DSC/Kitchen Support

Housing Matters•Santa Cruz, CA

7d•$22 - $23

About The Position

Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. We are a leader in working to end homelessness – and we want you to be part of our team! We are looking for individuals eager to make a difference and willing to enthusiastically commit to join in our vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. Working under the supervision of the Kitchen Manager, the DSC/Kitchen Support staff is responsible for maintaining a clean kitchen while prepping, cooking, and providing meals for Housing Matters residential participants. The ideal candidate will be able to work alongside volunteers, Kitchen staff, and campus shelter DSCs and be immersed in the day-to-day operations of running an institutional kitchen while practicing safe food handling standards and procedures. This position will share time between the Housing Matter's main campus and two of the Housing Matters off-campus locations; Live Oak Landing (The Landing) and Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH).

Requirements

Kitchen cleaning and safety procedures
Kitchen organizational skills
Food Handling
Customer service skills
Barriers to housing for people experiencing homelessness
De-escalation techniques
Multitasking in a fast-paced environment
Radio communication
Sanitation techniques
Regular standing, walking, sitting, crouching, stooping, and communication are required.
Requires manual dexterity for regular repetitive finger motion and frequent reaching, pulling, pushing, and lifting objects and operating equipment.
Requires the ability to lift 60 lbs.
Must be ServSafe certified.
Ability to work independently and with little supervision
Must be in possession of a valid Driver’s License, as driving for food delivery between Housing Matters sites will be assigned.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED completion
Bilingual English and Spanish speaking a plus
Familiarity with professional kitchens
CPR and First Aid certification is preferred

Responsibilities

Preparing, cooking, and serving meals. Food prepared must meet quality and Serve-safe standards for taste, temperature (doneness), and visual appeal.
Use all equipment in a safe manner according to proper procedures – stove, title skillet, kettle, convection ovens, can openers, knives, steam tables, ice wands, trash compactor, carts).
Wash dishes and kitchen equipment.
Taking inventory and checking orders that arrive from the warehouse; organizing storage.
Following opening and closing procedures.
Maintaining and following cleaning and sanitizing protocols to ensure a safe environment.
Supporting shelter programs and day services
Maintaining a safe, secure, and clean environment
Be available to answer questions and problem-solve with shelter guests
Distribute snacks and supplies when available
Understand and apply housing first and harm reduction strategies
Maintain and role model professional boundaries at all times
Respond appropriately to potential encounters using de‐escalation techniques
Call upon community resources for assistance when appropriate
Communicate with safety and staff via email or during shift handoffs
When appropriate, complete Incident Reports under policy guidelines
Review and maintain accurate documentation during shifts
Provide support to other staff members
Attend staff and agency trainings and meetings as required
Other duties as assigned