Full Time Food Service Associate

Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries is seeking staff who are passionate about serving the homeless and impoverished in a Christ-centered environment. The role focuses on kitchen operations, meal production, and safe food handling within strict budget constraints.

The ideal candidate has Serv-Safe certification and a high school diploma, with the ability to prepare meals at scale and manage equipment efficiently. A ministry-focused lifestyle and teamwork are essential for daily duties.

Qualifications

• Serv-Safe Certified is required.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Candidate must maintain nicotine-free lifestyle as part of ministry values.

Responsibilities

• Uphold organizational culture and values based on grace and vision.
• Provide three meals per day for guests within a very limited budget.
• Lead weekly meal planning and coordinate donations and receipts.
• Assist Kitchen Manager with accepting and processing donations.
• Ensure donated food is properly dated and stored.
• Maintain and train others on kitchen equipment and safety procedures.
• Operate food services in compliance with Serv-Safe, USDA and OSHA standards.

Skills

Ethical decision-making

Meal prep at scale

Kitchen equipment operation

Education

Serv-Safe Certified

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Computer

Phone

Job description

Thank you for your interest in Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries. We are seeking applicants who are qualified, who really love people and who, by the pattern of their lives, are role models and want to spread the good news (gospel).

Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries is a NICOTINE FREE MINISTRY.

We desire that all applicants feel comfortable in a Christian environment. All Staff members participate in prayer and Bible Study and need to be comfortable with a lifestyle of prayer and worship that is integrated into day-to-day job functions. As a result, the following information is requested as a bona fide occupation qualification.

In your Cover Letter or Resume Please include 3 References, Name, phone, email and Relationship. Please exclude family and close friends. You can include your Pastor.

General Description:

The Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries is a privately funded 501(c)3 non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry. Our designated purpose is religious, and we are a Christ-centered ministry which is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping the homeless and impoverished. We consider every position to be essential in the fulfillment of our ministry and statement of purpose. As such, each employee must have a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

Essential Functions:

• As a member of staff, uphold, promote, and encourage, in word and deed, desired organizational culture and values; purposefully seek to establish and maintain a culture that is based on grace and affirms and advances KGM’s vision and purpose.
• Utilizing a very limited budget, insure that three meals per day are provided for guests.
• Responsible for weekly meal planning and preparation donations.
• Support Kitchen Manager in: Accepting donations, processing donations, and providing receipts.
• Ascertain what donations can be used.
• Designate surplus donation within community for consumption and minimization of waste.
• Ensure donated food is properly dated.
• Ensure all equipment is properly maintained and in working order. Train others in correct utilization.
• Operate all food services in compliance with established health and safety standards including The Serv-Safe, USDA and OSHA.
• Train volunteers and guests in proper safety and food handling procedures.
• Accurately report daily meal count.
• Mentor/disciple guests assigned to work in kitchen.
• Maintain storage of all food and non-food items.
• Interface with program staff to facilitate guest’s completion of daily Christian Service Hours.
• Responsible to train, supervise/oversee guest and volunteers.
• Oversee the organization, maintenance and cleanliness of all Food Service equipment and storage areas under the direction of the Kitchen Manager and Director of Food Service.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of emergency food baskets when needed.
• Promote a Trauma Informed Culture

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Highly ethical with the ability to make smart, timely decisions.
• Ability to produce meals to scale, serving up to and potentially more than 400 meals at a time
• Know how to function a tilt skillet, steamer, oven, flat top, grill, and other commercial kitchen equipment.
• Basic computer skills

Personal Attributes and Values:

• Have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to serve Him.
• Be a consistent witness for Jesus Christ
• Exhibit spiritual maturity as defined by evangelical biblical standards and in accordance with the employee handbook.
• Have a heart of compassion and caring toward the homeless and hurting and a passion about ministering life transformation in an urban setting.
• Demonstrates a courteous and Christ-like manner with internal and external partners
• Highly ethical with the ability to make smart, rapid decisions; demonstrates excellent integrity.
• Flexible, cooperative spirit
• Remain calm under pressure
• Attitude of perseverance in fast paced environment.
• Possess and promote a drug, nicotine free lifestyle.

Working Conditions/Physical Factors:

Occasionally = 1%-33%; Frequently = 34%-66%; Continuously = 67%-100%

• Work in varying temperatures from 0 to 110 degrees between winter and summer, coolers and freezers.
• Reaching: Frequently
• Climbing: Frequently, stairs, ramp
• Lifting: Frequently, up to 50lbs
• Bending: Frequently

Equipment/Tools Used:

• Computer
• Phone

Education/Experience and/or Certification:

• Serv-Safe Certified
• High School Diploma/GED

The pay range for this role is:

16 - 16 USD per hour (Kalamazoo Gospel Mission)