Sous Chef - Senior Living / Omaha, NE

Ovation in; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Supplemental Insurance Options

Pet Insurance

Employee Discounts

Job summary

The Sous Chef at Ovation Heartwood Preserve in Omaha, NE leads daily culinary operations under the direction of the Executive Chef, ensuring nutritious, high-quality meals for independent living, assisted living, and memory care residents.

This full-time role requires strong leadership, kitchen management, menu planning, and strict adherence to safety regulations, with compensation in the $65,000–$75,000 range and benefits designed to support team well-being.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or apprenticeship preferred with supervisory exposure.
• Food safety certification (ServSafe) and HIPAA awareness required.
• Strong leadership, menu planning, and high-volume kitchen skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality meals for multiple venues, including texture-modified menus for memory care.
• Supervise, train, and schedule prep cooks, line cooks, and dishwashers in the Executive Chef's absence.
• Maintain sanitation, HACCP, and state health regulations for vulnerable populations.
• Ensure meals meet nutritional guidelines (low-sodium, diabetic, pureed, thickened-liquid).
• Assist with inventory, ordering, deliveries, and waste reduction.
• Solicit resident feedback and cater events, fostering a warm dining environment.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Skills

Knife skills

Large-batch cooking

Menu planning

Leadership / supervision

HIPAA confidentiality awareness

Education

Culinary degree or apprenticeship

ServSafe / Food Protection Manager certification

Tools

CPR/BLS certification

Job description

Sous Chef

Status: Full Time

Schedule: Varies

Wage: $65,000 - $75,000 Annually/DOE

Location: Ovation Heartwood Preserve - 470 Maxwell Plz, Omaha, NE 68154

Job Summary

The Sous Chef in a senior living community (independent living, assisted living, and memory care) ensures high-quality, nutritious dining experiences tailored to older adults. They assist the Executive Chef with daily culinary operations, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance while accommodating specific dietary needs.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook high-quality meals for multiple venue types, from restaurant-style independent living dining rooms to specialized, texture-modified menus for memory care.
• Supervise, train, and schedule prep cooks, line cooks, and dishwashers in the Executive Chef's absence.
• Maintain strict adherence to sanitation, food safety (e.g., HACCP), and state health regulations for vulnerable populations.
• Ensure meals meet specific nutritional guidelines, including low-sodium, diabetic, pureed, and thickened-liquid diets.
• Assist with food inventory, ordering supplies, receiving deliveries, and minimizing kitchen waste.
• Solicit feedback from residents, cater special community events, and foster a welcoming, hospitality-focused dining environment.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Culinary degree or formal apprenticeship preferred, alongside certified Food Protection Manager credentials (e.g., ServSafe).
• 2-4 years of progressive kitchen experience, with prior supervisory roles. Senior living or high-volume healthcare/hospitality experience is a major plus.
• Proficient knife skills, large-batch cooking, recipe standardization, and menu planning.
• High levels of patience and empathy (essential for memory care residents), strong organizational abilities, and adaptable communication skills.
• Food safety certification and Food Handler State Card required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
• A genuine desire to improve the quality of life for seniors.
• Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.
• Must maintain and have an active CPR/BLS during employment.

At Ovation, we believe caring for others starts with caring for our own teams. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind—so you can focus on making a difference every day.

Employees are Benefits-eligible at 30+ hours/week. Coverage begins the 1st of the month following hire

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage – Regence medical plans (PPO & HDHP), Delta Dental (with orthodontia), and VSP vision

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs & work/life balance (Canopy)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Flexible PTO program combining vacation, sick, and holiday time
• Paid Holidays – Six recognized holidays, with premium pay for eligible hourly employees
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Available after 90 days, with discretionary employer match
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Employer contributes up to $600/year for HDHP participants
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Medical, Limited, Dependent Care, and Commuter options
• Supplemental Insurance Options – Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Life & Disability (Sun Life)
• Legal Insurance – Affordable access to legal support for common life needs
• Pet Insurance – Discounted plans through Wishbone
• Employee Discounts – Savings on travel, entertainment, electronics, fitness & more (Tickets at Work)

Ovation by Avamere is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify