Dining Services Associate

Position Overview:

The Dining Services Associate will assist the Lead Dining Services Associate in preparing and serving the main meal at the Day Center.

Essential Job Functions:

Food Handling

• Demonstrate appropriate handling of food and operating supplies
• Check and record inventory on a timely basis
• Assist in checking in and putting away food and supplies upon delivery
• Understand and follow food portion controls
• Understand and follow safe food handling procedures
• Avoid wasting food or supplies.

Maintenance & Sanitation

• Maintain kitchen equipment and cleanliness in assigned areas
• Keep all kitchen equipment clean and in good working order
• Clean and sanitizes food preparation area and sink
• Wash dishes and take out trash in assigned areas
• Use good sanitation practices as described in PACE policy and procedures
• Follow daily/weekly/monthly cleaning lists appropriately
• Use all kitchen equipment appropriately

Menus and Labels

• Assist Dietitian in preparing menus when consulted
• Print daily menus and prepare them for the following day

Food Preparation

• Understand and adhere to participants' nutritional needs as specified on their diet cards
• Remain alert to participants' changing dietary and health concerns
• Consult daily menus to determine which foods will be served for that day
• Prepare food according to menus, recipes and diet cards

Organization and Food Preparation

• Delegate food preparation duties to temporary assistant (s) when needed
• Assist in obtaining meal cards from participants in a timely manner
• Ensure that food prepared in the PACE kitchen is ready at the proper time
• Is knowledgeable about proper hand hygiene in regard to food services settings

Policies & Procedures

• Follow PACE Policy and Procedures and standards for preparing, handling, serving, and storing food
• Check and record temperatures of food to ensure that it is served at correct temperatures
• Notify Lead Culinary Associate if food temperatures are out of range

Meal Service

• Serve residents in the dining area
• Serve participants in the dining area
• Monitor snack area supplies and refills it as necessary
• Monitor PACE participants to verify that they are eating the foods specified on their diet cards

Performs Temporary Supervisory Functions

• Perform the responsibilities of the Lead Culinary Associate when they are absent
• Is able to perform all jobs in the department
• Provide leadership by example

Basic Understanding of Technology (These duties are performed alongside the Lead Culinary Associate)

• Create monthly menus using Microsoft Word
• Create and update participants meals cards using Microsoft Excel
• Chart participants meal consumption daily to reflect attendance using a PACE online platform
• Communicate via e-mail to contracted meal service providers, contracted operating supply providers, and general communication with other staff

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Prefer one year or more institutional cooking experience.
• Additional education in cooking or cooking related field is helpful

Physical Requirements:

Medium Work – Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly.