WHO WE ARE:

Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Reports to Food Services Supervisor. Assists supervisor in all aspects of food service program, including prep work, cooking, sanitizing/cleaning, bending, stooping, lifting and carrying supplies. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Must be able to effectively use both verbal and physical intervention skills with individuals six (6) through twenty-one (21) years of age. Physical intervention skills require the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve meals to clients in a palatable presentation and record meals served for department records in compliance with Illinois State Board of Education guidelines
• Responsible for checking food orders, carrying/rotating into storage, dry and refrigerated, all supplies upon delivery
• Must have working knowledge of all kitchen equipment including proper use, breakdown and cleaning/sanitation
• Prepare/cook meals in compliance with Illinois State Board of Education guidelines. Meals must be prepared in a time restricted period to serve 75-100 people
• Ability to prepare meals from raw food materials
• Clean kitchen area and maintain cleaning schedule according to sanitary regulations
• Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
• Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
• Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must take and pass Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification course
• At least one (1) year experience in food service functions

• Current Food Service Sanitation (state and city) certification
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

Highlighted benefits

• Provides full time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional cost
• Reimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid on your overall fitness and health
• Offers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of service
• All employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTO
• Employee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates
• 9 paid holidays off

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application. 

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Non-exempt

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V