The full-time Cook is responsible for the planning and preparation of nutritious healthy meals in a high-volume environment feeding over 200 homeless and low-income women daily. The ideal candidate portraits a positive energy and calm demeanor at all times, manages priorities in the kitchen environment, leads and motivates volunteers, participants, interns and other staff members to do their best and get the job done. The full-time cook understands and places a high emphasis on maintaining a “clean as you go” environment. This position is responsible for assisting in the long-term planning and budgeting of the meals program, cleanliness of the entire kitchen, including pantry, walk-in refrigerator, freezer, equipment, utility and service area, and also maintains an organized and efficient working environment.

The full-time Cook enjoys being creative with meals, has a superior knowledge of food safety and cleaning solutions; a good understanding of HACCP is a plus. The candidate has a strong ability to improvise menus and builds positive relationships with all patrons of the center. Strong leadership qualities are required to be successful as well as being able to work in a high stressful environment. Reporting directly to the Kitchen Manager, this position must have strong communication skills, good teamwork, be able to follow directions and work under minimal supervision. 

•Maintains a clean and organized kitchen. Cleans and sanitizes equipment, prep tables, service counters, dishes, pots and pans, etc. Practices “clean as you go” at all times.

•Oversees planning of menus; responsible for preparing and executing 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack) for 200 women.

•Assist in managing food inventory, including order placement and delivery. Manages food donation drives as needed.

•Supervises and trains participants, volunteers (individual and groups), interns and other staff in the preparation and cooking of meals.

•Have excellent organizational skills and time management skills; be able to function under time constraints and deadlines with attention to detail. 

•Provides crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation as necessary.

•Ensures food safety by labeling and dating food, executes proper food rotation (FIFO), maintains appropriate food storage guidelines and keeps all areas in compliance with Health Department regulations.

•Supports the development of measurable outcomes and the implementation of data collection.

•Other duties as assigned.

•Must be highly flexible. Weekends and holidays are required. Some evenings.

•Must have strong communication skills to interact and establish relationships with patrons assisting in the kitchen.

•Ability to exercise good judgment in crisis situations.

•Sensitivity and knowledge of the complexity of poverty and women’s homelessness, including mental illness, substance dependency and abuse, and needs of older adults.

•Able to work under minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Also be able to bend, climb ladders, and lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.

No, on-site only

•High school diploma or GED.

•At least 2 years’ experience in food service.

•ServSafe Certification required.

•Degree in culinary arts or nutrition a plus.

•Cultural humility.

•Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC; must be available for in-person meetings at DWC.

•Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months, on first day of hire.

•You will be required to be up to date on your vaccinations against COVID-19 and provide documentation. If you are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible to receive a booster dose, then you must receive the booster dose within 30 days of becoming eligible and eligibility begins 5 months after receiving final primary dose. If you are fully vaccinated and have received a booster dose, you are considered up to date with your vaccinations. Unvaccinated individuals must receive their 1st dose before their first day of hire. Partially vaccinated (for 2-dose series) individuals must receive their 2nd dose within 30 days of being hired. The second dose of a two-dose vaccine series is due 4 weeks after the primary dose. 

This is full-time, regular, non-exempt position and is eligible for DWC’s comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, parking and transportation benefits. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Sunday from 5:00am to 4:00pm but are subject to change in order to meet operation needs and demands. Weekends and public holidays availability is required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or medical condition.

$21.86/hourly

Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. DWC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B.

Downtown Women’s Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants and actively seeks candidates who reflect the rich diversity of the communities that we serve. We are committed to a work environment that embraces and promotes individuality and inclusion. We believe that diversity and inclusion of varied perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences are essential to our organization’s effectiveness, and allow us to serve our clients in the respectful, responsive, and understanding way that they deserve. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, marital status, pregnancy, military and veteran status, medical condition, geography, socio-economic status, and other unique attributes that make us who we are.

Downtown Women’s Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.