Sous Chef - Senior Living / Omaha, NE

Ovation by Avamere•Omaha, NE

About The Position

The Sous Chef works in a senior living community serving independent living, assisted living, and memory care residents. The role helps ensure high-quality, nutritious dining experiences tailored to older adults and assists the Executive Chef with daily culinary operations, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance while accommodating residents’ dietary needs. The position is full-time, with a varied schedule, and pays $65,000–$75,000 annually, depending on experience.

Requirements

2–4 years of progressive kitchen experience, including prior supervisory roles.
Proficient knife skills, large-batch cooking, recipe standardization, and menu planning.
Food safety certification and a state Food Handler Card are required.
Maintain active CPR/BLS during employment.
Maintain confidentiality of resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
Demonstrate patience, empathy, organizational ability, and adaptable communication skills.
Have a genuine desire to improve seniors’ quality of life.

Nice To Haves

Culinary degree or formal apprenticeship.
Certified Food Protection Manager credentials, such as ServSafe.
Senior living or high-volume healthcare or hospitality experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare and cook high-quality meals for multiple dining venues, including restaurant-style independent living and specialized, texture-modified memory care menus.
Supervise, train, and schedule prep cooks, line cooks, and dishwashers in the Executive Chef’s absence.
Maintain sanitation, food safety practices such as HACCP, and compliance with state health regulations for vulnerable populations.
Ensure meals meet nutritional and dietary requirements, including low-sodium, diabetic, pureed, and thickened-liquid diets.
Assist with food inventory, supply ordering, delivery receiving, and kitchen waste reduction.
Solicit feedback from residents, cater special community events, and foster a welcoming, hospitality-focused dining environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality of resident care information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
Maintain active CPR/BLS certification during employment.
Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm, cheerful environment.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with medical plans through Regence, dental coverage through Delta Dental, and vision coverage through VSP.
Employee Assistance Program offering confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs, and work/life balance.
Flexible paid time off combining vacation, sick, and holiday time.
Six recognized paid holidays, with premium pay for eligible hourly employees.
401(k) retirement plan available after 90 days, with a discretionary employer match.
Health Savings Account, with employer contributions up to $600 per year for HDHP participants.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, limited, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
Supplemental insurance options, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, life, and disability coverage.
Legal insurance.
Discounted pet insurance plans.
Employee discounts on travel, entertainment, electronics, fitness, and more.