned shifts.
• Support the preparation, packaging, service, and safe delivery of meals.
• Ensure a safe, structured, and recovery-oriented environment for clients.
• Oversee daily operations and support client engagement in treatment programming.
• Respond to crises and maintain compliance with facility policies, licensing requirements, food service standards, and clinical guidelines.
• Coordinate kitchen and meal service activities, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation standards are maintained.
• Provide timely and accurate meal delivery to designated locations.
• Document and report incidents, concerns, and operational or client-related issues to supervisors and leadership.
• Communicate effectively with clinical, medical, administrative, and food service teams to support continuity of care.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/General Education Diploma (GED) required; Associate degree preferred, or one (1) year of experience in the food service industry.
• One (1) year of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Working toward CADC/Recovery Specialist certification preferred.
• Experience in addictions, mental health, and/or behavioral health services is preferred.
• Knowledge of large-scale food preparation and service, with the ability to coordinate and oversee kitchen functions.
• Have and maintain CPR/First Aid certification and ServSafe certification or obtain required certifications within thirty (30) days of hire.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude.
• Good computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems.
• Must possess a valid New Jersey driver's license with no more than five (5) points.
• Must be able to drive agency vehicles to transport service recipients on a regular basis and comply with the Agency Vehicle Driver's Agreement.

Schedule

Tuesday - Saturday, 8:00am - 4:00pm

Benefits

• Medical, vision, dental, life, and supplemental life insurance.
• Accidental and Critical Illness Insurance.
• 403B with employer match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• In-house training seminars and two training days for certified professionals.
• Supervision for those pursuing licensure in NJ as LCADC/CADC, LSW, LCSW, LAC, LPC, and LMFT.
• Participation in employee discount programs such as the Working Advantage program.