Kitchen Helper (Alpha Square)

Position Title: Kitchen Helper

Reports to: Kitchen Manager

FLSA Status: Full-Time and Non-Exempt

Benefits: Alpha Project offers a generous benefits package including 14 paid holidays paid vacation sick leave and 100% employer-paid medical dental vision premium and group life insurance.

Salary: $20-22/hour commensurate with experience

Work Schedule: Thursday - Monday 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

POSITION SUMMARY

The Kitchen Helper supports the daily operations of Alpha Square Kitchen by assisting with meal preparation processing food donations and maintaining a clean safe and organized work environment. Working under the supervision of the Director of Kitchen Operations and Head Chef this position helps ensure the timely production of nutritious meals for program participants and community members. The Kitchen Helper follows proper foodhandling practices supports inventory and sanitation procedures and collaborates effectively with team members to uphold health safety and operational standards.

Food Receiving Inspection & Storage

• Receive inspect document and sort food donations.
• Organize restock rotate and label pantry refrigerator and freezer items.
• Assist with inventory and report needs.

Food Preparation & Meal Production

• Prepare salads sides and assist with main entrées.
• Support meal packing for shelters.

Sanitation Safety & Cleaning

• Maintain a clean workspace and follow safety procedures.
• Operate dish machine and three-compartment sink.
• Perform daily and deep cleaning.

Compliance & Documentation

• Complete temperature logs waste logs.
• Conduct walkthroughs and ensure proper storage.

Teamwork & Support

• Maintain respectful communication.
• Support team and complete additional duties.
• Communicate and adhere to program policies and procedures including the Good Neighbor Policy Alpha Projects Employee Handbook and Health/Safety Handbooks and all applicable safety regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those typically encountered by employees performing essential kitchen functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties.

• Ability to lift carry push or pull up to 75 lbs. including food products supplies and equipment.
• Ability to stand and walk for most of an 8-hour shift in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Frequent bending reaching stooping twisting and kneeling when performing cleaning or retrieving items.
• Regular repetitive hand wrist and arm movements during food preparation and cleaning tasks.
• Comfortable working in varying temperatures including hot humid or cold areas and around ovens stoves steam tables and walk-in refrigerators/freezers.
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise level.
• Possible contact with onsite animals/pets.
• Potential for exposure to bodily fluids.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to follow policies and procedures as established in the Companys Employee Handbook. Candidates will also contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner such that they get along with all constituent groups co-workers and addition the education experience and other skills listed below are representative of the knowledge skills and/or abilities required.

• One year of kitchen/food service experience.
• Knowledge of sanitation and food handling.
• Organizational skills and communication abilities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Prior kitchen or food-handling experience required.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations preferred.

CERTIFICATION

• Food handler certification preferred.

KEY SKILLS

• Time management teamwork and safety awareness.
• The ability to organize and prioritize projects and multiple tasks effectively and on time is required.
• Maintain a clean driving record required.
• Current drivers license required.

EQUIPMENT & APPLICATIONS

• Dishwasher machine.
• Three-compartment sink.
• Working knowledge of all standard kitchen tools.

Alpha Project for the Homeless provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race color creed religion gender age sexual orientation national origin disability veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state federal or local law .