Program Chef (Education and Workforce TEP)

Intro/Program Description: Goddard Riverside is a well-established Manhattan community-based agency with an annual operating budget of approximately $ 50 million. Goddard Riverside is one of New York City's leading human service organizations meeting the basic needs of children, youth and families, homeless people, and older adults across Manhattan and New York City.


Position Summary: The Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP) provides structured evening and weekend programming for teens ages 13-19, offering recreational, educational, and enrichment activities designed to promote leadership, creativity, and positive youth development. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and collaborative projects, participants build social skills, confidence, and connections to their community. TEP staff work together to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where young people can explore interests, develop new skills, and celebrate their achievements.


The Program Chef leads culinary programming for the Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP) by designing and facilitating hands-on cooking experiences that teach youth practical culinary skills, creativity, and teamwork. The Program Chef prepares weekly meals for program participants while also leading a structured cooking club where teens learn cooking techniques, explore global cuisines, and develop confidence in the kitchen.


This role combines culinary instruction, youth engagement, and program facilitation, while maintaining safe food handling practices and a clean, organized kitchen environment.


Schedule: Sunday-Saturday (Varies), 20 hours per week (seasonal)

Hourly Rate: $20.00/hr

Roles, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

Culinary Programming & Instruction

• Develop and execute 5 weekly menus for program meals, including meals created through cooking club activities.

• Plan and facilitate hands-on cooking club workshops for youth ages 12-19, adjusting lesson plans to meet varying skill levels.

• Teach fundamental culinary skills including:

• Knife skills

• Food preparation techniques

• Cooking methods

• Recipe reading and execution

• Introduce participants to various cuisines, culinary traditions, and cooking styles to expand culinary knowledge.

• Encourage creativity in the kitchen by supporting youth in experimenting with ingredients, flavors, and recipe development.

Youth Engagement & Positive Youth Development

• Create a positive, inclusive cooking club environment where participants can collaborate, share ideas, and celebrate their culinary creations.

• Organize interactive activities such as cooking challenges, themed competitions, and food-related games to promote teamwork and creativity.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to youth participants in menu planning, ingredient selection, and recipe development.

• Serve as a positive role model, demonstrating professionalism, collaboration, and leadership.

• Utilize positive youth development and behavior management strategies to support participants and address behavioral challenges.

• Address behavioral concerns and assist with conflict resolution while maintaining a supportive environment.

• Celebrate youth achievements and encourage participation in program activities and leadership opportunities.

Kitchen Operations & Food Safety

• Teach and enforce safe food handling practices, kitchen hygiene, and proper food storage procedures.

• Demonstrate proper use of kitchen tools, appliances, and cooking equipment.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.

• Monitor and maintain inventory of cooking supplies, ingredients, and kitchen materials.

• Ensure compliance with all organizational health and safety protocols.

Program Collaboration & Events

• Collaborate with program staff to coordinate culinary programming with broader program activities.

• Support the planning and coordination of program showcases, food fairs, or pop-up culinary events highlighting youth work.

• Assist with organizing exhibitions or displays showcasing participants' culinary creations.

• Support the coordination of the Family & Friends showcase event, highlighting youth achievements and program activities.

Program Evaluation & Professional Development

• Evaluate the effectiveness of culinary workshops and activities by collecting feedback from participants.

• Make adjustments to programming and menus based on youth engagement and learning outcomes.

• Participate in pre-program training, staff meetings, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

• Collaborate with program staff during daily check-ins and program planning discussions.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of the Summer Teen Expansion Program (TEP).

• Remain available to work evenings and weekends as required by program operations.

Program Operations & Facilities

• Assist in ensuring that program spaces remain safe, clean, and organized.

• Monitor recreational spaces and ensure proper care of equipment and materials.

• Support daily program setup and closing procedures.

• Ensure program activities adhere to organizational health and safety protocols.

Communication & Program Reporting

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with participants, families, staff, and community partners.

• Support communication channels between youth participants, families, and program staff.

• Collect feedback from participants and staff to help identify opportunities for program improvement.

• Assist with preparing reports related to program activities, attendance, and participant engagement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations and participant success.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications

• Experience in culinary arts, food service, or culinary instruction.

• Experience working with youth or facilitating educational workshops preferred.

• Strong knowledge of food safety and kitchen sanitation practices.

• Ability to teach and demonstrate cooking techniques in an engaging and supportive manner.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for teens.

• Culinary training, certification, or relevant professional kitchen experience preferred.

• Food Handler's Certification preferred or willingness to obtain.

• Experience working in youth programs, community organizations, or educational settings preferred..

• First Aid and CPR certification preferred (or willingness to obtain).

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities

• Ability to communicate information clearly, accurately, and professionally.

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and youth participants.

• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse youth populations.

• Enthusiasm for mentoring and supporting teen development.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Highly motivated and committed to supporting youth development and the mission of the organization

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time while preparing food and facilitating workshops.

• Ability to lift and carry kitchen supplies, ingredients, and equipment up to 30 pounds.

• Ability to use kitchen tools safely, including knives, ovens, stovetops, and other cooking equipment.

• Ability to bend, reach, and move throughout kitchen and program spaces during meal preparation and program activities.

• Ability to actively participate in youth programming and supervise participants during cooking activities.

• Work is performed primarily in a community center kitchen and program facility.

• Position requires evening and weekend hours consistent with program operations.

• Work environment may include moderate heat, kitchen noise, and food preparation activities.

• Frequent interaction with youth participants, program staff, and volunteers.

• Staff must maintain strict food safety, sanitation, and hygiene standards.

• Position may involve supervising youth in both kitchen and classroom-style workshop environments.

• Ability to maintain active supervision of youth participants across multiple program areas.

• Ability to quickly respond to emergencies or safety concerns involving participants.

• Work is primarily conducted in a community center or program facility environment.

• Staff may supervise youth in classrooms, recreational spaces, kitchens, outdoor areas, and common areas.

• Position requires evening and weekend work, consistent with program hours.

• Staff may occasionally be exposed to moderate noise levels typical of youth programming environments.

• Requires frequent interaction with youth participants, families, and program staff.

• Staff must maintain professional conduct and positive engagement with youth at all times.

• Work may involve occasional travel within the facility, nearby program areas, and off-site to support activities and supervision.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.