Location: Bend, Oregon - In Person
Status: Non-Exempt, Part-Time
At the Redmond Center our mission is to create safe, healing environments where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to pursue personal growth and stability. We strive to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and walk alongside those facing life-controlling challenges such as trauma, addiction, and homelessness. Through emergency shelter, case management, and supportive services, we seek not only to address immediate needs but to foster lasting, positive change. Our vision is to help individuals break cycles of hardship and achieve meaningful transformation, ensuring that everyone in Central Oregon has the opportunity to find hope, stability, and healing.
We are seeking a passionate and mission-driven Kitchen Team Member (Dishwasher) to help expand the impact of Shepherd’s House Ministries across all sites and advance this life-changing work.
Our kitchen team members work under the supervision of the Kitchen Manager and are responsible for supporting daily operations in the kitchen and food service department. This role includes dish-washing, meal preparation, serving, and ensuring the safe handling of food. The kitchen team members also play a role in community engagement, supporting the educational needs of guests in nutrition, and overseeing staff, volunteers, and kitchen compliance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist in daily kitchen operations, including dish-washing Ensures that all dishes, utensils, cookware, and kitchen equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized to support meal service for the guests May support in meal preparation, and service to ensure three nutritious meals are provided daily. May support basic food preparation tasks (e.g., washing, chopping, portioning, and packaging food) under direction of kitchen leadership Prepare and distribute boxed meals and coordinate food delivery as needed. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local food safety regulations, including proper storage, labeling, rotation (FIFO), and temperature monitoring. Maintain accurate records, including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, receiving documentation, and donation tracking. Monitor inventory, assist with ordering, receive deliveries, and ensure proper inspection and storage of purchased and donated food. Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of kitchen equipment, prep areas, storage spaces, and dining areas. Supervise and support cooks, kitchen assistants, and volunteers to ensure quality, safety, and mission alignment. Build and maintain relationships with community food donors and support special events and cross-department initiatives. Provide respectful peer support in a low-barrier environment, participate in required meetings and trainings, and promptly communicate safety concerns. Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
Valid Food Handler’s Card (Oregon required). Minimum 1–2 years of experience in a commercial, institutional, or high-volume kitchen (200 meals per service preferred). Knowledge of food safety standards, sanitation procedures, and health department compliance requirements. Ability to safely lift up to 40 lbs and stand for extended periods. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail (temperature logs, donation tracking, compliance documentation). Ability to supervise and coordinate volunteers. Commitment to the mission, values, and faith-based culture of Shepherd’s House Ministries. Valid driver’s license, acceptable to inclusion on our insurance. Willing to drive personal or company vehicle. Employment is contingent upon successfully completion of a background check in accordance with organizational standards. Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
Work is performed in a high-volume commercial kitchen and dining environment daily, with exposure to heat, steam, sharp tools, commercial equipment, cleaning chemicals, and moderate to high noise levels. Schedule may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with occasional travel between Shepherd’s House Ministries sites for meal delivery or donation pick-up. Regular interaction with individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use in a low-barrier setting; environment may include behavioral disruptions or crisis situations requiring professionalism and emotional resilience. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting, pushing, and pulling during food preparation and cleaning tasks. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds regularly and heavier items with assistance; repetitive hand and wrist movements required for food preparation and equipment operation. Ability to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment, maintain situational awareness in a busy environment, monitor food safety standards, and respond quickly in emergency or crisis situations. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please contact a member of The People Team.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Shepherd’s House Ministries provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
