Food/Restaurant Service Skills Trainer

Goodwill of Central Iowa; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid Time Off with increases after 1,

Career development and growth

15% employee discount at Goodwill of C

Meaningful impact

Job summary

Goodwill of Central Iowa is seeking a Food Skills Trainer to empower individuals with disabilities through classroom instruction, hands-on training, and ServSafe prep. You will mentor participants, deliver kitchen-based training, and help them gain confidence and employment readiness in a supportive environment.

The role emphasizes teaching, mentoring, and food-service expertise to advance our mission of making purposeful employment possible for all central Iowans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• At least one year of experience in food preparation, food service, or related field.
• Experience teaching, coaching, training, or mentoring others.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of varying abilities, team members, and the public.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Access to reliable transportation for regular participation in work.
• Ability to obtain ServSafe certifications and related credentials.
• Possession of valid Iowa driver’s license and insurable, with required liability coverage.
• Must be able to perform basic math and pass background checks.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate classroom and hands-on food preparation and training.
• Coach, mentor, and support participants in developing workplace and life skills.
• Provide training using ServSafe criteria and methods.
• Offer constructive feedback and individualized coaching.
• Track participant progress and maintain program documentation.
• Help plan, develop, and improve training curriculum and activities.
• Coordinate training supplies and equipment.
• Adapt teaching styles to learners with varying abilities.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive learning environment rooted in Love, Kindness, and Respect.

Skills

Teaching

Coaching

Communication

Mentoring

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Teams

Job description

Work To Support Our Mission of Making Purposeful Employment Possible in Central Iowa

Being a part of the Goodwill of Central Iowa team gives you a lot to feel good about. Whether you are working in our retail stores, providing direct support and training to our participants, or continuing your career at headquarters in operations or administrative support, you are making a difference in your community.

Learn how we are all working together to make purposeful employment possible for all central Iowans.

Location: Headquarters: 5355 NW 86th St.

Johnston, IA

Job Id:6400-2026

# of Openings:1

Do you enjoy teaching, coaching, and helping others succeed? Make an impact every day.
Have experience in food service, restaurant operations, or kitchen management? Put your skills to work in a meaningful way.
Believe in treating others with Love, Kindness, and Respect? We do too.
Looking for a career where you can help others gain confidence, independence, and employment skills? Goodwill of Central Iowa might be exactly what you're looking for.

Join Our Team!
As a Food Skills Trainer, you'll use your food service knowledge and coaching abilities to help individuals with disabilities develop valuable workplace skills. Through classroom instruction, hands‑on training, and ServSafe certification preparation, you'll empower participants to build confidence, achieve goals, and prepare for purposeful employment.
This role combines teaching, mentorship, and food service expertise to create meaningful opportunities for others while advancing Goodwill's mission of making purposeful employment possible for all.

What You'll Do

• Facilitate classroom and hands‑on food preparation and food service training.
• Coach, mentor, and support participants as they develop workplace and life skills.
• Provides training to participants using ServSafe criteria and methods.
• Provide constructive feedback, encouragement, and individualized coaching.
• Track participant progress and maintain required program documentation.
• Help plan, develop, and improve training curriculum and learning activities.
• Coordinate training supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Adapt teaching styles to meet the needs of learners with varying abilities.
• Collaborates with peers and departments to plan and facilitate training, equipment use, and scheduling.
• Maintain a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment rooted in Love, Kindness, and Respect.
• Maintain participant schedules, certification records, and required training documentation in accordance with organizational and funding requirements.
• Preform all other duties as assigned.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Competitive industry pay: $16.50 - $20.00 per hour based on relevant experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans - click here to learn more!
• Paid Time Off with increases after 1, 2, and 4 years of service
• Career development and growth opportunities
• 15% employee discount at Goodwill of Central Iowa retail stores
• Opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of others every day

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human services or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• At least one year of experience in food preparation, food service, restaurant operations, or a related field.
• Experience teaching, coaching, training, or mentoring others.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of varying abilities, team members, and the public.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Access to reliable transportation for regular participation in work.
• Ability to obtain certifications in ServSafe, ServSafe Instructor/Proctor, and Adult First Aid/CPR/AED
• Possession of valid Iowa Driver’s License, a good driving record, insurable, and able to provide proof of personal vehicle insurance with a minimum of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident auto insurance liability coverage.
• Must be able to perform basic math.
• Ability to pass criminal background, dependent adult abuse, and child abuse checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Supervisory, coaching, or teaching experience.
• Current ServSafe Certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain physically active throughout the workday.
• Ability to operate kitchen and food service equipment safely, including stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, knives, and related kitchen equipment.
• Ability to regularly lift, push, pull, or carry up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to move throughout training facilities and work environments as needed.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a variety of classroom, kitchen, and training environments. Flexibility and adaptability are important to support participant learning and program success.

Goodwill of Central Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability) and E-Verify Participant. The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

At goodwill,We Value Love Kindness and Respect

Explore the Benefits of Working at Goodwill of Central Iowa

Great benefit opportunities for both part‑time and full‑time employees including health benefits, PTO, 403B, Lifestyle Spending accounts, training and recognition programs and more. Learn more about our benefit opportunities when you work for Goodwill of Central Iowa.

Goodwill of Central Iowa and our affiliates are Equal Opportunity Employers (EOE/M/F/Vets/Disability) and E-Verify Participants.