Kitchen Program Assistant - 3p-11p - Weekends/Holidays

Kitchen Program Assistant

Catholic Charities of Baltimore's Weinberg Housing and Resource Center (WHRC) is a low-barrier emergency shelter providing services to more than 275 adult men and women each night in Baltimore City. Services include shelter, meals, showers, laundry, case management, convalescent care, and life-skills and empowerment programs, with a focused goal of helping residents obtain permanent housing.

The Kitchen Program Assistant is a direct-service position working in the kitchen of a busy emergency shelter. You will help prepare and serve meals, maintain a clean and organized kitchen, monitor food temperatures, receive and organize food donations and supplies, and keep kitchen and storage areas stocked and ready for daily service.

Because this position works within a low-barrier emergency shelter, the job involves more than food preparation. You will regularly interact with adults experiencing homelessness and work alongside Program Assistants, other staff, and volunteers to help maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.

The work is active and priorities can change during a shift. Successful Kitchen Program Assistants are dependable, comfortable working with a diverse population, willing to pitch in where needed, and able to remain patient and professional in a fast-paced environment.

Kitchen & Meal Service

• Prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals that support the health and well-being of WHRC residents while maintaining consistent quality and service standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming kitchen environment that supports client health and a positive dining experience.
• Monitor and accurately record food temperatures to maintain meal quality and consistency.
• Receive, organize, and properly store donated food and kitchen supplies while maintaining required records.
• Manage inventory and stock kitchen and storage areas to ensure supplies are available to meet daily client-service needs.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to coordinate efficient meal preparation and service in a team-oriented, client-focused environment.

Client & Shelter Support

As a Kitchen Program Assistant at WHRC, you will also:

• Provide respectful and compassionate assistance to residents while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Help create a welcoming environment where residents are treated with dignity and respect.
• Communicate professionally with residents, coworkers, volunteers, and visitors.
• Follow WHRC policies, procedures, food-safety practices, and established safety expectations.
• Observe your surroundings and communicate concerns or changing needs to appropriate staff.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation as required.
• Remain calm and professional when unexpected or challenging situations occur.
• Work collaboratively with the WHRC team to respond to changing resident and program needs.
• Perform other duties as needed to support effective shelter operations.

What to Expect

We want candidates to understand the work environment before deciding whether this position is the right fit.

This position may be a good fit for you if you are comfortable:

• Working in the kitchen of a low-barrier emergency shelter serving more than 275 adults each night.
• Having regular, direct interaction with adults experiencing homelessness.
• Working in an environment that can be busy, unpredictable, and occasionally challenging.
• Preparing food, serving meals, cleaning, stocking supplies, receiving donations, and completing other hands-on kitchen responsibilities.
• Standing and moving for much of your shift.
• Working with residents who may be frustrated, upset, or experiencing a difficult situation while remaining respectful and professional.
• Adjusting priorities when resident, kitchen, or shelter needs change.
• Working closely with coworkers and volunteers rather than independently performing only one assigned task.
• Maintaining dependable attendance and punctuality for an overnight weekend and holiday schedule.

Experience & Skills

• One year of related experience is preferred, particularly experience working with homeless or at-risk populations.
• Knowledge of basic personal care, housekeeping, and related support practices.
• Ability to interact respectfully and professionally with individuals with diverse personalities, backgrounds, and needs.
• Ability to remain calm and use good judgment when situations become challenging.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to use, or willingness to learn, basic computer systems, email, online training, and other technology required for the position.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Move throughout the kitchen, storage areas, shelter, and other work areas as required.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, or reposition items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Stand and remain active for extended periods during the shift.
• Perform hands-on activities associated with meal preparation, service, cleaning, stocking, and organizing supplies.
• Work in various areas of the facility and, when required, outdoor weather conditions.

Certification Requirements

• CPR and/or First Aid certification must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained thereafter.
• ServSafe certification must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained thereafter.

Why This Work Matters

At WHRC, a meal is more than food service. The kitchen is an important part of creating a safe, welcoming, and dignified experience for individuals experiencing homelessness.

As a Kitchen Program Assistant, you will help ensure residents receive consistent meals and respectful service while contributing to a larger team focused on safety, stability, dignity, and helping individuals move toward permanent housing.

Our Values

Catholic Charities is committed to serving every person with:

• Dignity
• Compassion
• Humility
• Collaboration
• Excellence
• Integrity

We strive to create a trauma-informed workplace culture that promotes safety, empowerment, healing, and self-care while recognizing the infinite worth and promise of every individual.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Vacation, Sick, and Holiday Pay
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with discretionary employer contribution
• Tuition Advancement Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave

Join Catholic Charities of Baltimore and become part of an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for hope, stability, and transformation in our community.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is an equal opportunity employer.