Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant

The Kitchen Assistant is responsible for assisting the Elder Nutrition Program Cook with the Title VI Elder Nutrition Program. The Kitchen Assistant will assist with meal delivery preparation, meal delivery to homebound elders in the community, meal preparation for congregate meals served at the Elder Center, clean-up of the kitchen and dining areas, prepping food, and filling-in to cook meals in the absence of the Elder Nutrition Program Cook. Training for each duty and responsibility will be provided by the Elder Nutrition Program Cook. The Kitchen Assistant will also provide assistance to the Activities Coordinator in planning various community-based events such as, but not limited to, Health Fairs, Powwows activities, Buffalo Harvest, Drum and Dance group, etc., which involves ordering nutritional food/meals for these events that occur throughout the year. This role will also contribute to the Community's food sovereignty goals in collaboration with the Food Sovereignty Team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the Congregate and Home-Delivered Meal preparation weekly. Duties may include but are not limited to prepping food, helping with the delivery of meals to homebound Elders, and reporting any concerns for the health, safety or wellbeing of Tribal Elders, and any individual eligible under the Title VI Program as directed by the Elder Nutrition Program Cook.
• Assist with cleaning and sanitizing of the Meal Site kitchens, dining areas and storage cabinets. Duties include, but not limited to, setting up tables and chairs; washing dishes by hand; loading and unloading dishwasher; emptying trash bins in cooking and eating areas; sweeping, mopping and vacuuming cooking and eating areas; sanitizing tables, chairs, kitchen cabinets and countertops.
• In the absence of the Elder Nutrition Program Cook, the Kitchen Assistant will cook and prepare meals in accordance with the menus and recipes as trained by the supervisor. This includes home-delivered meal preparation.
• Assist with menu preparation, inventory, ordering program supplies and materials, loading, unloading, and storing large quantities of food and supplies on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
• Assist with data collection and routing data appropriately. Collect duplicate and unduplicated service data for Title VI Part A ensuring all meal site participants have signed in. Collect and route appropriately sign-in sheets, delivery sheets, and NAPIS forms to Elder Nutrition Program Cook.
• Assist with promptly submitting all receipts, invoices, and cash boxes to appropriate staff, as directed by the Elder Nutrition Program Cook and the Family Health Services Director.
• Ensure Tribal, Department, and Program policies, procedures, practices, and standards are adhered to including those needed for the proper function of the elder meal sites and elder programs.
• The incumbent will be called upon to accomplish other tasks within their scope of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Must possess a strong understanding and desire to build rapport with our Elders in an environment that upholds their privacy, dignity, choice, independence, and individuality.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with staff, elders, and community members
• Must be attuned to the values and practices of Native American communities.
• Must be proficient in computers and be able to use Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
• Must be able and willing to travel to deliver meals/food to elders on a regular basis
• Must be able to perform tasks physically and mentally, as verified by a health screening/physical exam and must be free of communicable disease
• Must be able to work independently and effectively with minimal supervision
• Must possess strong communication and organizational skills
• Must pass background check and pre-employment screenings
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and proof of auto insurance
• Must complete Food Handlers and Serve Safe certifications within 30 days
• Must be CPR certified or must receive within 90 days

Preferred:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in food service or food preparation for large groups of people

Physical Demands:

• Must have the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to stand long periods of time with occasional amounts of walking

Required Training:

• Effectively Handling Harassment training
• HIPAA training
• Any position-related training as determined by supervisor

Working Environment:

• Work is performed primarily indoors but may include occasional outdoor activities

Disclaimer and Conditions of Employment:

All Prairie Island Indian Community employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship

The Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance applies to this and all employment opportunities for the Community.

*See physical demand analysis for more detailed information.