Seasonal Food Service and Catering Specialist

OVERVIEW 

Portland Rescue Mission is seeking a Seasonal Food Service and Catering Specialist. This gifted servant will model customer service, attention to detail, and teamwork as they join a Christ-centered team with an award-winning culture and a commitment to serving others. 

Are you ready to make a lasting difference as you bring your skills to a team supporting those seeking new life? If so, we invite you to thoughtfully consider this unique opportunity.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

• How to apply: We ask all applicants to apply through the Portland Rescue Mission online application form found on our careers page: https://portlandrescuemission.hiringthing.com/job/902232/seasonal-food-service-and-catering-specialist
• Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Seasonal (Summer) Temporary - May 1, 2025- September 30, 2025
• Hours: 32-40 hours per week based on need, flexible days and times 
• Pay: Dependent on experience 
• Location: The Harbor - 10336 NE Wygant St. 
  • Virtual Tour: https://youtu.be/FaconfaNrJ4?si=MLlHw9YVKCdu04Ja
• Benefits: medical, dental, sick leave

THE PLACE 

The Harbor, Portland Rescue Mission’s men’s facility, located in NE Portland, is designed to support the restoration and growth of men impacted by homelessness, addiction, and life crises. This facility integrates addiction recovery, life-skills training, vocational development and spiritual growth in a safe, highly-relational environment. The ministry team of staff, interns, and volunteers serves to model Christ-like living to support the up to 36 participants in achieving lasting transformation.

FRESH START CATERING 

Fresh Start Catering is a social enterprise designed as a platform for culinary vocational development to teach job readiness skills to our New Life Ministry participants. All proceeds from Fresh Start Catering support the work of Portland Rescue Mission to give hope and restore life to hurting people in need. If you love food, working on a team and the excitement of growing a business, then you may be just the person for this opportunity.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position supports the operations of Fresh Start Catering and food service at The Harbor. This business exists as a critical arm of Portland Rescue Mission’s efforts to equip New Life Ministries participants with Culinary, Catering and Hospitality work skills and life skills related to career readiness in a real work environment. These skills will contribute to program participants leading transformed lives and being self-sufficient within their available resources.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Meal preparation for catering events, which may include assembling platters, breakfast, lunch or dinner meal preparation, loading, unloading and delivery.
• Follow, interpret and convert recipes; clean utensils, equipment and food preparation areas in accordance with sanitation guidelines; and perform other duties required to efficiently run a commercial food service kitchen.
• Ensure efficiency of catering operations, including but not limited to; event coordination, ordering/food procurement, inventory control, cost control, waste management, monitor quality of product and service provided, maintaining equipment (catering vehicles, smokers, etc.), 
• Managing health and safety standards as per County Health Dept., OSHA and ServSafe guidelines.
• Foster environment of continued growth and development by supporting Culinary Manager in the training and equipping of participants in Culinary Vocational Training Program; particularly that which pertains to catering
• Ensure all program participants, volunteers, catering customers and staff experience a high level of professionalism that communicates the value of each individual

BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a testimony of continued growth in faith
• Ministers as a highly-relational, Christ-centered, joyful servant
• Adheres to Portland Rescue Mission's Statement of Faith and Code of Ethics
• Valid driver's license in state of residence
• Customer Service or Catering experience preferred
• Current Food Handler’s Card preferred
• Able to lift 50-75 pounds unassisted
• Ability to stand for several hours at a time
• Experience in Microsoft Windows software

Equipment Used

Commercial kitchen equipment including but not limited to:

• Commercial and Old Hickery Smokers
• Grill and Grill Equipment
• Combi Ovens
• Tip pot
• Robot Coupe
• Steamer
• Slicer
• Knives
• Mixer
• Blender
• Dishwasher
• Ice Maker
• Telephone, fax and voice mail
• Computer
• Copier/Printer and related office equipment
• “Square” ipad POS system
• Catering vehicles

MISSION AND DISTINCTIVES

OUR MISSION

We exist to demonstrate the compassion of Christ

OUR UNIQUE APPROACH

From the first sandwich that was shared in 1949, to today's fully integrated emergency, recovery, and training services, Portland Rescue Mission is a highly relational ministry. The Mission builds supportive and caring communities, meets people at their point of need, equips them, and provides a path forward. In-depth partnership with churches and volunteers, multiple tiers of services and a focus on growing Christian disciples is fundamental to Portland Rescue Mission’s success.

OUR SUCCESS

New Life Ministries consistently sees an 80 % success rate of men and women who graduate the one-year comprehensive, New Life program