Community Chef

WeBUILT (We BUILD UNIQUE INDEPENDENT LIVES TOGETHER)

Job Description: Chef (Monday – Friday)

Position Purpose

The Chef reports to the Community Manager for WeBUILT, and is responsible for daily preparation of a healthy, balanced meal for community residents and their invited guests, kitchen operations, and kitchen safety. The Chef is responsible to assure safe operations in the kitchen and to prepare a balanced meal (typically evening) with flavorful ingredients that meet resident dietary needs and restrictions.

About WeBUILT and its Residents

WeBUILT is an intentional community developed specifically for individuals who experience a disability and have been uncomfortable or less than optimally successful in traditional housing options. WeBUILT operates as a congregate intentional community where the members own shares in the community as a whole and which includes a benefit of a personal home built to their ideal comfort criteria. WeBUILT is a housing model created as a business rather than a real estate venture. WeBUILT is a consumer-controlled environment where residents choose their own service providers and determine when, where, and if they have individual direct support. WeBUILT also includes residents who are not investors who receive the same support and access to amenities as members. Each resident pays a monthly fee specific to their member or non-member status that covers water, sewer, waste, environment, electricity, cable and internet as well as one meal a day prepared to the preferences of individuals and the group.

WeBUILT is a private residence, not a group home. Residents live independently and choose activities and daily routines while making personal life decisions within safe parameters with the oversite and support of management and staff. Residents may require assistance with executive functioning (planning, money management), transportation, meal prep and cleaning. Parents or guardians also support the development of skills around medical and dental appointments, job skills and education.

Scope of Responsibility

The Chef is responsible for the overall daily operation of the kitchen, and is part of a team of professionals that includes a Community Manager, an Executive Director of Next Step Strategies (NSS) – a non-profit agency that supports WeBUILT, NSS Board Members, and WeBUILT LLC board members. The Chef helps to foster a community culture that promotes respect and appreciation for all residents, support staff, and parents.

The Chef is expected to work as a professional with a substantial degree of discretion and independent judgement to successfully meet the established goals and objectives of the position and needs of the community. The Chef should be able to rely on their experience and training to work successfully with individuals who experience sensory and communication challenges. The Chef will build productive relationships with management and residents as an authentic and reliable support resource for the WeBUILT community.

The Chef may coach and guide the work of various residents who participate in job development, including dishwasher and kitchen assistants, and may provide training and instruction for residents who wish to learn kitchen, cooking, and related food preparation, planning, storage and safety skills. The Chef works closely with the Community Manager, and is expected to work collaboratively with other management and staff.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

Typical duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare menus for the days assigned. Collaborate with management on menu items. Ensure that menu items meet all residents’ preferences and dietary needs or restrictions (i.e. gluten free, vegan)
• Personally prepare or ensure proper preparation of all food to be served. Ensure that all dishes are cooked well and presented in an aesthetically pleasing way
• Determine how much food and supplies need to be ordered or purchased. Purchase ingredients as authorized.
• Harvest produce from WeBUILT gardens to be used in preparation of meals.
• Prep kitchen before meal times.
• Assure proper sanitation and safety practices are followed. Work and assure kitchen operations are conducted in a safe manner.
• Develop and maintain records and other relevant materials regarding menus, purchases, waste, strategies and other resources to assist in the effective and efficient operation of the kitchen and meal prep.
• Implement ways to reduce costs and create healthy options using garden produce and/or left over ingredients.
• Meet the demands of large projects when requested, such as special events or quests.
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen and pantry at all times, including horizontal surfaces such as countertops and floors, as well as shelving, drawers, cabinets, backsplash, and all equipment, including appliances.
• Monitor equipment quality and recommend new equipment as needed.
• Attend all staff meetings as invited.
• May be required to regularly clean and sanitize the full party barn floor.
• Guide and support residents involved in job development related to meal planning and preparation and kitchen related activities.

· Related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to plan and organize.
• Ability to prepare and serve food, while maintaining freshness and quality, in quantities sufficient to serve to groups of residents and their guests totaling twenty to forty meals at one time.
• Knowledge of nutrition, food preparation, storage and safety.
• Knowledge and understanding of different culinary profiles and techniques.
• Ability to effectively manage time and other resources.
• Effective attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to effectively communicate in a sometimes fast-moving environment.
• Ability to make good food consistently, even in a busy kitchen.
• Ability to follow instructions from management.
• Ability to regularly lift 35 lbs.
• Ability and demonstrated willingness to learn new flavors and techniques.
• Ability to work safely, efficiently and neatly.
• Ability and willingness to occasionally work outside of established schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively, especially oral communication, to be understood and to understand others.Ability to successful apply active listening skills.
• Ability to use creative problem-solving skills to address and identify solutions to unique challenges.
• Ability to interact with empathy, good listening skills, and adaptability to create favorable relationships within our organization.
• Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm for working in a new kind of housing for people who experience a disability.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and some training in in the basics of culinary arts.
• Three years of experience as a restaurant chef or food operations manager serving groups of diners at one time, such as catering or other simultaneous delivery of meals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree in culinary arts.
• Additional experience working with non-normative adult populations, especially persons who experience a developmental disability or autism.
• Experience working in a resident community.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Restaurant experience: 3 years (Required)
• Cooking: 5 years (Preferred)
• Food preparation: 5 years (Preferred)
• Culinary experience: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30