Chef/Head Cook

HSVS' Youth Residential Healing Homes is seeking an experienced and passionate Cook with great culinary skills to help support our program. The ideal candidate for this position has previous experience evaluating and implementing food planning and preparation, ensuring nutritional, well-balanced meals which conform to mandate diet guidelines; evaluates and administers a household budget for food and supplies, and determines and effectuates all purchasing; can cook recipe dishes, creating monthly food calendars, multi-tasking effectively; and enjoys working in a busy and at times stressful environment. If you have great culinary skills, love working with youths, and have a passion for food prep with strong customer service, please feel free to apply for the position. 

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions of Position:

• Plans all breakfast, lunches, dinners and snacks for residents and staff in the Healing Home program at least 4 weeks in advance, lowing all nutritional guidelines as approved by the Healing Home Nurse maintains files of menus for 1 year; measure and assemble ingredients for daily, weekly, and monthly food menu items 

• Manages and administers a household budget which ensures that the menu plan is purchased, either directly in the community or through a food delivery service. Stores all food in compliance with government standards and checks inventories to ensure dated foods used within allowable limits and to ensure that food is secure. 

• Collaborate with program staff daily to ensure that all meals are prepared timely and appropriately.

• Maintain accurate food inventories, as well as complete weekly food inspections and shopping.

• Properly store food items at appropriate temperatures & check the quantity and quality of all received food products.

• Rotate stock food items, as well as create a check out food system for the program pantry.

• Restock the kitchen with appropriate food for subsequent shifts 

• Ensure that the food prep area and kitchen are cleaned and sanitized at the end of your shift 

• Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that all employees follow all standards and regulations.

• Supervise and coordinate activities of cooking with clients and staff to improve cooking skills and proper food preparation.

• Model positive interaction with children and families and with staff 

• Conduct monthly food inspections and complete all appropriate paperwork and documentation.

• Ensure that all youth in the residence are aware of the Kitchen safety Protocols.

• Provide individualized care and supervision of each resident 

• Model positive behaviors and implement the core values

• Use strength-based intervention, communication and programming 

• Assess, instruct and measure independent living skills that involves cooking or food preparation.

• Provide a therapeutic environment and promote appropriate socialization 

• Create a warm, caring, home-like environment

• Participate in the service planning and review process 

• Deliver services in accordance with service goals and objectives 

• Employ trauma-sensitive practices 

• Provide crisis intervention and behavior management.

• Report incidents, occurrences or untoward events to the Program Supervisor as soon as they occur and complete appropriate paperwork

• Complete all assigned documentation in a timely fashion 

• Assist in residence household duties (general cleaning within the Kitchen, Food shopping, meal planning and preparation); train and supervise children in developing these skills 

• Other duties as assigned within the scope of the role by Program Supervisor. 

Additional Requirements, Skills, Abilities and Characteristics: 

• Trauma informed and maintained a trauma informed environment 

• Must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of clients in crisis 

• High School diploma or equivalent. Required
• Valid NYS driver's license. Required
• Food handling license and must obtain the NYC Food Protection Certificate within the first six months of obtaining the position. Required
• Must obtain S95 and F-07 fire safety certification within 3 months Required
• Flexibility within schedule. Preferred
• At least five years of professional kitchen experience Preferred
• Ability to plan, budget, purchase, and prepare food for 12+ people, as evidenced by related food service experience or family household experience. 
• Ability to read and follow standardized recipes.
• Strong knowledge of proper food handling procedures.
• General computer skills, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Good communication (oral and written), as well as good Interpersonal Skills. 
• Proven skills in cleaning and household maintenance, knowledge of cleaning chemicals and supplies.
• Ability to support, nurture, and discipline children in a structured environment, as evidenced by 1-year professional childcare experience. 
• Experience in working with diverse communities, and knowledge of multicultural issues, including race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, etc. 

Benefits

At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You can expect: 

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Wellhub Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to [email protected].

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook

HeartShare Human Services of New York | Homepage

HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.