Food Service Coordinator

Jackson Interfaith Shelter Mission and Core Values:

Seeking to put God's love into action, Jackson Interfaith Shelter provides temporary shelter and other essential resources to people experiencing homelessness or poverty. We do this through our core values of hope, dignity, love, partnership, stewardship and excellence.

General Summary:

The Food Service Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring every client at Jackson Interfaith Shelter receives consistent, nutritious meals. This position serves as the cook and organizer for kitchen and pantry operations, as well as the main point of contact for food service volunteers. The Food Service Coordinator plans and prepares weekly menus, oversees daily meal production, and ensures all food is handled and served in compliance with health department standards. This role is central to our mission of addressing food insecurity and caring for our community through meals made with excellence and compassion. Whether you are looking for full time or part time, we encourage you to apply, as we are open to either option for the right candidate.

Essential Functions:

• Maintain and promote a cooperative, collaborative environment in alignment with the philosophy, mission, and policies of the Jackson Interfaith Shelter.
• Work alongside the Director of Operations (DOO) to ensure health and safety standards for the shelter and kitchen are maintained at all times. This includes compliance with The Jackson County Health Department.
• Prepare meals for clients and community members while practicing safe food handling.
• Serve food with the quality and quantity standards of JIS, including excellent customer service to clients.
• Oversee the daily maintenance and upkeep of the kitchen, pantry and dining areas. Ensure regular cleaning and preparation schedules are maintained by utilizing the Shift Checklist.
• Work alongside DOO to create daily meal plan and Courier to create shopping list for shelter meals.
• Provide oversight for all donated food items while maintaining an orderly and efficient pantry system to limit food waste.
• Invest in volunteers helping with food service, kitchen cleaning and pantry organization.
• Utilize opportunities to train clients on food preparation, nutritious eating etc. that will help them personally and professionally after exiting the shelter.
• Assist with inventory and organizational needs in the kitchen, including kitchen materials, utensils, pots/pans, and food as needed.
• Work in a team setting and practice exceptional communication skills.
• Build and maintain healthy, professional relationships with clients and safeguard client confidentiality (per the Homeless Management Information System mandatory requirements).
• Facilitate and model for clients positive interactions including problem solving, mediation, crisis intervention, and de-escalation.
• Attend biweekly staff meetings and be prepared to provide regular kitchen updates.
• Attend and complete trainings required by The Jackson Interfaith Shelter.
• Assign and facilitate daily duties to clients and community service workers.
• Communicate relevant information to all staff that is necessary for each shift to perform daily kitchen procedures effectively.

Note: The list of essential functions is not exhaustive. It may be supplemented as necessary from time to time.

Helpful Qualifications:

• Must be, or willing to be, ServSafe and CPR/first aid certified
• High School Diploma, GED, some college experience or related training
• High level of management and organizational skills
• Ability to appropriately handle emergency situations
• Willingness and excitement to teach clients proper kitchen protocol, to be used in resume development
• Ability to prepare and cook food for 100 people at a time
• Experience overseeing volunteers in a kitchen setting
• Understanding of mental health related issues, substance abuse, and domestic violence
• Understanding or history of work with persons experiencing homelessness

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

The Kitchen Coordinator works in a fast-paced commercial kitchen environment that requires standing for long periods, frequent walking, bending, and reaching, and the ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds. The role involves regular exposure to heat, steam, and kitchen equipment, as well as occasional work in cold storage areas. This position also requires safely operating kitchen tools, maintaining attention to detail amid interruptions, and engaging regularly with volunteers, clients, and staff. Flexible hours—including some early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays—may be required based on program needs.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.

Equal Employment Opportunity & ADA Compliance:

Jackson Interfaith Shelter provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, service in the military, arrest and conviction record. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. To ensure equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, Jackson Interfaith Shelter will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified individual, unless undue hardship on the operation of the business would result.

Position subject to background check.

Work Remotely

• No

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Question(s):

• Please share the best non-really email address that we can contact you at.
• Are you looking for full time, part time, or are you open to either?

Work Location: In person