JOB SUMMARY/GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PURPOSE:

The person in this position is responsible for organizing and overseeing kitchen operations and inventory, provides communication and support for kitchen duties for staff and volunteers. Provides a list of needed food supplies on a weekly basis. This position requires an understanding of food safety and sanitation, a basic knowledge of kitchen equipment and a high level of administrative skills. The Kitchen Coordinator works as a member of the Homeless shelter team to best meet the needs of Shelter guests and works to contribute to the community’s prevention of homelessness.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:

• Organizes and oversees kitchen operations and provides support and communication to staff and volunteers.
• Inventories food and prepares order for food and kitchen supplies for Shelter Manager’s approval.
• Follows food safety and sanitation practices during meal preparations. Makes certain kitchen area is clean, and equipment, counters and cookware are cleaned and properly sanitized.
• Assures proper handwashing techniques are used by all staff/volunteers who work in the kitchen. Also administers proper food handling training with all volunteers, staff and guests.
• Assures food items are properly labeled and dated. And the walk ins are organized and cleaned.
• Obtains and documents refrigerator/freezer temperatures on a daily basis.
• Practices safe working habits when utilizing kitchen equipment. Communicates any concerns to the Shelter Manager.
• Prepares menus and prepares food while assuring proper utensils for specific food items are available. 
• Provides supervision and direction to guests and volunteers fostering a safe, friendly, positive, and comfortable atmosphere for all guests.
• Provides supervision and direction to guests and volunteers assuring that the recycling plan is followed.
• Weekly meeting and collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator.
• Ability to teach and guide volunteers.
• Participate in raising awareness of food needs, generate ideas for raising funds.
• Teach life skills regarding meal planning, meal prep and nutrition, while working and cooking alongside guests in the kitchen.
• Be proactive with menu planning to make sure that each evening’s meal is nutritious.
• When volunteers are not available, include staff and guests in planning, prepping and serving meals.

External and internal applicants as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receives, documents, sorts and stores any in-kind donations made to the Shelter, including dating any perishable items.
• Answers and logs phone calls taking messages or connecting callers to the appropriate staff person when needed.
• Ensures all guests and volunteers are adhering to the Shelter policies and procedures.
• Attends staff meetings and comes prepared to actively participate.
• Exhibits a positive, professional attitude with guests, co-workers, supervisor, and within the community.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED 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.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: High school diploma or equivalent and experience in food preparation, inventory and kitchen environment. Servsafe certification required and provided by Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: 3 years or more of kitchen experience. Experience working with people with mental illness and substance abuse challenges, basic knowledge of homelessness and its causes, ability to make a commitment to the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter’s mission and organizational values.

Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services is an EEO Employer. MMHHS will not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sex stereotyping, gender identity, gender expression or transgender status), national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, protected genetic information, status as a parent, marital status, political affiliation, or retaliation based on prior protected EEO activity. In addition, MMHSS will not permit harassment – sexual or nonsexual – of any employee or applicant for employment.