Prep Cook

Urban Peak; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental plans

Vision Plan

Flexible Spending Plan

Life Insurance

Short-Term/Long-Term Disability

403(b) Retirement Plan

RTD Eco Pass

Paid Holidays

Vacation accrual

Job summary

Urban Peak, a Denver-based nonprofit serving youth 12–24, seeks a Prep Cook to support meal service, supervise volunteers, and oversee kitchen tasks. The role emphasizes trauma-informed communication, respect, and teamwork with staff and youth.

Requirements include three years of culinary experience and references; health/nutrition knowledge is a plus. Strong knife skills and ability to manage multiple tasks are essential.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of culinary experience in a commercial kitchen or catering for large groups with three verifiable references.
• Experience or education in health and nutrition preferred.
• Proficient knife skills and knowledge of basic culinary techniques.
• Ability to follow recipes, take direction, and work with volunteers and youth.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and assist with meal prep and service for up to 130 youth.
• Engage and supervise meal volunteers and youth in kitchen tasks.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and safety practices; close kitchen after service.

Skills

Culinary experience

Team leadership

Volunteer management

Knife skills

Food safety

Communication

Bilingual awareness

Trauma-informed approach

Education

HS Diploma or Official Transcripts

Job description

Under the supervision of the Assistant Kitchen Manager, the Prep Cook will be responsible for assisting in executing dinner, doing prep and production as needed to support upcoming meal service as well as cleaning and closing the kitchen after dinner. This position will also work with and oversee the meal volunteers on shift and engage with volunteers on the overall implementation of meal services as well as supervise youth doing kitchen chores.

This position will ensure that interactions and communication with, as well as any guidance given to youth, volunteers and staff at Urban Peak are trauma informed and emphasize respect, patience and an attitude of cooperation.

Who You Are:

• Three (3) years of culinary experience in a commercial kitchen or catering for large groups and/or related educational background with three (3) verifiable references.
• Experience or education in areas of health and nutrition preferred.
• Proficient knife skills showing speed and accuracy; demonstratable knowledge of basic culinary techniques such as grilling, sautéing, braising, etc. of proteins as well as vegetable, starch and grain cookery.
• Ability and willingness to take direction and guidance, follow recipes and established routines and processes.
• Ability to take initiative and be creative when invited to do so.
• The ability to connect well, work effectively and communicate in a culturally responsive manner with a diverse youth population.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to assess and change priorities based upon agency and client needs, in an environment that sometimes includes interpersonal conflict and chaos.
• Skill in mediating and de-escalating, particularly in sensitive situations, is preferred.
• Able to make sound decisions, using available information while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Must be team-oriented and able to coordinate with various departments and staff.
• Experience working with managing volunteers and community partnerships preferred.
• Ability to use second language in written and verbal communication desired (Spanish, Vietnamese, ASL) preferred but not required.
• Lived experience reflective of the youth we serve is encouraged but not required.
• Team-oriented and able to coordinate with various departments and staff.
• Computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Must be insurable as a driver on Urban Peak’s auto liability policy to conduct business on behalf of the agency or transport youth using an Urban Peak vehicle and an approved personal vehicle.
• Ability to pass both federal and state background checks.
• Ability to pass pre-employment TB Screening and a pre-employment physical examination.
• Provide proof of education (HS Diploma OR Official Transcripts)

What You Will Do:

Meal Prep and Service:

• Follow instructions left by Kitchen Manager or Assistant Kitchen Manager to prep or assemble food for future meals.
• Expected skills include the knowledge of use, cleaning and care of common kitchen equipment to include bench mixer, deli slicer, steamer, fryer, dish machine, flat top griddle, broiler, salamander and convection oven.
• Basic understanding of cooking techniques, knife skills, sanitation and safe food handling practices, FIFO.
• Assist with or independently lead meal service for up to 130 youth during shifts.

Youth and Volunteer Engagement:

• Engage youth in kitchen chores and chores related to overall meal service clean up, light pre-service prep and/or serving and using established procedures to ensure kitchen is clean and ready for service for next shift and/or meal.
• Support any kitchen volunteer individuals or groups that are signed up to help with meal service during assigned shifts.
• Provide volunteers with an overview of kitchen equipment and safety, and assign tasks to volunteers during their shift (i.e. prepping food, serving food, washing dishes).

Kitchen Cleanliness/General Duties

• Assist with clearing out old/expired food from the fridge and pantry.
• Deep clean parts of the kitchen (as assigned by other kitchen staff).
• Wash dishes, pots, and pans and complete all necessary tasks to close down kitchen before end of shift.
• Adding to the needs list for the order days, making note of faulty equipment, etc.

What We Offer:

• Salary:$ 24.26 / Hour.
• Shift Schedule
  • Saturday 8AM to 8PM (12 hours).
  • Sunday and Monday OFF.
  • Tuesday 12PM to 8PM (8 hours).
  • Wednesday 4PM to 8PM (4 hours).
  • Thursday and Friday 12PM to 8PM (8 hours).
• 100% Employer paid Medical and Dental plans - Buy-up plans available.
• Vision Plan.
• Flexible Spending Plan – Health & Dependent Care.
• Accident Coverage | Critical Care & Hospitalization Ancillary Plan.
• Employer paid Basic Life and AD&D.
• Employee Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Employer paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• Colorado Paid Famli Leave Private Plan – Employee / Employer Split @ 50%.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 2% Agency Match.
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass.
• 10 Paid Holidays.
• 48 hours Paid Sick Time.
• 120 hours of Vacation to start on an accrual basis.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program.
• Second Language pay differential upon successfully passing language exam.
• Staff support for lateral growth through training and mentorship..

Who We Are:

Founded in 1988, Urban Peak is the only non‑profit organization in Denver that provides a full convergence of services for youth ages 12 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Our goal is to meet youth where they are and to provide them with the assistance and support, they need to become self‑sufficient or obtain the necessary services they need to exit a life on the streets.

Urban Peak provides numerous programs and services that are founded on the principles of trauma‑informed care and Positive Youth Development to assist youth in reaching their potential and living a successful life off the streets. Services include street outreach, a 136‑bed shelter for youth ages 12 through 24, daytime drop‑in services, supportive housing, education and employment services, case management, life skills courses, behavioral health evaluations, meals and more. The youth served at the shelter come from a variety of backgrounds, and we strive to be a safe community for all youth, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, class, educational background, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability status.

Urban Peak embraces diversity and considers all qualified candidates that have an interest in the non‑profit sector. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, HIV/AIDS status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We encourage all candidates to apply.