Extra Help - Nutrition Services

Lane County, OR; Oregon (WI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Lane County Youth Services is seeking an Extra Help Culinary Art Assistant to support Nutrition Services for justice-involved youth. The role involves meal prep, campus catering, and culinary education activities, working directly with youth to build skills and positive connections.

This position contributes to a safe Nutrition Services environment, may involve de-escalation in crises, and requires pass of a background check and drug screening with ServSafe certification within 6 months.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting youth in culinary, educational, or correctional settings.
• Knowledge of food safety practices and food handling.
• Ability to mentor youth and maintain a positive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Support meal and snack preparation for youth in detention and education programs.
• Assist with campus and community catering, garden, greenhouse, and culinary education activities.
• Interact with youth to build skills, responsibility, and positive connections.
• Assist with maintaining a safe Nutrition Services environment; may include crisis de-escalation.

Skills

Food preparation

Verbal de-escalation

Youth mentoring

Tools

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Starting Hourly Wage: $26.11

About the Position

Lane County Youth Services is accepting applications for an Extra Help Culinary Art Assistant to support Nutrition Services for justice-involved youth. Nutrition Services prepares approximately 30,000 meals and snacks each year for youth in the 32-bed detention program and those participating in education and work crew activities through the Martin Luther King Jr. Education Center.

The Culinary Art Assistant supports meal and snack preparation, campus and community catering, and garden, greenhouse, and culinary education activities. The position works directly with youth, using food preparation and culinary programming as opportunities to build skills, responsibility, and positive connections.

This position fosters positive youth development through guidance and mentoring of youth participating in culinary education programs while helping maintain a safe and secure Nutrition Services environment within the detention facility. The role may require verbal de-escalation and, when necessary, physical intervention in crisis situations involving youth experiencing violent or dysregulated behavior.

About the Division

The Youth Services Division operates 24/7, has approximately 65 full-time staff, six program units, and is located in three different buildings on the John Serbu Youth Campus in Eugene, Oregon. The division is comprised of the following units:

Administration: Division planning and management, data, grants administration, information systems, and administrative support.

Juvenile Department: Screening, assessment, diversion, and probation services.

Detention: 16-bed detention facility, and 16-bed secure treatment detention program serving youth ages 12-19, including youth being held on adult criminal charges, and health services (medical, dental, mental health, and psychiatric) for youth.

Clinical Services: Clinical outpatient and youth and family skills support.

Martin Luther King (MLK) Education Center: A collaboration between the division and Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD).

Nutrition Services: Provides approximately 30,000 meals and snacks per year to youth housed in Detention and youth in school and on vocational crews at and through the MLK Education Center.

The work of the division is complex and covers multiple, diverse subject matter areas, governed by multiple regulatory bodies and requiring specialized knowledge. The division is deeply focused on cultivating a positive workplace culture and addressing long standing structural and cultural deficits. If you are driven to serve youth and families, this is the job for you!

Schedule

Shift will vary based on operational needs.

*This is a non-represented position*

*Extra Help employees may work up to a maximum of 520 hours per fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027.

Training & Experience

• An equivalent combination of one year of experience and training that will demonstrate the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Preferred experience

• Experience working with youth or young adults in a correctional, treatment, educational, or care giving settings, or working with youth or young adults in a community setting providing education, coaching, guidance, mentoring, or support in recreational activities, skills or competency-based activities, cultural connection, or self-enrichment activities (such as music, art, cooking or food preparation, physical exercise, brain health education, independent living, or vocational training).
• Experience or knowledge in commercial food preparation practices and/or catering operations.

Notes

• This position is subject to a full criminal information record check.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon consenting to and successfully passing a drug screening test.
• Food Handler’s Card is required within 30 days from the date of hire.
• Candidate Must be ServSafe Food Safety certified within 6 months of employment.

DRIVER’S LICENSE

Must be in possession of a valid Oregon driver's license at time of application and as a requirement of ongoing employment.

Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

Strategic Plan

In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.

The 2025 - 2027 Strategic Plan focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.

Trauma Informed Care Statement

Trauma-informed care is an approach used to engage people with histories of trauma. It recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma can play in people’s lives. Trauma-informed criminal justice responses can help to avoid re-traumatizing individuals.

Lane County is committed to providing services using Trauma Informed Care practices. As an organization, we recognize that many of the people we serve have experienced trauma, either currently, recently, or in their past. Our agency is dedicated to incorporating an understanding of trauma, both with our clients and with each other.