Line Cook

Hope The Mission: Line CookThe mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.HTM's kitchen produces thousands of scratch-cooked meals every day. That production depends on cooks who know their craft, work with precision under pressure, and execute at high volume without sacrificing quality. The Line Cook is the technical core of that operation.Reporting to the Chef de Cuisine, the Line Cook prepares and cooks food across HTM's meal production. This includes executing recipes accurately, maintaining quality and consistency at every station, keeping workspaces clean and organized, supporting inventory and food safety procedures, and assisting the bakery, dish, and events teams as needed.The standard is not effort — it is execution. Recipes are followed precisely. Food safety is non-negotiable. At HTM, what comes off the line reflects the value the organization places on the people it serves. That is the context in which this work happens every day.ResponsibilitiesFood Production & Recipe ExecutionPrepare and cook a wide range of dishes including meats, seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients using proper culinary techniquesExecute recipes accurately and consistently according to standards set by the Chef de Cuisine and Executive ChefCreate sauces, marinades, bases, mixes, stocks, and broths in accordance with company recipes and techniquesApportion and serve food to residents, employees, or patrons as directedAssist with cooking food according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, and portion requirementsQuality Control & Food SafetyMonitor consistency and presentation of all food items and make adjustments as neededFollow all food safety regulations and sanitation standards at all timesMaintain a clean and sanitary workstation throughout the entire shiftInspect and clean all equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure a functional and hygienic environmentFollow FIFO procedures; rotate and properly store all food itemsEquipment Operation & MaintenanceOperate, maintain, and clean all kitchen equipment including scales, ovens, stovetops, braising pans, steam kettles, steamers, grills, and flat topsMaintain and organize kitchen tools and utensils to ensure they are clean and in good working conditionReport any equipment malfunctions or safety hazards to the Chef de Cuisine promptlyInventory & StorageRestock inventory and assist with putting away daily deliveriesNotify the Chef de Cuisine of any low stock levelsOrganize and clean all kitchen areas including dry storage, refrigeration, and freezer storageTeam Support & Cross-Functional AssistanceAssist in training and mentoring less experienced cooks and prep cooksWork with volunteers and workers who support meal preparation and serviceAssist the bakery team, dish team, and other Food Services team members as neededAssist with staff meals, special events, and catering as neededPerform other duties as assignedRequirementsMust pass pre-employment background checkMust pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screeningsMust provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United StatesMust comply with all HTM policies including safety, confidentiality, conduct, and HIPAA standardsFood Handler Certification required or must be obtained upon hireAbility to stand for extended periods throughout the full duration of the shiftAbility to carry, lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and reach overhead regularlyAbility to perform repetitive hand and wrist motions throughout the shiftAbility to work weekends and holidays as requiredFull-Time | Non-Exempt classificationQualificationsMinimum three years of culinary experience requiredMinimum two years of line cook experience in a professional kitchen requiredHigh-volume production experience preferredCulinary degree preferredHigh school diploma or GED preferredAbility to read and follow recipes accuratelyUnderstanding of knife handling and kitchen safetyCommitment to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessnessSkillsProficiency in scratch-cooking techniques across a range of proteins, vegetables, and prepared itemsKnowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and temperature control requirementsAbility to execute recipes with precision and maintain consistency across high-volume productionAbility to operate and maintain commercial kitchen equipment safely and effectivelyStrong organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail under time constraintsAbility to work calmly and effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environmentAbility to follow direction from the Chef de Cuisine and Executive ChefAbility to work collaboratively with kitchen staff, volunteers, and team members across departmentsMandatory RequirementsBackground Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of background checks as required per worksite.Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.Legal Eligibility to Work – Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the US.Compliance with Company Policies and HIPAA standards – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, EquipmentThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; various office machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing.Work EnvironmentThe employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants' use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure or in crisis intervention.EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.HTM will consider qualified applicants