Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant

Join McAlister Institute, a 48-year beacon in San Diego's Recovery Community. McAlister Institute is seeking a dedicated Kitchen Assistant to support our Lemon Grove residential facilities, including the Kiva Residential Program, Adult Detox, and New Connections. Reporting directly to the Kitchen Manager, this position plays a critical role in meal planning and preparation for a combined 180-bed facility.

Benefits for YOU:

• 13 paid annual holidays, including your birthday; 12 paid vacation days, paid sick leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• 403(b) Retirement Plan + up to 6% Employer Match
• Health Insurance available the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Sharp)
• EAP

Key Responsibilities:

• Uphold and promote the mission, philosophy, values, and direction of McAlister Institute.
• Assist in planning and preparing meals across three residential programs using a commercial kitchen.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and assist with food ordering, storage, and safety.
• Step in as kitchen lead during Kitchen Manager's absence.
• Support vocational training programs for clients, focusing on work readiness and educational goals.
• Participate in organizational activities such as performance reviews, training, and staff development.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards, including CPR, First Aid, and food handling protocols.
• Foster a welcoming, clean, and safe kitchen environment for staff and clients.
• Maintain strong, respectful relationships with clients, coworkers, and community members.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 12 units in alcohol/drug counseling toward certification by a recognized organization, or two years of experience in employment preparation/placement (education may be substituted year-for-year with experience).
• Valid California Food Handler's card.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment screenings, including references, education verification, a criminal background check with at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug and TB test.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

McAlister Institute is committed to creating a diverse environment and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, any other non-job-related factors, and other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.

Reasonable Accommodations :

McAlister Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the View email address on click.appcast.io., for more information. Please include your name and position you are applying for.

Work Authorization Requirement:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. McAlister Institute does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Pre-Employment:

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from McAlister Institute employment as we are subject to County of San Diego contractual hiring requirements). A pre-employment physical examination, and post-offer background check is required. Candidates must have at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

General Information & Considerations:

Placement on the pay range is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant years of experience and qualifications. Current McAlister Institute employees may receive priority consideration for positions when they meet essential qualifications.

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies:

We do not solicit staffing or agency contacts for our recruitment needs. Our careers site is only for individuals seeking a job at McAlister. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes. Any such submissions will be considered unsolicited and will be ignored to prioritize our own process. We are sure you do amazing work and can give us data to support your sell. We, however, are a non-profit, and are mindful agents of our resources. We do not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to us, or email us individually. McAlister Institute is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.