Cook / Qualified Food Operator

Position Summary:

The Cook/QFO ensures a balanced diet of sufficient food is prepared and ready at all meal times, following all safe-food handling procedures, for persons who are currently homeless.  

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Maintaining a current ServSafe or equivalent safe food handling certification
• One year job related experience in food preparation; culinary apprenticeship or training preferred
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos
• Ability to write simple correspondence, complete paperwork
• Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish) (preferred)
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and an ability to provide services to persons who are low-income and/or homeless
• Ability to handle stressful situations in a fast-paced environment

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of the job, the position is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop; and occasionally sit. Prepares meal ingredients by slicing, cutting, chopping, whipping, and mincing. The position must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and is subject to the use of Universal Precautions as required by the blood borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

Nature and Scope of the Position:

This position cooks and provides meals to clients in a shelter environment who are currently homeless.  Clients may have a mental illness and also may have co-occurring substance abuse issues.  This position plans and develops a menu dependent on available ingredients, cooks nutritional meals and cleans afterwards. The position requires the ability to be pleasant, patient, compassionate and consistent.

Environmental and Working Conditions:
This position cooks and provides meals to clients who may be intoxicated, under the influence of unknown substances, may be affected by communicable diseases, and/or appear affected by serious mental health problems. The environment is fast-paced and may include stressful and crisis situations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Plans meals by developing new or analyzing existing recipes, retrieving and ordering ingredients. Prepares ingredients and completes meal preparation by grilling, sautéing, roasting, frying. Verifying doneness and taste, assembling and serving meals
• Maintain a sanitary kitchen by adhering to state and local sanitation, storage and refrigeration requirements and codes; cleaning equipment
• Maintain supplies inventory by checking stock; rotating inventory of products; anticipating needs; placing and expediting orders; verifying receipt; accurate record keeping
• Other duties as needed/assigned

Salary : $18