Assistant Head Chef

Valley Youth House; Arlington Knolls (PA); On-site; USD 13,000 - 15,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orientation program

PTO

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Disability insurance

FSA (pre-tax)

Wellness programs

Referral program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Valley Youth House is seeking a Seasonal Camp Assistant Head Chef in Orefield to lead daily scratch cooking for up to 150 campers and staff. You will supervise kitchen staff, monitor safety, manage inventory, and ensure allergen-free options meet dietary needs.

Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including health coverage, PTO, retirement matching, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for professional growth during the summer camp season.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Active ServSafe Food Handler Certification required.
• Ability to obtain PA background clearances.
• ServSafe Manager Certification preferred (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals for up to 150+ campers and staff daily with scratch and batch cooking.
• Assist Head Chef with inventory, receiving, and FIFO stock rotation.
• Enforce food safety standards and allergen-free meal preparation.
• Lead dining hall assistants and kitchen staff during meal shifts.
• Maintain temperature logs and ensure sanitation per health codes.

Skills

Food safety awareness

Team supervision

Allergen management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Active ServSafe Food Handler Certification

PA background clearances (PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History, FBI fingerprints)

ServSafe Manager Certification preferred

Job description

Position: Seasonal - Camp Assistant Head Chef.

Seasonal: ($13k to $15k).

Location: Orefield.

The Organization:

Valley Youth House empowers and strengthens the lives of children, youth, and families through inclusive programming that builds resilience and fosters growth and independence. VYH works from a Trauma Informed / Healing centered perspective, incorporating positive youth and human development and cultural awareness into all aspects of our agency. We want our clients and staff to feel safe, have choice and voice, collaborate in a trusting environment, and be empowered to make a difference in their own lives and the agency.

Why Should You Apply?

• An extensive orientation program to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
• Competitive compensation package with paid time off (PTO) to promote work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, including prescription benefits.
• Enroll in our 401(k)-retirement plan and enjoy a company match to secure your financial future.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Take advantage of our pre-tax spending accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care FSA).
• Health and wellness programs to support your overall well-being.
• Referral program where you can earn rewards for bringing talented individuals to our team.
• Tuition reimbursement program to fuel your professional growth.

Essential Functions of the Camp Assistant Head Chef:

• Meal Preparation, Batch Cooking, and Service: Execute daily scratch and batch cooking, food preparation, plating, and service for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for up to 150+ campers and staff daily. Maintain food quality, taste, temperature control, and presentation standards while ensuring meals are served on schedule.
• Inventory Assistance, Stocking, and Receiving: Assist the Head Chef with receiving food deliveries, inspecting shipments for quality and accuracy, stocking walk-in coolers/freezers, and maintaining proper FIFO (First-In, First-Out) stock rotation. Monitor daily inventory levels of food, paper goods, and cleaning supplies to help prevent shortages and minimize waste.
• Special Dietary Accommodations and Food Safety: Prepare dedicated, safe substitute meals and snacks for campers and staff with food allergies (e.g., gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free) and special dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, religious). Enforce strict sanitation standards, cross-contamination prevention, food safety practices, and temperature logging throughout the kitchen and dining facilities.

Core Functions of the Camp Assistant Head Chef:

• Shift Supervision & Team Guidance: Lead dining hall assistants and dishwasher staff during meal shifts; step in as acting kitchen lead during the Head Chef's scheduled days off or absence.
• Allergen & Cross-Contamination Management: Review daily camper allergy logs and strictly follow protocol when preparing allergen-free dishes in dedicated prep area.
• Kitchen Sanitation & Closing Routines: Oversee daily kitchen cleanup, dishwashing, workstation sanitization, trash removal, and end-of-day facility securing according to health department codes.
• Equipment Monitoring & Maintenance: Assist in operating and maintaining commercial kitchen equipment, recording temperature logs for refrigerators and freezers, and reporting any maintenance issues to the Head Chef.

Minimum Qualifications of the Camp Assistant Head Chef:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in commercial cooking, food preparation, or institutional food service.
• Active ServSafe Food Handler Certification (ServSafe Manager Certification preferred, or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Solid understanding of commercial kitchen equipment, culinary prep techniques, and food safety standards.
• Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record.
• Ability to successfully pass all required PA background clearances (PA Child Abuse clearance, PA Criminal History check, and FBI Fingerprinting.

Physical Requirements of the Camp Assistant Head Chef:

• Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, reach, bend, stoop, and perform continuous physical labor for up to 8-10 hours per shift during peak summer camp operations; ability to lift and carry food cases, pots, and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Kitchen Environment: Regular exposure to heat from ovens, grills, and steam tables, as well as wet/slippery floors, dishroom humidity, and cold environments (walk-in coolers and freezers).
• Flexible Hours: Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays during peak camp and retreat seasons.

**If eligible: Medical, vision, and prescription benefits available after the first month of hire, Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Off, 401k -6% match, Employer-paid clearances, physical, and training, Opportunities for Tuition reimbursement, Opportunities for licensure supervision hours for LCSW and LPC.**