Cook (On-Call) - Food Services

Health Right 360; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

HealthRIGHT 360, operating North County Serenity House, seeks an on-call Cook to manage meal prep for residents. The role emphasizes safety, sanitation, and cost-conscious menu planning while maintaining a supportive kitchen team environment.

The Cook will follow menus, supervise students/clients, and ensure proper food handling and storage in compliance with health codes. LA-area residents encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; culinary degree from a recognized culinary institution preferred.
• Current certification in food safety and sanitation.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Possess a valid CA driver's license.
• Experience in a professional kitchen and FIFO method is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure meals are balanced, nutritious, and appealing.
• Drive Food Services van to transport food and supplies between facilities.
• Follow the production menu and manage orders within budget.
• Oversee food storage, refrigeration, and inventory control.
• Train and support kitchen clients and maintain team morale.

Skills

Food safety

Sanitation

FIFO method

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Culinary degree (preferred)

Job description

This is a union eligible position. This is an On-Call position.

North County Serenity House, a Program of HealthRIGHT 360, was founded in 1966 to provide substance use disorder services in the community. North County Serenity House provides a gender-responsive and trauma-informed environment, using evidence-based and best practices that recognize and account for the role that trauma frequently plays in substance use and criminal histories of women. For clients with co-occurring mental illness, we provide integrated substance use and mental health services which treat both conditions as primary. Our residential facility serves up to 120 women (with capacity for up to 20 children under 5 years of age) seeking recovery from substance use disorders.

The Cook contributes to the program by both independently and collaboratively operating within a dynamic, team-centered kitchen environment. They oversee and carry out food preparation, ordering, and shopping activities in alignment with the agency's quality and budgetary goals. Additionally, the Cook prioritizes food safety, maintains proper sanitation standards, and adheres to the FIFO method, among other responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Food Service Responsibilities

• Ensure meals are well balanced, nutritious, and appealing.
• Reduce unnecessary costs whenever possible and utilize donations and creativity on menus.
• Follow the production menu.
• Orders food within budget and prepare food for residents and special events.
• Drive Food Services van to transport food, meals, and other supplies between facilities.
• Advise on possible improvements in efficiency, productivity, etc.

Food Storage and Safety Responsibilities

• Manage food storage, proper refrigeration, and inventory control.
• Maintain professional safety standards, cleanliness, and sanitation in accordance with health and safety codes.
• Ensure servicing and repair of equipment.
• Notify supervisor of equipment needs.

Treatment Setting Responsibilities

• Ensure that all kitchen client workers are familiar with agency and departmental policies, procedures, practices safe food handling and holds clients accountable.
• Train and evaluate clients assigned to kitchen.
• Maintain team spirit and morale within kitchen.
• Work as a team with Food Services and perform functions that further Department and Agency needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Certification, or Licensure

• High school diploma or equivalent required. A culinary degree from a recognized culinary institution preferred.
• Current certification in food safety and sanitation.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Possess a valid CA driver's license.

Experience

• Experience in a professional kitchen, preferably in various culinary roles.
• Experience with FIFO method.

Background Check and Other Requirements

• Capable of completing a background check and live scan.
• Applicants must not be on parole or probation due to funding regulations.
• Qualified candidates with a criminal record will be considered for employment.