Prep Cook - Externship

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary

Scratch cooking at scale begins before anything hits the heat. It begins with vegetables that are washed, peeled, and cut correctly. With ingredients that are measured accurately and ready on time. With a workstation that is organized and a kitchen that can move without stopping to find what it needs. The Prep Cook is responsible for that foundation — and without it, production does not happen.

Reporting to the Chef de Cuisine, the Prep Cook supports HTM's high-volume meal production through ingredient preparation, portioning, basic cooking tasks, inventory monitoring, equipment operation, and workstation maintenance. Recipes are followed precisely. Ingredients are stored and labeled properly. Food safety standards are non-negotiable.

This is an entry-level production role, but entry does not mean low-stakes. Every vegetable improperly cut, every ingredient mismeasured, every station left disorganized creates a ripple that affects everything downstream — including the meals served to people experiencing homelessness. Showing up with skill, consistency, and a genuine commitment to the work is what this role requires every day.

Responsibilities

Ingredient Preparation & Production

• Wash, peel, and chop vegetables, fruits, and other food items to recipe specifications

• Measure and portion ingredients accurately according to established recipes

• Assist with cooking food according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, and required portion sizes

• Apportion and serve food to residents, employees, or patrons as directed

• Follow recipes and production guidelines to maintain consistency in food quality and presentation

• Monitor the quality of ingredients and finished dishes; report any issues to the supervisor promptly

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Operate kitchen equipment including scales, ovens, steam kettles, braising pans, flat tops, steamers, slicers, food processors, and stovetops safely and efficiently

• Maintain kitchen tools and utensils to ensure they are clean and in good working condition

• Inspect all equipment and kitchen appliances regularly; report any malfunctions or safety concerns to the supervisor

Workspace Organization & Sanitation

• Maintain a clean and sanitary workstation throughout the entire shift

• Organize and clean all kitchen areas including dry storage, refrigeration, and freezer storage

• Follow all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards at all times

• Assist with post-service cleanup including dishwashing as needed

Inventory Support

• Monitor inventory levels and notify the supervisor when supplies are running low

• Restock ingredient bins and assist with putting away daily deliveries

Team Support & Cross-Functional Assistance

• Support chefs and kitchen staff with cooking tasks to ensure timely and smooth meal preparation

• Assist the bakery team and dish team as needed

• Work with volunteers and workers who support meal preparation and service

• Assist with staff meals and special events as needed

• Adapt to changes in menu or kitchen priorities as directed

• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Must pass pre-employment background check

• Must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings

• Must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States

• Must comply with all HTM policies including safety, confidentiality, conduct, and HIPAA standards

• Food Handler Certification required or must be obtained upon hire

• Ability to read and follow recipes accurately

• Ability to take direction from the Chef de Cuisine and Executive Chef

• Ability to stand for extended periods throughout the full duration of the shift

• Ability to carry, lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and reach overhead regularly

• Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist motions throughout the shift

• Ability to work weekends and holidays as required

• Full-Time | Non-Exempt classification

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of culinary experience in a professional kitchen

• High-volume production experience preferred

• High school diploma or GED required

• Basic knife skills and understanding of kitchen safety required

• Familiarity with food safety regulations and proper food handling and storage practices

• Commitment to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Skills

• Working knowledge of ingredient preparation techniques including washing, peeling, chopping, portioning, and measuring

• Ability to operate and maintain commercial kitchen equipment safely and effectively

• Knowledge of food safety regulations and sanitation standards

• Ability to follow recipes precisely and maintain consistency across high-volume production

• Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail under time constraints

• Ability to manage multiple prep tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively

• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to collaborate with kitchen staff, bakers, dish team members, and volunteers

Mandatory Requirements

• Background 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, Equipment

The 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 Environment

The 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 with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.