Cook - Residential Shelter

Community Teamwork; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 4 weeks and 12 holidays

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

401K after 6 months

Job summary

Community Teamwork in Lowell, MA is seeking a Shelter Cook to prepare and distribute healthy meals for up to 52 people in the shelter, providing one breakfast and one dinner daily as part of a seven-day kitchen operation.

Responsibilities include safe food handling, inventory control, recipe adjustments, coordinating with site staff, supervising Food Service Assistants, and ensuring compliance with all food safety standards and program requirements.

Qualifications

• General knowledge of food preparation and nutrition.
• Ability to be a team player in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass background check which includes fingerprinting.
• TB Risk Assessment and/or Mantoux results required annually.
• Physical Exam and immunizations (2 MMR or positive titer) required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for Church Street in accordance with program needs and applicable standards, following all conditions of the scope.
• Pickup, prepare and package meals, snacks, and supplies for Church Street, traveling to off-site locations, and meetings as needed.
• Adjust recipes, portion sizes, and quantities based on service demands.
• Assist with menu development, ordering, and use of standardized recipes.
• Receive, date, label, temperature-check, and properly store food and supplies.
• Maintain accurate inventory control using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) practices.
• Maintain strict food safety, allergen awareness, sanitation, and personal hygiene standards at all times.
• Ensure clean, organized, and safe work areas to prevent cross-contamination, including prep spaces, storage areas, equipment, and loading dock.
• Complete required daily, weekly, and monthly documentation such as temperature logs, waste logs, milk audits, etc.
• Pick up non-vendor food or supplies from local suppliers as needed.
• Support and mentor Food Service Assistants to promote safe food practices and professional growth.
• Ensures full compliance with all applicable local, state, federal, and agency requirements related to food safety, nutrition, recordkeeping, and program operations.
• Attend required meetings and trainings,
• Uphold CTI values of Equity, Integrity, and Compassion,
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Team player

Reliable transportation

Background check

TB risk assessment

Immunizations

Job description

Shelter Cook

Pay Range: $ 20.00 - $23.00 per hour

Company Overview

Community Teamwork is a private non-profit organization located in Lowell MA. We employee over 600 employees and are a catalyst for social change. We leverage our programs, our partnerships, and our collective voice to foster equity, compassion, and community engagement by creating housing, education, and economic opportunities.

Position Summary:

The Cook is responsible for preparing and distributing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks that meet the programmatic needs of up to 52 individuals in shelter. This must consist of one breakfast and dinner set-up for a kitchen that runs 7-days a week. This role ensures safe food handling, accurate production, inventory control, and daily operational compliance while supporting a collaborative kitchen environment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare healthy, nutritious meals and snacks for Church Street in accordance with program needs and applicable standards, following all conditions of the scope
2. Pickup, prepare and package meals, snacks, and supplies for Church Street, traveling to off-site locations, and meetings as needed
3. Adjust recipes, portion sizes, and quantities based on service demands
4. Assist with menu development, ordering, and use of standardized recipes
5. Receive, date, label, temperature-check, and properly store food and supplies
6. Maintain accurate inventory control using First-In, First-Out (FIFO) practices
7. Maintain strict food safety, allergen awareness, sanitation, and personal hygiene standards at all times
8. Ensure clean, organized, and safe work areas to prevent cross-contamination, including prep spaces, storage areas, equipment, and loading dock
9. Complete required daily, weekly, and monthly documentation such as temperature logs, waste logs, milk audits, etc.
10. Pick up non-vendor food or supplies from local suppliers as needed
11. Support and mentor Food Service Assistants to promote safe food practices and professional growth
12. Ensures full compliance with all applicable local, state, federal, and agency requirements related to food safety, nutrition, recordkeeping, and program operations.
13. Attend required meetings and trainings,
14. Uphold CTI values of Equity, Integrity, and Compassion,
15. Perform other related duties as assigned

The duties listed above are representative of the work performed. Other related duties may be assigned.

Qualifications:

1. General knowledge of food preparation and nutrition.
2. Ability to be a team player in a fast-paced environment.
3. Reliable transportation.
4. Ability to pass background check which includes fingerprinting
5. TB Risk Assessment and/or Mantoux results required annually.
6. Physical Exam and immunizations (2 MMR or positive titer) required

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Previous experience in food service operations.
2. 2 years of experience in cooking in CACFP environment preferred
3. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish, English/Khmer English/Portuguese)

Compensation and Benefits:

At Community Teamwork, our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. We offer:

• 4 Weeks of Paid Time Off - Paid Sick Leave - 12 paid holidays.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Company Paid Life Insurance - Critical Illness Insurance-Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement - Career Advancement and Professional Development Opportunities
• 5% employer contribution to your 401K retirement account after 6 months of employment
• Great co-workers and a great mission with an outstanding Community Action offering a chance to help make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

The base salary range represents the Agency's good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation within the range will be based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer - Vets/Disabled

This is an exciting opportunity to become an integral member of an innovative team in an organization committed to excellence.