Chef - Supported Employment

This is an exciting time at Imagine!  We are a launching a new program that will not only help provide meals to an elderly population, but will also provide training and employment opportunities the intellectually and developmentally disabled community.  We are looking for someone to bring their creative cooking and leadership skills to our team.

Purpose of Position:

Leads and oversees kitchen and food operations with Imagine!’s  Employment Services program and in collaboration with community partnerships.  Responsible for all aspects of commercial meal planning, preparation, and delivery in a housing community. Provides employment services, including training, for adults with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD).

Purpose of Position:

Leads and oversees kitchen and food operations with Imagine!’s  Employment Services program and in collaboration with community partnerships.  Responsible for all aspects of commercial meal planning, preparation, and delivery in a housing community. Provides employment services, including training, for adults with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD).

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

1. Oversees the planning, preparation, execution, and delivery of meals.

1. • Ensures compliance with all commercial food safety regulations and quality standards.
   • Manages all aspects of meals including calendars, food ordering and inventory, delivery, storage, and expenses.
   • Creatively uses donated and purchased ingredients to make freezer meals and lunch options to serve at least 40 people at the start of the program and increasing as the program grows.
   • Develops kitchen operation standards and procedures.  Provides orientation of kitchen rules, policies and procedures.  Oversees training of new kitchen employees.
   • Ensure all kitchen appliances, equipment, and utensils are kept clean and in working condition and that food preparation meets safety regulations.

• Supports Program Manager in effectively resolving concerns and complaints.

1. Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with vendors, community partners, and other external stakeholders.

1. • Represents Imagine! in communicating with providers, serving as a liaison to community and business partners.
   • Identifies and makes recommendations for vendors/ vendor coordination- food, equipment, storage, etc.
   • Works with Imagine!’s development and marketing teams to promote kitchen programs and services.
   • Build and scale employment and food services initiatives to meet community needs.

1. Implements employment services and training for adults with IDD in a commercial kitchen and other work environments.

• Supports participants through person centered planning, accommodations, collaborations with team members, natural supports, mentoring, and training.
• Ensures implementation of participants’ Service Plans.
• Uses assessments to measure skills and develops training curriculums and teaching aids for individual skill acquisition. 
• Coordinates, instructs, and facilitates on-going coaching and training.
• Models safe work practices through the utilization of site-specific and company safety practices.

1. Assists in maintaining regulatory compliance of Employment Services operations.

• Maintains current, up-to-date knowledge of regulatory issues impacting supported employment for people with IDD and the restaurant industry.
• Ensures program compliance with all standards and regulations, including Imagine! policies and procedures.
• Reviews all behavioral incidents, accidents, and medical emergencies, referring to the Program Manager when necessary. 
• Monitors and tracks data to ensure programmatic compliance.
1. Contributes to the financial viability and integrity of Employment Services.

• Responsible for building and managing the budget for Employment Services’ food operations program.
• Assists with Employment Services’ budget development and review.
• Ensures that staff scheduling supports billable goals.
• Regularly seeks to develop program-wide Quality Improvement initiatives.

 Other Duties/Responsibilities

• Ensures the health and safety of all participants.
• Maintains professional relationships with stakeholders.
• Provides excellent customer service to business partners.
• Responsible for customer satisfaction. 

Job Qualifications

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.