Kitchen Support

Benefits:

• Simple IRA when qualified
• Competitive salary
• Paid time off

Position Description:
Reporting to the Operations Supervisor, the Kitchen Assistant provides support for Samaritans meal operations and assists in the supervision of volunteers in order to create quality meals for the centers guests while achieving budgeted food, labor and operating costs. The Kitchen Assistant monitors and builds relationships with guests in order to encourage a positive, safe, guest and volunteer experience and behavior.

Responsibilities:
o Participate in the training and supervision of kitchen volunteers on proper food handling, preparation, food safety, work safety, and kitchen sanitation.
o Assist in maintaining systems and procedures for the proper ordering, receiving, storing, preparing and serving of food related products and supplies.
o Assist in monitoring environment to maintain safety and neighborhood relations
o Assist in the development and preparation of menus according to sound dietary principles including monitoring of portion control standards.
o Assist in ensuring kitchen and dining room facility and equipment are inspection ready at all times and sanitation and maintenance standards are maintained.
o Assist in the successful completion of daily meal services: including preparation, monitoring, production and clean-up.
o Ensure donated product is utilized to its maximum capacity.
o Establish and maintain solid working relationships with necessary vendors.
o Act as role model for guests, volunteers and staff: being professional, empathetic and responsible while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
o Maintain a safe and friendly environment for guests, volunteers and staff.
o Assist in providing coverage for vacations and staff shortages.
o Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:
o Minimum 1 year experience in large volume production cooking
o High School Education or equivalent
o Strong relationship building, maintenance, problem solving and interpersonal skills
o Ability to smell and taste to determine freshness and proper seasoning
o Ability to work with and on behalf of an extremely diverse guest and volunteer population
o Ability to educate and motivate others
o Dedication to the mission of the Samaritan Center and a sincere empathy for people in need
o General mechanical aptitude
o Must be willing to work flexible schedule including holidays, early mornings and weekends
o Ability to stand, bend squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
o Ability to lift 50 lbs.
o Equal Opportunity Employer

The Samaritan Center is an interfaith effort of community members who are committed to serving the hungry and those in need in Central New York in order to promote their welfare, dignity and self-sufficiency. Founded in 1981 and located in the center city of Syracuse, the Samaritan Center is a non-profit 501c3 providing daily hot meals without questions to hungry men, women and children while promoting an environment of mutual-respect and opportunity. Coupled with the provision of nutritious food is a system of resource and referral linkages whereby individuals are offered assistance in accessing the supports necessary to improve their life situation.

The Center is governed by an active Board of Directors operates with a current staff of nine. As a small office, staff members work with each other professionally and collaboratively. Each individual is expected to demonstrate initiative, commitment to the organization, exercise good judgment and be held accountable for their assigned responsibilities. Samaritan Center is a grass-roots organization where teamwork, the contributions of volunteers and community partnerships are the key to its success.