Culinary Specialist

City Union Mission; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

City Union Mission is seeking a kitchen lead to maintain cleanliness and safety in our food service operations while supporting shelter guests, volunteers, and staff in Kansas City. The role involves following menus, preparing sack lunches, and ensuring health standards are upheld.

You will work with kitchen, warehouse, and shelter teams, host volunteers, and may cover holidays as needed, with a focus on accurate meal counts and donation tracking.

Qualifications

• Must obtain a Manager's level Food Safety certification within 90 days.
• Able to work cooperatively with other staff members, including shelter staff.
• Have the highest standards of hygiene and knowledge of Health Department standards.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Health Department cleanliness standards in kitchens at all times.
• Follow posted weekly Kitchen Menus as listed; get permission before changes.
• Help prepare sack lunches on a daily basis.
• Exercise food safety by using gloves and discarding spoiled or questionable foods.
• Work cooperatively with kitchen, warehouse, and shelter staff.
• Host volunteers.
• Supervise cleanup by shelter guests and volunteers.
• When problems arise, consult with the Food Service Administrator both verbally and in writing.
• May be asked to work a holiday if required by the Food Service Administrator.
• Track meal counts and record food donations.
• Open and/or close kitchens as scheduling demands dictate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Food Safety Cert

Teamwork

Hygiene standards

Education

High school diploma/GED

Quantity cooking experience

Job description

Job Outcome:

To maintain a team atmosphere in order that the food service of City Union Mission truly "ministers" to shelter guests, volunteers, and staff and where we provide nutritious attractive meals to shelter guests, staff and volunteers in adequate quantities.

Need to be available both morning and afternoon shifts (6am-2pm and 10:30am-6:30pm).

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Maintain Health Department standards for cleanliness in kitchens at all times.
• Follow posted weekly Kitchen Menus as listed. Get permission from Food Service Administrator before making any changes to the menu.
• Help prepare sack lunches on a daily basis.
• Exercise food safety by using food service gloves and by discarding all suspected contaminated, spoiled or very old foods that may cause any doubt that it should be served,
• Work cooperatively with other kitchen staff, kitchen helpers, warehouse staff, and shelter staff.
• Host volunteers.
• Supervise cleanup by shelter guests and/or volunteers.
• When problems arise from shelter guests, consult with Food Service Administrator verbally and with written documentation.
• May be asked to work a holiday if deemed necessary by Food Service Administrator.
• Track meal counts and record food donations.
• Ability to Open and/or Close kitchens as scheduling demands dictate so service interruptions are avoided.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

City Union Mission Requirements:

• Be a born-again, mature Christian able to clearly communicate the Gospel as opportunities arise during the workday. (1 Peter 2:21, 3:15)
• Have a desire to serve the Lord through widely varied responsibilities to advance ministry to those currently homeless, and the urban poor of Kansas City, with a compassionate heart.
• Agree to City Union Mission's Statement of Ministry:
  • Be a genuine believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, as expressed by personal testimony and conduct.
  • Be a member in good standing of a recognized protestant, evangelical church for one year or more.
  • Have a genuine concern for the ministry of City Union Mission.
  • Have a minimum of one year of sobriety from alcohol and illegal substances and six months from tobacco.
  • Agree to abstain from alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, and tobacco while employed by City Union Mission.
  • Have a lifestyle that is free of sexual sin as clearly defined in the Bible.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Have or obtain a Manager's level Food Safety certification from either the Health Department or ServSafe within 90 days of employment as a condition of continued employment.
• Be able to work cooperatively with other staff members, including shelter staff.
• Have the highest standards of hygiene and a thorough knowledge of Health Department standards.

Education and Experience:

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have quantity cooking experience and must love to cook.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting/standing for 8-hour shifts.
• Ability to use repeating motion with wrists, arms, and shoulders
• Must be able to lift 50lbs unassisted and must obtain assistance with equipment or co-worker for weights over 50lbs
• Must be willing to work in a hot kitchen environment.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to drive to our campuses in Kansas City.