Residential Program Cook

Voyager Recovery Center; Lake Forest (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Voyager Recovery Center in Lake Forest, CA is seeking a residential program cook to prepare nutritious meals for clients in a detox environment. You will plan weekly menus, balance dietary needs, and maintain a clean, compliant kitchen while supporting residents' wellbeing.

This on-site role requires the ability to work independently and collaborate with staff. The position emphasizes high-quality cooking, budgeting for food items, and providing a welcoming dining experience in a therapeutic

Qualifications

• Previous chef or cook experience in residential/healthcare setting preferred.
• High school diploma or GED; RADT/SUDRC and Food Handler Certification required.
• Knowledge of SUD treatment context and dietary needs.

Responsibilities

• Weekly budgeting for kitchen items and food.
• Cook and prepare balanced meals for 6-30 clients per meal.
• Plan and post weekly menus.
• Maintain sanitary kitchen and meal prep areas in compliance with health codes.
• On-site work during business hours; may supervise kitchen staff.

Skills

Food safety

Culinary skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or GED

RADT Trainee or SUDRC

Food Handler Certification

Job description

SUMMARY

The Residential Program Cook plays a therapeutic and rehabilitative role by preparing nutritious, appealing meals for clients. This position balances high-quality culinary skills with an understanding of client-specific nutritional needs and facility budget constraints. This position is responsible for planning, preparing, and serving 3 regularly scheduled daily meals for clients in a Residential detox environment. Beyond standard meal prep and cooking duties, the Cook creates a welcoming dining environment, supports residents' emotional well-being, and ensures the kitchen operates in strict compliance with health and safety codes. The Cook will plan and post a variety of unique, well-balanced weekly menus on site and report directly to the Program Director.

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

Employees are expected to provide quality SUD and MH Treatment services without discrimination to culture, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, spiritual belief, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, and physical or mental ability. All aspects of our program aim to address the specific strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of the individuals, families, and communities we serve.

• Adheres to all Company Policies and Procedures
• Conducts self in a manner that represents the Company's values at all times
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with all work-related contacts
• Communicates regularly with the supervisor about departmental and Company concerns
• Consistently reports to work on time, prepared to perform the duties of the position
• Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload necessitates

AGE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES (ADULT, 18 yrs+)

1. Allows patients to maintain control; involves patients in decision-making and planning of care, as appropriate to condition and situation.
2. Encourages participation in care.
3. Demonstrates clinical knowledge of expected adult vital signs.
4. Recognises abuse/neglect potential.
5. Encourages family support.
6. Recognizes/respects concerns over interruption of work/plans/separation from family, etc.
7. Recognises fears regarding potential lifestyle changes.
8. Encourages verbalisation of fears and anxiety; maintains age-appropriate communication

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Weekly Budgeting for all Kitchen and food/meal prep items
2. Cook and prepare tasteful, balanced, and delicious meals for recovering addicts
3. Weekly Menu planning and posting with unique, well-balanced assorted menu options
4. Meal Preparation and Service for a group of 6-30 clients per meal
5. Maintain clean and sanitary kitchen and meal prep areas, in compliance with state and federal food and safety codes.
6. Be available to work on site during business hours
7. Potential supervision of kitchen staff
8. Label and maintain expirables and food items sans perishable state
9. Participate in staff meetings and strategy sessions to ensure coordinated care and alumni successRepresent The Company in a positive, professional, and compassionate manner
10. Follow all policies and procedures outlined by The Company, including confidentiality and ethics
11. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education, Training, and Experience Required:

• Preferred work experience: Prior experience as a Chef or Cook in a residential, healthcare, hospitality, or institutional setting preferred.
• High school diploma, GED,
  or one year of work experience in a supportive role.
• Credentials: RADT Trainee or SUDRC and Food Handler Safety Certification/Card

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Food and Culinary Knowledge and Education: Modernized Cooking and food preparation with a tasteful, upscale mindset for a luxury setting
2. Responsive, Flexible with Scheduling - according to business needs, as dictated by scheduling
3. Basic Knowledge of SUD and Co-Occurring Disorder Population
4. Ethical & Legal Considerations - Confidentiality and HIPAA regulations, Mandated Reporting, ethical decision-making
5. Communication skills - must be able to concentrate on work amid distractions such as noise, conversations, and foot traffic and document dates with expirations
6. Exercise Good Judgement - maintain self-control in volatile or hostile situations, such as when verbally or physically confronted in an aggressive manner
7. Work independently, with little supervision, in an unstructured environment with multiple demands
8. Basic Understanding of Treatment Program Structure - basic knowledge of requirements for client treatment
9. Cultural Sensitivity & Trauma-Informed Care - specific populations with deficits in care, harassment policies,s and cultural differences amongst co-workers and clients.
10. Food Safety and Cleanliness Standards
11. Knowledgeable and Skilled with Medical and Diet Restrictions
12. Attends to detailed requests, organised execution and luxury care standards
13. Positive Representation of Company Standards - Ability to represent the program well in interactions both inside and outside the facility

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit for extended periods. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The job requires frequent contact with water (hand washing and cleaning) and working with body fluids and hazardous chemicals. When working under these conditions, OSHA standards and universal precautions must be followed at all times.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal to high volumes of stress.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is our policy toabide by all Federal and State laws, as well as, the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a), prohibiting discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibiting discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

22 BARBERRY

LAKE FOREST, California

92630