Cook I

PURPOSE:

Kaplan House, located in Manhattan, provides therapeutic and supportive services to adolescents and young adults ages 17-21 who are referred through ACS and the juvenile justice system. Residents may have experienced significant trauma and may require support with behavioral, emotional, educational, and independent living needs. Kaplan House provides a structured residential environment with comprehensive independent living, vocational, and educational services designed to support youth in developing the skills necessary for successful transition to greater independence.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Cook is responsible for planning, preparing, and serving three nutritious, well-balanced meals daily in a residential setting. The Cook ensures that meals are prepared in accordance with established nutritional, food safety, sanitation, and agency standards. The Cook is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, organized, and sanitary kitchen; managing food inventory and supplies; completing required food service documentation; receiving and properly storing deliveries; and maintaining compliance with applicable Department of Health and food safety requirements.

The Cook is also expected to interact professionally and appropriately with youth and staff and contribute to a safe, respectful, and supportive residential environment.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, prepare, and serve three nutritious, well-balanced meals daily, including meals that accommodate approved dietary restrictions and nutritional needs.
• Develop weekly menus for meals and snacks in accordance with agency, nutritional, and program requirements.
• Order adequate food, kitchen supplies, and other necessary items on a weekly basis using the agency's designated electronic ordering system.
• Follow USDA nutritional guidelines and applicable food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Adhere to agency requirements regarding Kosher food preparation and handling, as applicable.
• Maintain accurate daily temperature logs for refrigerators, freezers, and other applicable food storage equipment.
• Complete required daily meal counts and other food service documentation accurately and timely.
• Receive, inspect, and properly store food and supply deliveries upon arrival.
• Label and date food and supplies appropriately and maintain proper storage practices.
• Monitor food inventory, expiration dates, and product quality to minimize waste and spoilage.
• Maintain an adequate emergency food supply and monitor inventory to ensure supplies remain available and within expiration dates.
• Practice proper food handling and storage procedures to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illness.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, organized, and safe kitchen and food preparation area at all times.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces, equipment, utensils, and kitchen areas in accordance with established procedures.
• Utilize appropriate inventory rotation practices, including First In, First Out (FIFO).
• Report damaged equipment, maintenance concerns, food shortages, sanitation issues, or other kitchen-related concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with applicable Department of Health, food safety, sanitation, and agency standards.
• Maintain professional and appropriate interactions with youth, staff, vendors, and visitors.
• Support youth participation in appropriate kitchen activities when assigned and ensure safe food handling practices are followed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES for the position include:

• Ability to read and write, follow oral and written instruction
• Willingness to work with children/ adolescents living with the impact of trauma and experience mental health challenges
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma
• Must hold a food handles license

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/LANGUAGE PREFERENCE:

• Previous experience in food preparation, cooking, or working in a kitchen environment preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and proper food-handling procedures required.
• Ability to follow recipes, meal plans, and dietary instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and residents/youth.
• English proficiency required; ability to communicate in additional languages is a plus.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Basic computer skills required.
• Ability to use email, electronic scheduling systems, and basic electronic documentation.
• Ability to complete required meal, inventory, and food-service documentation electronically.

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXIERITY:

• Ability to read recipes, food labels, measurements, and cooking instructions.
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment, utensils, and appliances.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as chopping, cutting, stirring, lifting, carrying, and serving food.
• Ability to visually inspect food for quality, freshness, proper preparation, and presentation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Food Handler/ServSafe certification, if required

• The ability walk up and down stairs
• The ability to lift and carry 15 lbs

• Prior institutional, residential, school, healthcare, or commercial cooking experience preferred
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation
• Ability to prepare meals for groups
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Ability to follow dietary/Kosher requirements
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate effectively with youth and staff
• Ability to lift and carry food/supply deliveries
• Ability to work the required residential schedule, including weekends/holidays if applicable
• Required background checks and agency training

If you join us, you'll have these great benefits:

• Generous paid time off in addition to paid agency holidays and 15 sick days
• Affordable and high-quality medical/dental/vision plans
• Tuition assistance and educational loan forgiveness
• Free continuing education opportunities
• 403(b) retirement benefits and a pension
• Flexible spending accounts for health and transportation
• 27/7 Accessible Employee Assistance Program
• Life and disability insurance

Who we are:

The Jewish Board delivers innovative, high-quality, and compassionate mental health and social services to over 45,000 New Yorkers each year. We are unique in serving everyone from infants and their families to children, teens, and adults. We are proud to employ and serve people of all religions, races, cultural backgrounds, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. We are committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams to help support our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds to apply to work with us.

More on Equal Opportunity:

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.