Food Service Utility Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Mission Statement:

Father Bill’s & MainSpring is committed to ending and preventing homelessness in Southern Massachusetts with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. We help people who are struggling with homelessness or are at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.

Father Bill’s & MainSpring is a growing and dynamic social service agency with expertise in emergency and permanent housing, job training and placement, and prevention services for individuals and families in need. Over the next five years, our strategic focus includes an increase in affordable, permanent supportive housing, a more efficient model of care for families experiencing homelessness, commitment to an enhanced delivery model to reduce the need for shelter, and improved community relations in order to achieve these goals. Our staff are thoughtful and caring individuals who share our passion for these ideals and creative approaches to helping people improve their lives.

This position is intended to be a Food Service Utility Worker position in both our individual emergency shelters in Quincy and Brockton. This position is responsible for assisting the Food Service Worker/Food Service Manager in the day-to-day food operations of the shelter kitchens. This includes, but not limited to, dish washing, kitchen cleaning, meal set-up, receiving food donations, and assisting the cooks in meal prep/serving. Hours: Friday thru Tue 10:30am – 6:30pm (40 hrs.) 

In addition, the Food Service Utility Worker will work closely with volunteers and donors. This position requires an understanding of food delivery systems and an understanding of the homeless population. The ideal candidate would have experience working in industrial kitchens, serving 3 meals a day for approximately 175 people. This position reports directly to the Food Service Manager.

• Assist with daily meal service, including set-up, serving, breakdown, and clean-up.
• Assist volunteers with basic food preparation, cleaning, and sanitation procedures.
• Wash dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and kitchen equipment in accordance with sanitation standards.
• Assist in the inspection of workstations for compliance and follow established kitchen policies. Ensures that all equipment and areas are properly cleaned at all times.
• Receive, sort, label, rotate, and properly store food deliveries and donations.
• Monitor food temperatures, storage practices, and sanitation procedures to support food safety compliance including all health, safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Assist with special meals, holiday meals, and events in both regions in conjunction with the Food Service Workers and the Food Service Manager.
• Work closely with all shelter management staff to ensure appropriate coverage for all meals, provide coverage or support at other shelter kitchen locations as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen, dining, storage, and food preparation areas.
• Follow agency policies, confidentiality expectations, and professional boundaries when interacting with shelter guests.

• Maintain necessary records/documentation.
• Help maintain a respectful, calm, and welcoming environment for guests, volunteers, donors and staff.
• Communicate any maintenance, equipment, safety, or food quality concerns to the Food Service Manager promptly.

• Empathy: An understanding and empathy for those dealing with homelessness and related issues.

• Professionalism: Maintains the highest level of professionalism in the delivery of services, building relationships, collaboration with co-workers, and representation of Father Bill’s & MainSpring within the organization and the community.

• Communication: Speaks appropriately in positive and/or negative conversations with supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, donors and constituents; Articulates the goals of Father Bill’s & MainSpring.

• Record-Keeping: Routine clerical or record-keeping incidental to the essential responsibilities of the job (including, but not limited to, food bank order and in-kind donation forms).

• Job Knowledge: Possesses the practical and technical knowledge required for the job.

• Attendance: Acceptable overall attendance record, consistently at work and on time.

• Reliability: Relied upon regarding task completion and follow-up. Follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.

• Initiative: Seeks out new assignments and is willing to be flexible with additional duties.

• Adherence to Policy: Follows safety and workplace expectations, regulations and processes as defined in the Employee Handbook.

• Work Ethic: Demonstrates a commitment to the Mission and adheres to the Operating Principles of Father Bill’s & MainSpring and works as part of a team toward a common goal.

• Safety & Security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

• Travel: Local travel may be required. Valid driver’s license and good driving record required.

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

The following requirements are representative of the job-related abilities needed to perform the essential functions of this position. An individual may perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable law.

1. Work for extended periods in a commercial kitchen environment, including frequent standing and walking, with the ability to change position as needed.
2. Frequently bend, reach, stoop, crouch, push, pull, grasp, and use hands for food preparation, dishwashing, cleaning, serving, and handling kitchen tools and equipment.
3. Frequently move and position food, supplies, dishes, pots, pans, and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, and occasionally move items weighing up to 50 pounds, independently or with available assistance or equipment.
4. Safely navigate kitchen, dining, storage, loading, and shelter areas, including confined or crowded workspaces and surfaces that may be wet or slippery.
5. Work near hot surfaces, steam, commercial dishwashing equipment, cleaning products, and temperatures that may vary between food storage, kitchen, and loading areas, while using required protective equipment and following safety procedures.
6. Communicate and receive information effectively with coworkers, volunteers, donors, vendors, and shelter guests in person and through other available communication methods, including in environments with routine kitchen noise.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Other duties as assigned may be part of the job.

Father Bill’s & MainSpring is an equal opportunity employer