Dining Services Associate - PT

Bluestem PACE is looking for a part-time Dining Services Associate to join our team. The hours for this position are 10:00am - 2:00pm.

Join our team and enjoy outstanding benefits! – Tailored for part-time employees!

At Bluestem Communities, we value our part-time team members and offer a benefits package designed to support both your personal and professional well-being. As a part-time employee you can enjoy the following benefits:

Financial wellness and security

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Gradifi student loan payment program
• Payactiv: Early access to earned wages

Wellness and support benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bluestem Wellness Center membership

Meal perks

• Meal Discounts at our dining locations

Our benefits are designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Explore the full range of benefits and learn more about how Bluestem Communities can be the right fit for you—visit our Careers page today!

Position Overview:

The Dining Services Associate will assist the Lead Dining Services Associate in preparing and serving the main meal at the Day Center.

Essential Job Functions:

Food Handling

• Demonstrate appropriate handling of food and operating supplies
• Check and record inventory on a timely basis                                    
• Assist in checking in and putting away food and supplies upon delivery                   
• Understand and follow food portion controls
• Understand and follow safe food handling procedures                   
• Avoid wasting food or supplies.

Maintenance & Sanitation

• Maintain kitchen equipment and cleanliness in assigned areas
• Keep all kitchen equipment clean and in good working order                      
• Clean and sanitizes food preparation area and sink                         
• Wash dishes and take out trash in assigned areas                            
• Use good sanitation practices as described in PACE policy and procedures
• Follow daily/weekly/monthly cleaning lists appropriately
• Use all kitchen equipment appropriately               

Menus and Labels

• Assist Dietitian in preparing menus when consulted
• Print daily menus and prepare them for the following day

Food Preparation

• Understand and adhere to participants' nutritional needs as specified on their diet cards
• Remain alert to participants' changing dietary and health concerns                         
• Consult daily menus to determine which foods will be served for that day                            
• Prepare food according to menus, recipes and diet cards                             

Organization and Food Preparation

• Delegate food preparation duties to temporary assistant (s) when needed
• Assist in obtaining meal cards from participants in a timely manner                  
• Ensure that food prepared in the PACE kitchen is ready at the proper time
• Is knowledgeable about proper hand hygiene in regard to food services settings                               

Policies & Procedures

• Follow PACE Policy and Procedures and standards for preparing, handling, serving, and storing food

• Check and record temperatures of food to ensure that it is served at correct temperatures
• Notify Lead Culinary Associate if food temperatures are out of range

Meal Service

• Serve residents in the dining area

• Serve participants in the dining area                                                    
• Monitor snack area supplies and refills it as necessary     
• Monitor PACE participants to verify that they are eating the foods specified on their diet cards

Performs Temporary Supervisory Functions

• Perform the responsibilities of the Lead Culinary Aide when he/she is absent       
• When Lead Culinary Aide is absent, is able to supervise a temporary Culinary Aide
• Is able to perform all jobs in the department                      
• Provide leadership by example  

Basic Understanding of Technology (These duties are performed alongside the Lead Culinary Associate)

• Create monthly menus using Microsoft Word
• Create and update participants meals cards using Microsoft Excel
• Chart participants meal consumption daily to reflect attendance using a PACE online platform
• Communicate via e-mail to contracted meal service providers, contracted operating supply providers, and general communication with other staff

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Prefer one year or more institutional cooking experience.
• Additional education in cooking or cooking related field is helpful

Physical Requirements:

Medium Work – Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly.