Kitchen Lead Worker – Shelter

Porchlight, Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shelter Kitchen Lead at Porchlight Inc. supervises meal production and service for residents, ensures proper food handling and sanitation, and leads lower-level staff by example under the Kitchen Manager's guidance.

As a key holder with opening/closing duties, the role may cover shifts, train new staff, and help maintain accurate food-safety records while fostering a respectful, inclusive kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• Must possess or be able to possess a ServSafe Manager certification.
• Interest in food and cooking.
• Ability to stand for two hours at a time.
• Manual dexterity for knife handling.
• Ability to work with others.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Written communication to name and organize files, complete timesheets, and communicate with supervisor.
• Sincere respect for disadvantaged individuals.
• Team orientation with respect for others.
• High ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menu items under the direction of the Kitchen Manager.
• Serve meals to the residents and/or guests.
• Properly handle and store food.
• Ensure proper sanitation and hygiene.
• Wash dishes from preparation of meals.
• Set up dishes for meals.
• Cleaning the kitchen and dining room.
• Accurately maintains records related to food safety.
• Alerts management to problems.
• Let Kitchen Manager know if there is need of food and supplies.
• Other duties related to this department as assigned.
• Serve as the acting Kitchen Manager when assigned or required.
• Works in collaboration with program and all other agency staff to facilitate a team environment.
• Demonstrates and models effective communication skills in building relationships with all clients and employees.
• Creates good working relationships with other service providers.
• Treats all clients, employees, and visitors with caring, kindness, respect, and dignity.
• Helps to create an environment that values and appreciates diversity.
• Adheres to all Porchlight policies, procedures, code of conduct, and attendance rules.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all information.
• Adheres to Porchlight policies in the use of Porchlight property, computer technology, and tele-communications devices.
• Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.
• Works with clients to eliminate barriers.

Skills

Food preparation

Team collaboration

Safety awareness

Written communication

Physical stamina

Following directions

Education

ServSafe Manager certification

Tools

Knife handling

Job description

The Shelter Kitchen Worker Lead is a high performing kitchen worker responsible for being the standard bearer and full-time go to worker in the kitchen. They consistently lead lower-level kitchen staff by example in the production, execution and service of meals. They are responsible for proper handling of food, proper storage of food, and the cleanliness of the kitchen/dining room. Monitoring staff's proper implementation of sanitation and personal hygiene are also the responsibilities of the Kitchen Lead. They work closely with the Kitchen Manager to organize delivery, storage and usage of supplies. They assist the Shelter Kitchen Manager in the training, onboarding and supervision of kitchen employees. The Shelter Kitchen Worker Lead acts as a key holder with opening and closing responsibilities and may be asked to cover shift absences or when the Shelter Kitchen Manager is not available.

Essential Duties:

• Prepare menu items under the direction of the Kitchen Manager.
• Serve meals to the residents and/or guests.
• Properly handle and store food.
• Ensure proper sanitation and hygiene.
• Wash dishes from preparation of meals.
• Set up dishes for meals.
• Cleaning the kitchen and dining room.
• Accurately maintains records related to food safety.
• Alerts management to problems.
• Let Kitchen Manager know if there is need of food and supplies.
• Other duties related to this department as assigned.
• Serve as the acting Kitchen Manager when assigned or required.
• Works in collaboration with program and all other agency staff to facilitate a team environment.
• Demonstrates and models effective communication skills in building relationships with all clients and employees.
• Creates good working relationships with other service providers.
• Treats all clients, employees, and visitors with caring, kindness, respect, and dignity.
• Helps to create an environment that values and appreciates diversity.
• Adheres to all Porchlight policies, procedures, code of conduct, and attendance rules.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all information.
• Adheres to Porchlight policies in the use of Porchlight property, computer technology, and tele-communications devices.
• Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.
• Works with clients to eliminate barriers.

Qualifications:

• Must possess or be able to possess a ServSafe Manager certification.
• Interest in food and cooking.
• Ability to stand for two hours at a time.
• Manual dexterity for knife handling.
• Ability to work with others.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Written communication to name and organize files, complete timesheets, and communicate with supervisor.
• Sincere respect for disadvantaged individuals.
• Team orientation with respect for others.
• High ethical standards.

Physical Demands

• Indoor environment: kitchen, open office, shelter dormitories, facilities, etc.
• Outdoor environment: parking lot, grounds, on-site trailer, etc.
• Exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, loud noises, fumes, airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• Standing, kneeling, walking.
• Bending, stooping.
• Reaching, pushing, pulling.
• Climbing stairs.
• Lifting, carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Repetitive, fine hand, finger, and foot movements.
• Typing/data entry.
• Talking, hearing, interacting with coworkers, vendors, participants.
• Close vision.
• Distance vision, field of vision, color/depth perception.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking.
• Reading, writing.
• Basic English comprehension, written and oral communication.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds.
• Manual dexterity.