Lead Kitchen Support Staff in Chicago, Illinois at Franciscan Outreach

Position Description
Franciscan Outreach’s mission is to provide healthy meals, safe shelter, and critical services that affirm the dignity of men and women who are marginalized and homeless and empower them to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing. The Lead Kitchen Support Staff is responsible for leading and collaborating with the kitchen staff to ensure regular planning and preparing healthy meals for all shelter guests; for the upkeep and maintenance of the shelter kitchen, appliances, and pantries; and for managing and utilizing donated and purchased food items utilized by shelter guests.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
-Communicates and collaborates with the Kitchen Support Staff Team (Team) to plan and prepare well-balanced meals for the shelter guests with minimal food waste
-Plans, trains, and retains a Team by company guidelines, policies and procedures, and food handling and safety guidelines
-Receives food from the vendor and ensures that any returned items are clean
-Track freezer/refrigerator temperatures and ensure food is delivered safely according to code before distributing and serving to guests
-Provides a positive work environment and learning experience for Team members, colleagues, and guests
-Work with Kitchen Management to conduct regular Team meetings and maintain adequate record-keeping
-Guide daily activities with a focus on team motivation and positive outcomes
-Works in conjunction with the Kitchen Manager to oversee overall kitchen operations
-Provides the Kitchen Manager with input into the performance evaluation of Kitchen Support Staff
-Ensure weekly menus are posted and vendor supplies are ordered accordingly that taking into consideration the varying health and cultural needs of shelter guests
-Control and efficiently utilize incoming foods while maintaining high product standards
-Ensures that the Team correctly stores all incoming food in appropriate locations (pantry, freezers, refrigerators, etc.) and maintains a continuous inventory of food and supplies
-Ensures the proper organization of food, regularly rotating items for storage in the shelter pantry, and ensuring that food items in freezers and refrigerators are covered and labeled appropriately
-Ensures a clean and orderly kitchen and pantry area, including regular and thorough cleaning of appliances, walls, cabinets, shelves, etc.
-Ensures all kitchen equipment is operating properly and used properly to ensure safety in the kitchen
-Reports any problems to the Kitchen Manager for appropriate action.
-Communicates kitchen needs and issues to kitchen management by way of regular weekly meetings
-Places food orders from the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) and submits supply needs and shortages to kitchen management, if applicable
-Ensures kitchen’s compliance with food handling licenses and manages license status for all kitchens
staff
-Assists with the coordination of preparing, serving, and cooking food for special events when assigned
-Work with the Development Department to oversee community volunteer groups and individuals
-Monitors guests and volunteers as they serve meals to ensure all guidelines are met as required by codes
-Maintains all necessary written documentation as required by the health department, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, USDA, and other governing bodies and/or funders, as applicable
-Responds to and addresses kitchen/food-related guest complaints
-Assist with the clean-up of the kitchen and lounge area
-Follows all Franciscan House service philosophies, policies, and procedures
-Performs all duties as assigned, including other duties as required

Requirements:
-Works to achieve the highest level of team performance concerning guest service and experience
-Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, and core values
-Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with guests and the team
-Ability to work effectively in a constantly changing and sometimes demanding, high-paced, and stressful environment
-Ability to work with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental illness
-Ability to manage multiple projects with demanding and competing deadlines, superior organizational skills, and the ability to maintain high-quality work
-Ability to work independently or in a team
-Demonstrates a positive attitude, self-motivation, organization, and resourcefulness while maintaining a reputation through proven action of being team and guest oriented and willing to assist where/when needed
-Ability to negotiate different personalities and work under competing priorities
- Ability to assess emergencies and respond effectively.
-Ability to operate commercial kitchen equipment such as ovens, stovetops, commercial dish washers, steam tables, etc.
-Ability to follow proper procedures for the healthy and sanitary preparation and serving of meals
-Ability to sort, stack, and arrange items in an organized manner
-Ability to work with individuals who are experiencing homelessness
-Ability to remain alert and on duty throughout shifts
-Ability to effectively use conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques
-Ability to communicate well both orally and in written form, and follow detailed instructions
- Ability to apply policies fairly and consistently
-Physical ability to stand for extended periods, lift 50 pounds routinely and 75 pounds occasionally, tolerate exposure to noise and heat, sit, bend, reach, and perform cleaning duties

Qualifications:
-18 years of age or older
-High school diploma or GED
-Current Kitchen Manager’s license or ability to participate in the Department of Health Food Protection 15-hour course, pass the exam, and become a certified Kitchen Manager within 30 days of employment
-Previous experience cooking, serving, and oversight of kitchen functions in either a residential or commercial setting
-Basic computer skills, including use of the Windows Office Suite programs
-May be required to become First Aid/CPR certified
-May be required to become certified in overdose prevention and administer Naloxone
-General knowledge of substance use and mental health disorders
-Knowledge of Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, and Harm Reduction principles

Additional Requirements:
All staff are expected to abide by the policies of Franciscan Outreach, including, but not limited to, rules governing ethics, confidentiality, dual relationships, honesty, and integrity. All staff are expected to always act in good faith and in keeping with the mission and values of Franciscan Outreach. Staff must have a commitment to serving the guests of Franciscan Outreach and to contributing to a positive, respectful, and accepting environment.

Franciscan Outreach is an Equal Opportunity Employer