Operations Associate

Damar Services • Richmond, IN

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Employees at Damar aren’t just part of a workforce — they’re part of a mission-driven team making a real difference in people’s lives. Since 1967, Damar has been recognized across Indiana as one of the largest not-for-profit organizations and a leading provider of behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) services. We foster a united, purpose-driven culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to give their best. It’s no surprise Damar has been named a Top Workplace for several years! Ready to make a real difference? Join us in empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism. We are currently seeking a talented, motivated and detail oriented individuals to join our highly skilled team. The Operations Associate provides hands-on operational support with primary responsibility for daily food and nutrition operations at the Damar East campus, including food preparation, reheating, portioning, meal service, special diets, sanitation, and required documentation. As part of Damar East’s integrated operations team, the position also supports environmental services, facility readiness, inventory, and basic maintenance coordination as assigned. The Operations Associate works under the direction of the Operations Manager and collaborates with Indianapolis based support teams, Damar East leadership, vendors, and service partners to provide safe, timely, accurate, and client-centered services.

Requirements

• Prior experience in a commercial or institutional kitchen strongly preferred
• Experience with food preparation, meal service, sanitation, inventory management, receiving, and recordkeeping preferred
• Experience with special diets, allergen awareness, food safety, and regulatory requirements preferred
• Experience supporting environmental services, housekeeping, facility readiness, or basic maintenance coordination preferred
• Experience working in a healthcare, residential, school, behavioral health, or human services environment preferred
• ServSafe certification required or must be obtained within 18 months of hire
• Must complete required training in food safety, sanitation, allergen awareness, special diets, cleaning procedures, and chemical safety
• Must maintain all required continuing education, certifications, and department-related training requirements as applicable
• Ability to pass and maintain CPR Certification
• Minimum age of 21 per licensure requirements
• Must meet and maintain background screening requirements for all Damar programs as detailed in policy 1.HR.02 Pre-Employment and Employee Background Checks
• Valid Indiana driver’s license and driving record that meets eligibility requirements of Damar’s insurance carrier (for all positions requiring driving)
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical required

Responsibilities

• Performs assigned food preparation, cooking, reheating, holding, portioning, and meal service duties according to approved menus, recipes, production records, meal counts, diet instructions, and supervisor direction
• Reviews meal counts and production information to ensure adequate and accurate preparation of meals, snacks, beverages, and supplemental items
• Supports the safe and accurate preparation of regular meals, special diets, texture-modified meals, allergen-controlled meals, and medically tailored meals
• Verifies food quality, portion size, temperature, appearance, and accuracy before meals are served or distributed
• Assists with receiving, loading, unloading, organizing, transporting, and distributing food, meal carts, snacks, beverages, and operational supplies
• Maintains safe food temperatures during receiving, storage, preparation, holding, transport, and service
• Completes required records, including temperature logs, production records, cleaning records, receiving records, inventory sheets, and meal-count documentation
• Labels, dates, stores, rotates, and disposes of food and supplies according to established procedures and FIFO practices
• Cleans and sanitizes equipment, utensils, preparation surfaces, carts, service areas, floors, storage areas, and other assigned spaces
• Follows established requirements for food safety, sanitation, handwashing, personal hygiene, allergen control, chemical use, and cross-contamination prevention
• Assists with opening, closing, end-of-shift cleaning, and preparation for future meal service
• Monitors food, beverage, paper, cleaning, and operational supplies and communicates shortages, damaged products, or ordering needs to the Operations Manager
• Assists with assigned environmental services duties in kitchen, dining, service, storage, restroom, common, office, and other designated campus areas
• Performs routine cleaning tasks, including wiping surfaces, sweeping, mopping, emptying trash, restocking supplies, and cleaning high-touch areas
• Supports room setup, breakdown, supply distribution, and operational preparation for meetings, client activities, special events, and campus programs
• Conducts basic visual checks of assigned kitchen, service, storage, common, and operational areas to help maintain a safe and ready campus environment
• Identifies and reports equipment failures, plumbing concerns, lighting issues, temperature concerns, damaged fixtures, safety hazards, and other facility needs
• Assists with communicating and following up on work-order requests and provides basic operational information to maintenance staff or approved vendors as directed
• Performs basic non-technical facility support tasks and does not perform electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, or other specialized maintenance work unless trained and authorized
• Cross-trains and assists with foodservice, environmental services, stocking, delivery, campus-readiness, and other operational assignments based on daily needs
• Works collaboratively and interacts respectfully and professionally with clients, families, staff, visitors, vendors, and other stakeholders
• Attends required meetings and training, completes incident reporting and mandatory documentation, and follows all Damar policies and safety expectations
• Performs other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Eligible for the Damar Advantage including discounts at Damar Health Services and Damar Pharmacy
• Comprehensive training in verbal intervention and physical management techniques
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• Up to $3,000 per year in Tuition Assistance
• Save for your retirement with our 401(k) Plan Participation
• Take care of loved ones through our Damar provided Life Insurance and additional voluntary options
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance options
• Paid Holidays to spend time with loved ones
• Paid Time Off (PTO) for rest and renewal

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed