Lead Chef

Marana Health•Marana, AZ

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Marana Health is seeking a Lead Chef to join the Behavioral Health team at the Marana Main Health Center, located in the heart of Marana, AZ. The Lead Chef serves as a culinary specialist supporting Marana Health’s programming and community initiatives. This role does not oversee café operations but works in collaboration with the Copper Café Supervisor to enhance menu offerings and support kitchen functions as needed. The Lead Chef plays a key role in community engagement through expanding the catering, special events, and board meetings, while also providing hands on cooking instruction and nutrition education to behavioral health patients. This position delivers billable services through client engagement, including teaching healthy meal preparation, basic nutrition concepts, and food label literacy. Marana Health is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC), with 11 sites in Tucson and Pima County. Our mission is to improve our community by providing exceptional, whole-person healthcare.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency
Valid Food Handler’s Certification (or ability to obtain prior to start)
Fingerprint Clearance Card through Arizona Department of Public Safety
39-month Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
Minimum of 3–5 years of professional culinary experience
Strong culinary skills including food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation
Knowledge of food safety standards, sanitation regulations, and kitchen compliance
Ability to develop healthy, cost-effective, and culturally relevant recipes
Ability to teach cooking skills and nutrition concepts in an engaging and accessible way
Knowledge of basic nutrition principles and food label interpretation
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities
Understanding of trauma-informed care and client-centered approaches
Ability to balance multiple responsibilities including catering, teaching, and documentation
Ability to document services and complete billing requirements accurately
Strong organizational and time management skills

Nice To Haves

Culinary degree or formal culinary training
Experience in a healthcare, nonprofit, or training environment
Experience working with individuals with behavioral health needs or disabilities
Knowledge of billing processes or electronic health record systems
ServSafe Manager Certification
Experience with catering and event planning
Basic knowledge of nutrition, healthy meal planning, and food labeling

Responsibilities

Provide support to Copper Café through catering menu consultation, recipe development, and culinary guidance as needed
Plan, prepare, and execute catering services for community events and organizational functions
Prepare meals for board meetings and internal events
Develop and lead cooking classes for behavioral health patients
Teach clients how to prepare healthy, affordable meals
Educate clients on reading and understanding food labels and making informed nutrition choices
Provide hands-on instruction to support skill development in cooking, kitchen safety, and meal planning
Engage clients in structured, billable services aligned with program goals
Complete and document client encounters in accordance with program and billing requirements
Collaborate with Employment Services and behavioral health teams to support client progress
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment during all activities
Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards
Assist with food purchasing and planning related to catering and program needs
Participate in community outreach and events as a representative of Marana Health programs
Follow all organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards
Perform other duties as assigned