Dining Hall Food Service Assistant PartTime

Listen Community Services; White River Junction (VT); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

LISTEN Community Services seeks a Dining Hall Food Service Assistant to support their meal program by managing volunteers and ensuring a smooth meal preparation process. The role involves organizing tasks, fostering guest relationships, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. A compassionate attitude and flexibility are essential, as is willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial kitchen is beneficial.
• Ability to adapt and complete tasks as necessary.
• Willingness to obtain Food Safety certification.

Responsibilities

• Help organize tasks and manage volunteer activities for meal preparation.
• Ensure a welcoming environment for guests and assist with complaints.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation in dining hall and kitchen areas.

Skills

Flexibility

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Compassionate attitude

Education

High school diploma or GED preferred

Tools

Basic computer proficiency

Job description

POSITION: Dining Hall Food Service Assistant

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Hourly, Non-Exempt, Full-Time (Approx. 10-20 hours per week) Monday through Friday

SUPERVISOR: Community Meals Manager

OBJECTIVE: The Dining Hall Food Service Assistant supports LISTEN's free meal program based out of the dining hall at 42 Maple St, primarily by supporting volunteers in meal preparation.

PAY: $16.11/hour

Responsibilities:

1. Task Organization: You will plan using comprehensive daily task lists that detail the necessary steps for meal provision to our guests, determining which tasks are delegated and which will be performed by oneself. This list should be available to managers, other Dining Hall staff and volunteer members.
2. Volunteer Support: LISTEN's Dining Hall relies on Volunteers to help produce and serve meals to our guests. To ensure a rewarding experience for volunteers, you will be responsible for setting up workspaces with the necessary tools, ingredients, and equipment. You will explain to team members the dinner plans and their roles in that process. Helps ensure that volunteers are engaged and feeling useful. You may need to help them sign-in on the volunteer kiosk, explain basic food preparation procedures, jumping in when necessary, and ensure adherence to personal and food safety standards.
3. Meal Preparation/Service : Meals need to be completed and ready to serve promptly at their designated times. This often requires you jumping in to help. Balancing your participation with that of the volunteers is a large part of your day.
4. Guest Support and Management: Fostering a welcoming, safe, and friendly environment for all our guests is the end goal of our work. This means you may be called upon to address guest requests, feedback, and complaints promptly and professionally. You also may need to defuse situations or conflicts between guests occasionally. Guests may be referred to appropriate colleagues or services for additional support as needed.
5. Dining Hall and Kitchen Maintenance and Organization: Participate in and help oversee cleanliness and sanitation in all areas related to the dining hall, including food preparation areas, dining hall tables and floors, storage areas, coolers, lobby, restrooms, and outdoor areas. Delegate or share responsibilities with other staff as necessary.
6. Record Maintenance: Accurately log the number of clients served at each meal and volunteer hours worked to facilitate regular reporting. Utilize our volunteer database is required, which may include assisting volunteers in registration, time tracking, and record maintenance.
7. Additional Duties: Participate in regular staff meetings and training. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is preferred.

• Flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate with teammates in a fast-paced environment.

• Positive, compassionate attitude and a strong desire to help others are essential

• The ability to adapt and complete tasks as necessary.

• A mature and professional approach to receiving instruction.

• Experience in a commercial kitchen is beneficial, but interest in a culinary setting and a willingness to learn to cook is a must.

• Ability to set limits, enforce rules, defuse crisis situations, and use good judgment and initiative in problem solving

• Basic computer proficiency and familiarity required (e.g. use email and calendar system, type, use web browser).

• Willingness to obtain Food Safety certification.

• Respect for and ability to maintain confidentiality.

• A valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation.

• The ability to stand for extended periods.

• The ability to work in both hot (kitchen) and cold (walk-in freezer) environments.

• Willingness to provide information for background check processing (results will be reviewed on case-by-case basis)

• The ability to lift 50 pounds.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience: Previous experience working in a commercial kitchen is preferred, but a passion for cooking and community outreach is required.

Cognitive Skills: Ability to read, write, and verbally communicate effectively and professionally with coworkers and dining hall guests. The employee is frequently required to use written communication and is occasionally required to use math skills. Ability to diplomatically deal with difficult situations and people, while exhibiting a consistent level of professionalism.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to be on their feet, walking and standing. The employee is frequently required to reach, handle (hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hand or hands), finger (picking, pinching, fine manipulation). The employee is occasionally required to bend, squat, climb stairs, push and pull. The employee is occasionally required to crouch, kneel, balance, twist, and stretch. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move between 25-50lbs and minimally required to lift and/or move 50+lbs.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly exposed to noise and will occasionally be exposed to fumes from cooking and cleaning elements. The employee will also experience various temperatures while working in a commercial kitchen, from hot temperatures (while cooking equipment like ovens and stove tops are on) to cold temperatures (walk-in cooler and freezer).

LISTEN Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for employment opportunities. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact, [phone].

LISTEN Community Services is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.