For more than 50 years, Berkeley Food & Housing Project (BFHP) has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in six counties in the bay area - Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated in our mission to ease and end the crisis of homelessness in our communities.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of theFood Services Manager, the Hope Center (HC)LeadCook will be responsible for ordering, menu creation and food preparation and service to residents residing at the Hope Center that will include a 32 bed Men’s shelter, a 12 bed Veterans Transitional Housing, and the Community Meals Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The HC Lead cook will perform all functions related to food preparation for the HCprograms

including but not limited to:

• Under the direction of the Food Services Manager, do a weekly inventory to determine the weekly order of food and food supplies.
• Take delivery of all food and food products.
• Ensure that all food and supplies are secured before end of each shift.
• Create weekly menus that are cost-effective and nutritious.
• Cook daily meals.
• Ensure that the weekend cook has a menualong with all necessary food and supplies to provide weekend food service.

• Ensure proper safety and sanitation in food preparation and maintain cleanliness of kitchen at the Hope Center.
• Use of agency van to pick-up needed supplies or deliver food to BFHP sites, when necessary.
• Wash dishes, clean kitchen and food storages areas, and complete other cleaning tasks as needed.
• Coordinate with Shelter Program Manager and Resident Advocates to assess program needs and provide support.
• Assist the Food Services Manager to supervise the cleaning and serving activities of the Hope Center Kitchen Assistant.
• Attend program and agency meetings.
• In collaboration with the Food Services Manager, assist in collecting statistics and meal counts.
• Perform other related tasks as required by your supervisor.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Work within the framework of BFHP’s Code of Conduct.
• Conduct business in accordance with the Employee Handbook, exercising sound judgement and serving the best interests of the Agency and the community.
• Commit yourself to treating each community member with respect and dignity.
• Exercise responsibility appropriate to the positions and delegated authorities.
• Be responsible to everyone else, the Agency and its stakeholders, both for your actions and your decisions not to act.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding clients, personnel and other internal agency affairs

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid California driver’s license and clean driving history.
• Knowledge of food safety procedures. Possession of a valid California Food Handler’s Certification is preferred but not required.
• At least one year of food experience in a high-volume kitchen, preferably as a cook.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues related to homeless, low income, mentally disabled, and chemically dependent persons.
• Ability to maintain a professional attitude and appearance, possess customer-friendly behavior, and the willingness to adapt to immediate changes in the workplace.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to safely drive agency vehicles, including large cargo van.
• Proficiency on PC computer systems including Microsoft Office and Excel, or ability to learn.

Physical Requirements

• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, handle, feel.
• The employee is frequently required to climb stairs, walk, sit, talk and hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch or reach.
• The employee must occasionally safely lift and/or move up to 50lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

We are extremely proud of our diverse team and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, language, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.* Given the nature of our work providing direct services to clients, BFHP has a mandatory COVID19 vaccination policy*