Shelter Kitchen Lead: Nutritious Meals & Community Impact

Northern Virginia Family Service; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) is seeking a Shelter Kitchen Specialist to prepare and serve nutritious meals to shelter guests while supporting daily kitchen operations.

Responsibilities include menu planning, food safety, inventory management, and coordinating with staff and volunteers to ensure high-quality service for 70-90 guests per service. Reliable weekend availability is required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in food preparation and safety, catering and handling in a high volume commercial or institutional environment.
• Valid Food Handler’s certification
• ServSafe certification strongly preferred
• Culinary training preferred but not required
• Oral and written fluency in English; additional language skills always welcome
• Proficiency in usage of basic technological tools including laptops/computers, email, phones, and internet; working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement weekly rotating kitchen menus based on ingredients with nutrition-focused meals.
• Coordinate with shelter and Hunger Resource Center staff to ensure inventory and supplies.
• Shop for and transport food supplies from HRC to kitchen.
• Prepare meals for 70-90 people per service, including continental breakfast and cooked lunch or dinner.
• Accommodate specific dietary needs and special requests.
• Ensure meals for weekends and days off with contingency planning.
• Maintain meal counts and accountability system.
• Follow emergency contingency plans for weather outages or power loss.
• Review administrative areas affecting operations efficiency and fiscal integrity.
• Keep up-to-date with USDA and health regulations; cooperate with volunteers in the kitchen.

Skills

Food preparation

Food safety

Catering

High volume operations

English fluency

Education

Food Handler certification

ServSafe certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) is seeking a Shelter Kitchen Specialist to prepare and serve nutritious meals to shelter guests while supporting daily kitchen operations.

Responsibilities include menu planning, food safety, inventory management, and coordinating with staff and volunteers to ensure high-quality service for 70-90 guests per service. Reliable weekend availability is required.