Kitchen Assistant

Kenai — Kenai Senior Center; Kenai (AK); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Kenai Senior Center is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support meal preparation, service, and clean-up for senior programs in Kenai, Alaska. The role involves daily contact with seniors and the public, with duties including food prep, dishwashing, and maintaining kitchen areas.

Applicants must be at least 18, pass a background check, and obtain a state food handler card and CPR/First Aid certification within 30 days of hire. Regular attendance is expected.

Qualifications

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
• Must pass a background check to meet requirements for working with vulnerable populations.
• Must obtain a State of Alaska food handler's card within thirty (30) days of employment.
• Must obtain a CPR/First Aid certificate within thirty (30) days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, packaging, serving, and distribution of meals for congregate and home-delivered programs.
• Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, and food preparation equipment.
• Maintain kitchen, pantry, dining, and food service areas.
• Assist with receiving, storing, organizing and maintaining food and kitchen supplies.
• Provide courteous service to City employees, seniors, and the public.
• Perform tasks with minimal or no supervision.
• Attend department training and other continuing education programs.
• Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.

Job description

Job Description

The Kitchen Assistant is an employee of the City of Kenai working under direction of the Senior Center Director. The Kitchen Assistant performs kitchen duties such as food preparation, stocking, dish washing, and cleaning. The Kitchen Assistant performs some work helping with dining room functions. This position requires daily contact with senior citizens and the general public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation, packaging, serving, and distribution of meals and food items for congregate and home-delivered meal programs.
• Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, food preparation equipment, work surfaces, and other kitchen areas.
• Maintain kitchen, pantry, dining, and food service areas.
• Assist with receiving, storing, organizing and maintaining food and kitchen supplies.
• Provide courteous service to City employees, seniors, and members of the public.
• Perform tasks with minimal or no supervision.
• Attend Department training and other continuing education programs.
• Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a background investigation, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet requirements for using record networks and as may be required by federal or state agencies to work with vulnerable populations such as senior citizens
• Possess or obtain a food handler’s card issued within thirty (30) days of employment to meet State of Alaska food safety requirements.
• Possess or obtain a valid CPR/First Aid certificate issued by the American Heart Association (or other approved entity) within thirty (30) days of employment

Supplemental Information

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is typically in a commercial kitchen and in a community room setting, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. The employee is frequently exposed to extreme heat and cold (non-weather) as well as to moving mechanical parts and electrical energy. The employee may have to work on uneven and occasionally wet and slippery surfaces and is exposed to raw vegetable and animal products and water. The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods and to walk, stoop, crouch, bend, twist, lift, and reach with hands and arms. Manual dexterity, including gripping and some fine motor skills, is required to complete most tasks. The employee must occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force, including lifting dishware and stocking supplies.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.