Culinary Assistant

ODYSSEY BEHAVIORAL GROUP•Locust Grove, VA

About The Position

The Culinary Assistant is responsible for preparing and serving food items with attention to the dietary needs of clients and within food safety standards. Culinary Assistants maintain food preparation, storage and serving areas ensuring the environment is always safe and clean. Relationships and Contacts Within the organization: Initiates and maintains strong professional relationships with peers, immediate supervisor, and leadership throughout the organization. Outside the organization: Initiates and maintains strong professional relationships with clients and families, clinical providers, referral partners and vendors, as needed.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent combination of education experience; trade or vocational school training preferred.
One (1) or more years of previous experience in a culinary setting preferred.
Must have Safe Serve certification, or obtain upon hire.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to communicate with peers/general public, clients and/or vendors
Tolerant to various noise levels: noise level in the work environment varies – may be very quiet to moderate
Job performance will require the ability to move throughout the building as well as sit or remain stationary for extended periods of time
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to talk or hear, sit, stand, walk, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell.
Ability to move up to 50 pounds
Position requires incumbent to have a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Clearance of criminal background, TB test, and any other mandatory state/federal requirements.
Current CPR and First Aid certification
Demonstrates a high level of customer service.
Demonstrates a high attention to detail and organizational and prioritizing skills.
Demonstrates foundational knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite.
Demonstrates the ability to integrate feedback from team members.
Demonstrates a clear understanding of safety and security standards.
Demonstrates strong problem solving and the ability to use sound judgement.
Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrates a strong belief in and commitment to the Company values and mission.

Responsibilities

Ensures clients’ dietary needs are met, to include accommodations for allergies and specialized meal plans.
Follows all food safety, food storage, health safety, food service and sanitation standards.
Follows recipes, prepares, and serves healthy and flavorful meals to clients in a timely manner.
Utilizes proper sanitation and safety methods for storing, preparing and serving foods.
Ensures all food items are properly labeled and safe storage temperatures are maintained and logged in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
Follows published menus and completes substitution schedule when necessary.
Follows the cleaning schedule as posted.
Collaborates with team members for menu changes to accommodate client needs and special diets.
Ensures inventory is well stocked and equipment is in good working order.
Assists with controlling food costs by following proper storage procedures, standardizing recipes, and minimizing waste.
Prepares extra meals for visitors and/or staff, as needed.
Identifies and reports the presence of unhealthy/unsafe conditions in the work area.
Can be relied upon to be at work as scheduled and is rarely absent from work, notifying the supervisor if absent.
Demonstrates an ability to adapt to changes in the facility function, management styles, and facility routines.
Adheres to facility policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, implementing regularly.
Maintains positive attitude and acts as a team player with others on the team.
Attends all trainings within assigned time frames as required by the facility.
Other duties as assigned.