Cook

Insight Housing; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Dental & Vision

Holidays & Mental Health Days

Retirement Plan with a match

Paid Training

10-year anniversary sabbatical

Flexible Spending Accounts

Professional Development Allowance

Paid Parental Leave

Pet Insurance discounts

Affordable Health Insurance with free?

Job summary

Insight Housing in Berkeley is seeking a Cook to support the Meals Program, preparing and distributing meals for shelter residents. The role involves daily cooking, ensuring sanitation, inventory help, and coordinating with shelter staff to meet client needs.

Candidates should have CA Food Handler’s Certification or be willing to obtain it, CPR/First Aid training, and at least one year of food prep experience. A valid CA driver license and ability to drive to multiple sites are required.

Qualifications

• CA Food Handler’s Certification (or ability to obtain certification upon hire)
• CPR/First Aid Training required or obtainable
• At least one year of food prep or cooking experience in a restaurant or group setting
• Maintain flexible schedule and be available on short notice; overtime may be required
• Commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds
• Lived experience strongly preferred; computer skills a plus

Responsibilities

• Cook daily meals.
• Ensure proper safety and sanitation in food preparation and serving.
• Wash dishes and clean kitchen and storage areas.
• Assist with menu prep and inventory management.
• Coordinate with shelter staff to assess needs and provide support.
• Drive agency vehicle to deliver meals as assigned.
• Host and serve Community Meals and support volunteers and setup/breakdown.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

CPR/First Aid Training

Flexibility

Communication skills

Customer service

Computer skills

Education

CA Food Handler’s Certification

Tools

CA Driver's license

Job description

Compensation: $25/hour

Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-6:30pm

Benefits:

• Free Dental & Vision
• 19 Paid Holidays- Including 4 Mental Health Days
• Retirement Plan with a match
• Paid Training
• 10-year anniversary sabbatical
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Professional Development Allowance
• Paid Parental Leave benefit
• Discounted Pet Insurance
• Affordable Health Insurance, including a free healthcare option for employees
• 50% coverage paid by employer for dependents (vision, dental, health)
• and many more!

Company Overview

For more than 50 years, Insight Housing has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in seven counties in the bay area - Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated to our missionof ensuring everyone in our community has a home through supportive, equitable, and sustainable housing solutions.

Program Overview

The Insight Housing Meals Program serves nutritious and delicious meals to people who are experiencing food and/or housing insecurity. We have a large commercial kitchen and dining room at the Hope Center in Berkeley and serve 3 meals per day to the 32-bed Men’s Shelter and 12-bed Veterans at the Transitional Housing programs as well as deliver food to other residential programs in Berkeley. During the weekdays, we provide a sit-down Community Meal for over 100 diners.

Position Summary

Under supervision of the Program Manager, the Cook provides key support to our meals program at our Berkeley locations, primarily focusing on preparing and distributing meals and completing all tasks related to meeting the food needs of our clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Cook daily meals.
• Ensure proper safety and sanitation in food preparation and serving.
• Wash dishes, clean kitchen and food storages areas, and complete other cleaning tasks as needed.
• Assist with menu prepping.
• Assist with inventory (ordering, receiving, organization) and program statistics (collecting and reporting).
• Coordinate with shelter manager and resident advocates to assess program needs and provide support.
• Drive agency vehicle to deliver meals to various agency sites as assigned.
• Perform all tasks necessary for hosting and serving our Community Meal, including but not limited to setup/breakdown, directing volunteers, serving food, light janitorial, and security.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment consistent with agency’s health and safety practices.
• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Complete and submit timesheets in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work within the framework of Insight Housing’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of food safety procedures and possession of CA Food Handler’s Certification (or ability to obtain certification upon hire)
• Ability to complete CPR/First Aid Training
• At least one year of food prep or cooking experiencein a restaurant or group setting.
• Maintain flexible schedule and be available to work shifts on short notice and to work overtime when required for on call staff
• Commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Understanding of and sensitivity to issues related to homeless, low income, mentally disabled, and chemically dependent persons.
• Lived experience strongly preferred.
• Computer skills is a plus
• Ability to interact in a supportive and professional manner with staff and clients of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to provide good customer service. Communicate effectively and maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good interpersonal and crisis intervention skills with a can do and flexible attitude. Ability to work well under high pressure.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude, and appearance at all times.

Special Requirements

• This position requires frequent driving. A valid California driver license and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies.
• Must be able to receive and maintain criminal records clearance.
• Must be able to obtain TB clearance.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, talk, hear, and see clearly.
• May be occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• May be required to lift or move up to 50 lbs.

We are extremely proud of our diverse team and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.