What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor position at Kids Cooking for Life?
Company Description Kids Cooking For Life (KCL) is a nonprofit organization that teaches nutrition and encourages lifelong healthy cooking and eating habits through hands-on cooking classes. Experienced instructors guide junior chefs in reading recipes, measuring ingredients, chopping, and mixing to create delicious, nutritious meals. KCL serves students from low-income communities and those with special needs across six counties in the Bay Area, offering inclusive and accessible programs. The organization’s mission is to help younger generations understand proper diet and nutrition as a foundation for lifelong health and well-being. Team members join a supportive environment focused on education, community impact, and practical life skills.
Role Description The Instructor role is a part-time, on-site position located in West Marin, CA (Pt. Reyes and Tomales). Instructors lead interactive cooking and nutrition classes for children, demonstrating safe kitchen practices, guiding students through recipes step-by-step, and fostering a positive, engaging classroom environment. Day-to-day responsibilities include preparing lesson materials and ingredients, setting up and cleaning up the teaching space, and adapting instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with special needs. Instructors collaborate with staff and partners to follow curriculum guidelines, track attendance and basic class outcomes, and ensure that all activities align with KCL’s mission of promoting healthy eating habits. This role requires consistent, reliable presence during scheduled classes and occasional participation in trainings or program events.
Qualifications
- Ability to teach basic cooking techniques and kitchen safety, including knife skills, measuring, and use of common kitchen equipment.
- Strong classroom management and youth engagement skills, with experience working with children and young people in group settings.
- Competence in communicating nutrition concepts in a clear, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive manner.
- Experience or comfort working with students from diverse backgrounds, including low-income communities and learners with special needs.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with students, families, and team members.
- Organizational skills to plan lessons, manage time in class, and maintain a clean and orderly teaching environment.
- Commitment to KCL’s mission of promoting healthy eating and lifelong wellness; prior nonprofit, education, or community work is a plus.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, lift and carry supplies as needed, and comply with all safety and food-handling guidelines.
- Availability to work part-time on-site in West Marin, CA; reliable transportation to the teaching location is preferred.
- Relevant experience in teaching, childcare, culinary arts, nutrition, or a related field; formal training or certification is beneficial but not required.