Cafe Coordinator

Inspiration Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 20,911 - 29,783; Part time

Job summary

Inspiration Corporation in Chicago is seeking a part-time Cafe Coordinator to ensure smooth operations of the Inspiration Café dining room, supervise volunteers, and maintain a welcoming, safe environment for program participants during breakfast service. Responsibilities include setting up and cleaning the cafe, coordinating meal service, collecting orders, and supporting back-of-house staff.

The role requires strong English communication, sensitivity to diverse populations, and adherence to

Qualifications

• Ability to accept, understand and relate sensitively to people of varied social, economic, racial, cultural, and experiential backgrounds.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; Spanish-speaking a plus.
• Harm reduction and trauma-informed care knowledge, or willingness to learn.
• Previous experience with homelessness or interest in underserved populations.
• Willingness to work agency holidays with additional pay.

Responsibilities

• Oversee meal service to program participants with dignity and respect.
• Train and supervise volunteers and coordinate dining room setup and cleanup.
• Ensure accurate meal orders and proper handling of dishes for dishwashing.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and positive café environment during meals.
• Communicate incidents to Cafe Program Supervisor promptly and de-escalate conflicts as needed.
• Attend staff meetings and mandatory trainings; support data collection for meals and bag lunches.

Skills

English proficiency

Interpersonal communication

Cultural sensitivity

De-escalation

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Cafe Coordinator

Department: Housing and Homeless Engagement Services

Reports to: Cafe Program Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt / Part-time

Hourly Rate: $18.40/hour

Schedule of breakfast hours M-F 5:30 am – 9:30 am.

Overview

In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.

In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant-driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.

• Integrity– We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
• Growth– We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
• Equity– We recognize each person’s inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
• Resilience– We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care.
• Hospitality– We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.

Inspiration Corporation believes that these values are central to our work with participants and one another, and they create a culture we all have a stake in.

Position Summary

The Cafe Coordinator is part of the Homeless Engagement team and supports meals served to program participants at Inspiration Café. The Cafe Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the successful operations of dining room, training and supervision of volunteer servers, setting up and cleaning the café before and after service, and maintaining a positive and respectful environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

GENERAL

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
• Communicate with Cafe Program Supervisor about attendance/scheduling changes in a timely manner.
• Ensure the efficient and effective provision of meals with dignity and respect in accordance with the agency’s mission.
• Work with all departments as appropriate to ensure that the needs of the agency’s participants are addressed.
• Attend department and agency meetings.

cafe Coordination

• Ensure timely services of meals in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.
• Ensure the proper set up and clean-up of the café space.
• Maintain a positive, organized, and safe milieu during scheduled meals at the cafe.
• Ensure Code of Conduct and agency policies are upheld during meals with fairness and consistency.
• Greet, serve, and communicate with all participants professionally including; serving of beverages and snacks, collecting meal orders and properly collecting used silverware and dishes for dishwashing.
• Assist back-of-house staff when needed including; garbage disposal, dishwashing, meal preparation and cooking and plating.
• Assist with janitorial responsibilities in a timely manner; cleaning restrooms, dining space, sweeping and mopping, sanitizing chairs and tables.
• Complete meal applications for recertifying and new applicants and submit to Cafe Program Supervisor.
• Work alongside Cafe Program Supervisor to oversee supplies and pantry.
• Supervise, assist, and train volunteer servers while upholding agency values.
• Ensure accurate and consistent data collection and reporting for meals service and bagged lunch distribution, including names, services or supplies provided and other info.
• Communicate all incidents to the Cafe Program Supervisor in a timely manner.
• Effectively address and resolve conflict between participants using de-escalation techniques.
• Act in a professional manner at all times and maintain appropriate boundaries with participants, volunteers and staff.
• Remain alert to potentially unsafe situations and respond to maintain a safe environment for all.
• Demonstrate openness, respect and cultural competence for lived experience, cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and co-workers.
• Report building maintenance issues to Cafe Program Supervisor or IC Helpdesk email in their absence
• Contact emergency personnel for situations that require the assistance of fire, ambulance, police, or mental health emergency professionals.
• Attend and participate in cafe staff meetings and supervision with Café Program Supervisor.
• Attend and participate in mandatory trainings and other agency meetings as scheduling permits.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and staff meetings as appropriate.
• Report to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Opportunities to work/get additional hours in the resource room or cafe may be available. In this instance, resource room training will be provided.

INDIRECT SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Utilizes staff/volunteers to ensure satisfactory completion of all goals and responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to accept, understand and relate sensitively to people of varied social, economic, racial, cultural, and experiential backgrounds.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English to communicate with participants, volunteers and staff and to take Cafe orders in English. Spanish-speaking a plus.
• Previous knowledge of harm reduction and trauma-informed care, or ability to learn best practices.
• Previous experience working with people experiencing homelessness a plus, or interest in working with underserved populations.
• Willingness and ability to work agency holidays that fall on weekdays (with appropriate additional pay) to ensure the complete staffing of our meals service schedule.

EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:

Previous experience working in the food service industry and/or working with homeless populations. Chicago Food & Sanitation License preferred (or IC can provide training to earn Manager-level sanitation license, required within 3 months of hire))

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is regularly required to stand. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and be able to mop, dispose of trash, perform other cleaning tasks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Attends evening, weekend, and early morning meetings and functions as required.

Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer