Drop-In Center Kitchen Specialist in Portland, Oregon at New Avenues For Youth

Join New Avenues and…

• Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
• Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
• Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), generous paid time off, a comprehensive employee assistance program, a retirement savings plan, and access to employee discounts.

This position requires a high level of mobility, meaning the successful candidate must be able to swiftly move and adapt to different situations and tasks. This may or may not also include different agency locations or locations within the community being served. A person in this position must be able to perform with or without accommodation the essential functions of this job including any physical requirements associated with this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. If the position may require the use of any personal protective equipment, New Avenues will have such equipment on hand for the employee’s use.

Any candidate deemed viable for this position based on resources and resume submission will be contacted to participate in a screen interview to discuss interest and job compatibility. Of those screened, advancing candidates will be asked to participate in a subsequent interview or interviews to evaluate job qualifications and interest further. From this process, a hiring selection will be made.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

Apply Today:

If you're ready to use your desire to ignite hope and inspire change, we encourage you to apply!

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Drop-In Center Kitchen Specialist

Pay: $22.25 per hour

Schedule: Full-time Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Location: 314 SW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have the drive or experience to be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness? If so, New Avenues for Youth is seeking a Kitchen Specialist to join our Day Services Drop-In team.

Qualifications:

· 2+ years of experience cooking in food industry is required, experience managing food services preferred.

· Food Handler Certificate required.

· Ability to work with multicultural staff and youth required.

· Must be willing to be CPR trained and certified.

· Must be willing to take Food Safety Training and obtain an Oregon Food Handlers Card.

· Must have access to an automobile, a valid driver’s license, and active auto insurance on that vehicle.

What You'll Do:

•Prepare and serve daily meals and snacks for youth accessing Day Services Drop-In, ensuring food is nutritious, safe, and culturally responsive
• Maintain a clean, organized, and health-compliant kitchen environment, including daily cleaning, food storage, and sanitation practices
• Monitor food inventory, manage ordering of supplies, and reduce waste through thoughtful planning and tracking
• Ensure compliance with all food safety standards, including proper food handling, labeling, and temperature control
• Support the overall Drop-In environment by engaging positively with youth, helping create a welcoming and safe space
• Collaborate with program staff to align kitchen operations with daily programming and youth needs
• Participate in kitchen systems development, including implementing and maintaining opening/closing procedures and accountability tools
• Respond to immediate kitchen or facility needs, including supporting resets, deep cleans, or safety corrections when necessary

Who You Are:

• Supportive: You agree to center the youth experience, build trust, and follow through on your investment to the young people that we serve.
• Compassionate: You offer empathy without judgment, listen effectively, and create a safe space for young people to share their stories and struggles.
• Resilient: You are committed to showing up consistently and holding the youth experience separate from your own.
• Growth-Oriented: You embrace continuous learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to better support yourself and the youth that we serve.
• Equity: You understand how systemic oppression impacts the lives of youth in programs and the systems that you will support youth in navigating. You support our unwavering commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.