Kitchen Assistant

Homeless Alliance; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

The Homeless Alliance is seeking a Kitchen Assistant to support the Kitchen Manager and volunteers in preparing and serving hot meals at the OKC Day Shelter. You will help with cooking, inventory, and maintaining quality standards in a compassionate, people-centered environment.

Responsibilities include driving to collect donated food, preparing meals using various kitchen equipment, ensuring cleanliness, and helping with meal service while upholding safety and ethical standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• One year or more of food preparation experience

Responsibilities

• Drive box truck to and from Homeless Alliance Campus to pick up donated food items
• Be able to accurately track the quantities and value of items and report that data to Development and Administration Leadership
• Coordinate schedules and plan routes with In-Kind Donation Specialist
• Prepares a variety of meals for cooking in broilers, ovens, grills, tilt skillet and various kitchen equipment
• Oversee meal service and engage with guests during meals.
• Identify and communicate operational issues in the kitchen with supervisor
• Prep meals for the following day
• Understand and maintain ethical standards for donations
• Follow weekly cleaning and upkeep as determined by kitchen manager
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen in compliance with Health Department regulations
• Maintain good rapport with guest, volunteers, staff and stakeholders
• Application of the FIFO method to ensure quality and safety of all ingredients
• Plan and carry-out meal-time in the event that the Kitchen Manager is absent

Skills

Valid Driver's License

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: OKC Day Shelter - Oklahoma City, OK 73106Salary Range: $14.00 - $16.00 HourlyJob Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Kitchen Assistant works with the Kitchen Manager, AARP workers and volunteers to serve hot meals at the Homeless Alliance Day Shelter. Additional areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to: Utilizing donated food resourcefully to prepare meals, cooking, organizing inventory, Preparation and maintenance of quality standards. The Kitchen Assistant will work to maintain a hospitable, people-centered, team driven, and high quality food service environment for the Day Shelter that is founded on the principle of advocating for people who are overlooked and marginalized. All employees are expected to maintain the Homeless Alliance mission and values at all times whether working beside community partners, volunteers and especially while serving guests. Other duties include ensuring laundry, sanitation, cleanliness and up-keep of the shelter is maintained.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive box truck to and from Homeless Alliance Campus to pick up donated food items
• Be able to accurately track the quantities and value of items and report that data to Development and Administration Leadership
• Coordinate schedules and plan routes with In-Kind Donation Specialist
• Prepares a variety of meals for cooking in broilers, ovens, grills, tilt skillet and various kitchen equipment
• Oversee meal service and engage with guests during meals.
• Identify and communicate operational issues in the kitchen with supervisor
• Prep meals for the following day
• Understand and maintain ethical standards for donations
• Follow weekly cleaning and upkeep as determined by kitchen manager
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen in compliance with Health Department regulations
• Maintain good rapport with guest, volunteers, staff and stakeholders
• Application of the FIFO method to ensure quality and safety of all ingredients
• Plan and carry-out meal-time in the event that the Kitchen Manager is absent

REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Driver's License and must have a clean Motor Vehicle Report and Background Check
• Willing to work early (5.30 AM-1:30 PM)
• The ability to work flexibly to the differing demands of the role: working with people, dealing professionally with colleagues from partnering agencies
• Very effective people skills:
• Ability to demonstrate empathy
• Ability to use defusing techniques to deal with conflict
• Able to relate well with people from a variety of different backgrounds: especially vulnerable, those with mental illness, substance abuse, etc.
• Be able to keep pace with the daily demands of the job
• Assist with kitchen cleaning and upkeep, including stocking and organizing storage areas
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner

Note: It is the responsibility of all staff members to treat all clients, volunteers, guests, and other employees in a courteous and respectful manner at all times

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• One year or more of food preparation experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. Repetitively while receiving and unloading donations
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical
• Accommodation may be made for some physical limitations for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS

The employee will work in a normal kitchen environment and occasionally other areas of the Day Shelter, WestTown Campus and the community. Hectic situations can occur in the public area of the facility characteristic to working with the homeless community and the related concerns and situations related to homeless conditions. Potential exists for volatile and unpredictable situations to occur. Exposure to strong odors such as soiled clothes and poor hygiene, are common.

The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.