Cafe Manager/Chef

Conejo Recreation Park and District; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Conejo Recreation Park and District is seeking a skilled kitchen supervisor to oversee meal service operations, plan menus, and manage inventory. You will coordinate food preparation for on-site dining and train kitchen staff, including volunteers, to ensure safety and quality.

The role involves handling ordering processes, maintaining records, and collaborating with vendors to meet dietary needs and budget constraints.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret menus and recipes.
• Experience in planning meals and managing kitchen inventory.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee meal service operations including food preparation, menu planning, and inventory and ordering.
• Train kitchen staff and volunteers on procedures and safety standards.
• Ensure accurate supply deliveries and proper storage of goods.
• Maintain digital records and assist with budget tracking.

Skills

Food prep

Menu planning

Inventory management

Vendor relations

Education

High school diploma or GED

2000 hours food-service experience

Job description

Summary

Under general supervision, oversees meal service operations including food preparation, menu planning, and inventory and ordering service products and produce; monitors kitchen staff; and performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Establishes rotating breakfast and lunch menus, researches recipes and cooking methods, assembles the necessary ingredients, prepares meals for on-site dining, and serves meals to participants.
• Estimates appropriate food requirements for projected number of patrons; places orders for food and non-food items.
• Inspects food and rotates items for use to maximize freshness, discards out-of-date items, and monitors food stocks and supplies to meet patrons’ dietary needs.
• Ensures accurate supply deliveries, proper storage of produce to extend shelf life, and appropriate breakdown of orders for inventory and budget tracking; assigns orders to correct accounts.
• Researches nutritional needs of base customers, attends meetings with vendors, educators and dietitians to expand knowledge of recipe modifications, plate presentation and nutritious food preparation.
• Maintains accurate digital records pertaining to food preparation standards and kitchen procedures; maintains clean and sanitary service areas, facilities and equipment in accordance with state health department rules and regulations.
• Provides training and instruction for kitchen staff, including volunteers, on meal preparation procedures and standards, and proper operations of a commercial kitchen according to District guidelines to ensure compliance with all safety and health regulations.
• Accurately collects payments from customers; timely earmarks and directs invoices from vendors for proper accounting of charges.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with partner agencies and food and supply vendors; interacts positively with customers and volunteers.
• Maintains professional knowledge of food service delivery and serves as commercial kitchen expert to Health Department personnel during annual inspections.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• May be required to drive District or personal vehicle.
• Participates during disasters or when emergency response is needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability listed below is qualifying.

Education/Experience

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and 2,000 hours of relevant work or volunteer experience related to food-service delivery; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Language Ability

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Effectively communicate in English. Prepare routine written correspondence using correct spelling and grammar.

Math Ability

Principles of basic mathematical functions including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in whole numbers, fractions and decimals.

Reasoning Ability

Effective use of common sense and sound judgement in solving customer-related issues and concerns.

Certificates and Licenses

• First Aid & CPR/AED within 90 days of employment with ability to maintain certifications thereafter as a condition of employment.
• Valid California driver’s license with a good driving record and current automobile insurance.
• Possession of a Food Handler’s Card or ServSafe Food Handler's Card or the ability to acquire one within the first month of employment.
• Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.
• Proof of a negative TB skin test.

Other Required Skills

Principles and practices of effective customer service, accepted industry practices of operating a commercial kitchen. Ability to establish effective relationships with fellow employees, volunteers, and internal and external customers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. The employee may provide guidance or direction to other employees and to volunteers who perform work in the café or kitchen.

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a kitchen and cafeteria environment where the noise level is usually moderate. The employee occasionally works in extreme heat or cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and biological hazards.

Physical Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand or walk; use hands or fingers to touch, handle or feel; use hands and arms to reach; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. Vision requirements include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; the ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly required to lift up to up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Physical demands may vary according to unit assignment.

Selection Process

Based on the information provided in the application documents, those candidates with the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Not all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Be sure to include all pertinent information regarding your education and experience. Fill out the application completely; blank spaces may cause rejection; do not refer to resume. Falsification or omission of material fact is cause for rejection, removal from the eligibility list, or dismissal. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Cover letters and resumes are encouraged and must be submitted online as attachments with the fully completed application. Applications must be submitted online by the filing deadline, or when the listed number of applications are received, whichever occurs first.

Examination

Candidate selection will be based on competitive examinations. Test content will be related to the job. A driver license will be requested for identification and admission to the testing area. If there is more than one part to an examination, candidates must pass each part. Candidates with passing scores will be asked to compete in successive parts of the examination.

• Written Test/Practical Exercise: A written test and a practical exercise may be used, in addition to the appraisal interview.
• Appraisal Interview: A job related appraisal interview will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job.
• After the Appraisal Interview, the top candidates will be invited to a staff interview.

All applicants will receive a written response to their standing in the selection process.

NOTE

NOTE: THE DISTRICT DOES NOT REIMBURSE APPLICANTS FOR TRAVEL, LODGING, OR OTHER EXPENSES RESULTING FROM THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE SELECTION PROCEDURE.

In accordance with the Immigration and Control Act of 1986, the Conejo Recreation and Park District must verify that all new employees have written proof of their right to work in the United States at the time of hire.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

The District encourages applications from qualified individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals who will require a reasonable accommodation to take a test a part of the selection process must notify Human Resources. Applicants with disabilities that affect sensory, manual or speaking skills may be provided with a test in a format that does not require the use of the impaired skill. Persons requesting reasonable accommodation will be required to provide documentation of such need.

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. This posting may close at any time without advance notice.