Prep Cook - EMJD

Kitchens for Good

POSITION TITLE: Prep-Cook

REPORTS TO: Chef 

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

COMPENSATION: $18.00-$22.00

LOCATION: East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility San Diego, CA 

POSITIONS: 2 

Who we are: 

Kitchens for Good transforms lives through culinary arts.

Position Summary: 

The Prep Cook is responsible for assisting in the preparation of meals for individuals housed in the detention facility, ensuring food safety and sanitation standards are met. This role also includes maintaining cleanliness in the dish pit area and supporting overall kitchen operations in a secure and structured environment

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Prepare ingredients for daily meals including chopping vegetables, portioning food, and assembling trays.
• Follow standardized recipes and portion control guidelines.
• Assist in cooking and baking under supervision, as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of food prep areas.
• Operate dishwashing equipment and ensure all kitchenware, utensils, and trays are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Monitor dish pit area for cleanliness and safety, including proper disposal of waste.
• Adhere to all food safety regulations and facility protocols.
• Professionally communicate with correctional staff regarding kitchen operations, inmate movement, and safety procedures.
• Provide meals to correctional staff in a courteous and timely manner, ensuring their dietary needs and preferences are respected.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and report shortages or equipment issues.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures, including tool and equipment accountability.
• Participate in routine inspections and audits as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Competencies:

• Collaboration Skills 
• Customer/Client Focus 
• Flexibility 
• Stress Management/Composure
• Excellent Communication 

Work Environment:

This job operates in a kitchen environment, housed with equipment such as an oven, stove, dishwasher, slicer, coffee machine, steamer, mixer and chef’s knives. The employee is frequently exposed to heat steam, fire and noise.   

• Secure detention facility with strict safety and conduct protocols
• Frequent interaction with correctional staff and occasional supervised contact with incarcerated individuals. 
• The kitchen is located at the East Mesa (detention center for youth) at 446 Alta Rd #6100 San Diego, 92158. 
• Employees will interact with Kitchens for Good Staff and the staff of the detention center.  

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

The employee is occasionally required to sit, stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, push, and pull items weighing 50 pounds or less. The position requires manual dexterity; auditory and visual skills, and the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time position, non-exempt position scheduled at 40 hours a week. Includes weekend and evening shifts. Am shifts and PM shifts available and may vary depending on the needs of the organization. Employee must be willing and able to work across locations when needed. 

Travel:

Employees will be expected to travel to additional locations.  

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement savings
• Professional development budget
• 14 paid holidays
• Generous PTO Plan

Acknowledgment 

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. Kitchens for Good will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result. 

 AT-WILL:The individual hired in this role will be at-will and will be subject to termination by the employee or the Company, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) STATEMENT 

The Company will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact Juanita Atitsogbuie at 619-736-1873 or?juanita@kitchensforgood.org.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT 

The Company is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Education and Work Experience:

• Minimum high graduate or equivalent
• At least 6 months of experience as a prep cook or dishwasher 
• Graduated Kitchens for Good Apprentice (Certified by the Department of Apprenticeship Standards) – highly desired
• Working knowledge of various computer software programs (MS Office, etc.)
• Food handlers (or willing to obtain one upon hire which will be scheduled and paid for by the organization) 

Background checks: 

Must undergo and pass Criminal background clearance through the Probation (backgrounds), State of California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

Drug screen and Tuberculosis Testing.