KITCHEN PORTER

ABOUT DC CENTRAL KITCHEN:

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. Our approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city. We serve scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; deliver fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets; provide delicious catering; and operate fast-casual cafés. Above all else, we are committed to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive community, both outside our doors and right here on our team. We strive to offer a safe environment to learn, discover and develop individual strengths, and pursue meaningful career pathways. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we recognize and work to address the lasting effects of historic injustices and systemic racism, and we strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ people, returning citizens, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply to join our team.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is a national leader in the future of hunger relief, empowering the next generation of leaders to implement innovative models for combatting hunger, developing food systems, and helping communities to help themselves. The Culinary Operations department is an integral part of this innovative approach with a focus on consistent and efficient preparation of high-quality, delicious, and nutritious food products, food safety, and stellar customer service.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Kitchen Porter works under the direct supervision of the Production Lead to ensure efficient that kitchen equipment remain organized and sanitized. The Kitchen Porter supports overall culinary operations by ensuring that all relevant areas are clean, organized, and stored. In addition to consistent maintenance and sanitation of the kitchen environment including kitchen equipment, this role is also responsible for maintaining inventory of kitchen supplies and ensuring that supplies are ordered in time by communicating these needs to the Production Lead or Manager on duty. The Kitchen Porter ensures the completion of daily tasks that are listed on opening and closing checklists, ensuring that daily upkeep and sanitation and preventative maintenance are monitored and maintained.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effectively represent the mission of DC Central Kitchen to all internal and external customers, including staff, students, customers, visitors, volunteers, and other members of the community.
• Complete cleaning tasks on the opening and closing checklists daily.
• Perform frequent cleaning of the following areas throughout the day: bathrooms, lunchroom, dry storage room, refrigerators, freezers, shelving, floors, and walls.
• Clean large equipment like hood vents, food transport equipment, flatbeds, speed racks, refer & freezer doors & floors.
• Perform daily cleaning of all kitchen shelving and kitchen racks.
• Perform daily cleaning of microwave and weekly cleaning of staff refrigerator.
• Perform general office cleaning.
• Remove trash from food prep areas several times during each shift.
• Take trash to outdoor dumpster/compacter as needed.
• Assist drivers in loading and unloading & storing large food donations as well as equipment.
• Work with volunteers and/or students in a courteous and friendly manner.
• Perform other duties and tasks as required or requested to maintain quality relationships with all our partners and customers and / or duties and tasks needed to drive the vision, mission, and values of DC Central Kitchen.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current ServSafe Certification and must maintain certification during employment.
• Graduate of CJT Program is preferred
• Prior experience in high volume food production, restaurants, or institutional food service
• Working knowledge of commercial grade kitchen equipment use, safety, and maintenance
• Strong communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate with co-workers
• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure
• Pre-employment background check, COVID-19 vaccine, drug test and TB test are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be capable of independent local travel.
• May occasionally move kitchen equipment or product weighing up to 50 pounds
• Must be comfortable with moderate physical activity and the ability to stand and walk for up to 10 hours per day
• Ability to maintain fast-paced activities for periods of up to 6 hours in length
• Ability to perform general physical activities that require considerable use of arms, legs, and moving your whole body, such as: climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials; Ability to bend, lean, reach and stoop without hindrance; Possess fine motor skills, stand and/or walk for long periods
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands, fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear; taste or smell.
• Ability to work in an environment where exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, dirt, smoke, loud noise, and a variety of odors is common.
• This job description is subject to change at any time.

BENEFITS:

• Medical and dental insurance (DCCK pays 100% of employee premiums for individual coverage)
• Vision Insurance
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and personal leave)
• 10 Company Paid Holidays
• Bonding Leave for new parents
• Commuter Benefits plan
• Matching 401(k) program
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Reimbursement program

NOTE:


This document is an outline of the primary tasks assigned and may be changed at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. All team members are expected to assist DC Central Kitchen in achieving its goals even if such tasks are beyond the scope of this outline. The job description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.


DC Central Kitchen is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and a Strengths-based organization.