WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INTERN

ABOUT DC CENTRAL KITCHEN:   

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. Our approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city. We serve scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; deliver fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets; provide delicious catering; and operate fast-casual cafes. Above all else, we are committed to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive community, both outside our doors and right here on our team. We strive to offer a safe environment to learn, discover, and develop individual strengths, and pursue meaningful career pathways. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we recognize and work to address the lasting effects of historic injustices and systemic racism, and we strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ people, returning citizens, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply to join our team.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

The Workforce Development department at DC Central Kitchen includes The Culinary Job Training program (CJT), which is a 14-week culinary arts program with an integrated curriculum that covers all facets of work in a professional kitchen. The program includes “hands-on” training taught by Culinary Arts Instructors. Our Mission is to offer training as a constructive solution to the problems of unemployment in our community. We use food as a tool to build community partnerships that support people who are making the transition to self-sufficiency. As healthy, affordable, and sustainable food is central to our mission, we expose our students to healthy cooking techniques and provide nutritional education, through the program. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This is an 8 week Fall Internship from 9/23/24 to 11/15/24

The Workforce Development Intern will assist the team with the coordination of projects and activities around recruitment, retention, engagement, and job placement efforts for the Culinary Job Training program. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the CJT team with activities that promote the vision, mission, and values of DC Central Kitchen and cultivate new and existing relationships with prospective and current students, alumni, and partners.
• Participate in the creation, planning, and implementation of new and ongoing CJT events to help drive recruitment and retention of students and engagement of alumni.
• Work with the CJT team to facilitate the participation of students and alumni in program activities.
• Assist with data collection, data entry, analysis, and management. Compile reports.
• Participate in team brainstorming meetings, using data to devise ways to improve CJT recruitment, engagement, and retention efforts.
• Provide administrative support and assistance with all program activities.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by management and / or duties and tasks needed to drive the vision, mission, and values of DC Central Kitchen.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Self-starter, comfortable working independently and collaboratively with a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills
• General knowledge and basic experience in project management 
• Energetic and creative
• Exceptional organizational skills 
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated cultural competence 
• Pre-employment background check, and drug test are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be capable of independent local travel.
• May occasionally move Audio/Visual and other office equipment or lightweight items weighing up to 20 pounds for various meeting and event needs. Some functions of this position may require moderate physical activity, including transporting, positioning, installing, or removing office equipment items, such as printers, computers, phones, and so on.
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office and commercial kitchen space to access supplies, materials, file cabinets, office machinery, etc.; constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; constantly positions self to access and maintain computer equipment; and must be able to remain in a stationary position for at least 50% of the time.
• Must be able to work in an environment where exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, dirt, smoke, loud noise, and a variety of odors is common.
• This job description is subject to change at any time. 

NOTE: 

This document is an outline of the primary tasks assigned and may be changed at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. All team members are expected to assist DC Central Kitchen in achieving its goals even if such tasks are beyond the scope of this outline. The job description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

DC Central Kitchen is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and a Strengths-based organization.