Cook

Part-Time Cook

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community! The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it's a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the US, we serve people with food to shelter opportunities and almost everything in between. We are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that make up a huge western region team. In other words, we're committed to being big and small at the same time. That makes us a seriously great place to work. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward. We welcome you on finding your place to offer opportunities for people in need!

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

The Salvation Army's mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

This position is primarily responsible for preparing and serving the evening meal for individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income residents, Monday through Friday at 3:30 PM. The Cook will creatively plan and prepare meals that make the most effective use of donated foods, ensuring food safety, kitchen sanitation, and consistent quality. This role also includes oversight of kitchen operations, food inventory, and maintaining compliance with public health standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain current certification on Food Safety and Kitchen Operations. Take refresher courses to ensure current standards are met and implemented.
• Plan, prepare, and serve the evening meal using available food resources and donations
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment in accordance with public health standards. Including the procurement and maintenance of equipment and supplies to ensure proper food handling and storage.
• Monitor and log food temperatures, and maintain equipment such as walk-in refrigerators and freezers
• Ensure proper sanitation procedures are followed (wash, rinse, sanitize) for all kitchen equipment and utensils
• Maintain an organized pantry and food storage area, rotating stock to minimize waste
• Collaborate with staff and community partners to source food donations and build sustainable food supply relationships
• Implement creative culinary initiatives that reflect cultural sensitivity and the nutritional needs of the population served
• Working with staff and volunteers, maintaining the cleanliness of the dining area before and after meals
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to ongoing improvements in meal service operations
• Train, support, and supervise volunteers according to Food Safety guidelines in the kitchen when applicable
• Serve food to Salvation Army guests
• Maintain a peaceful and respectful environment, in coordination with other TSA staff, that aligns with The Salvation Army Code of Ethics.

Education and Work Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a professional or large-scale kitchen environment
• Demonstrated ability to plan and prepare meals using donated and commodity foods
• Current Washington State Food Handler's Card (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Experience in food safety practices and kitchen sanitation standards preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Strong understanding of safe food handling and storage procedures (HACCP knowledge a plus)
• Ability to prepare balanced, nutritious meals for groups ranging from 10 to 60 individuals
• Creative approach to meal planning and adapting to changing food donations
• Effective communication skills with diverse populations, including staff, volunteers, and clients
• Able to maintain a calm and respectful demeanor when dealing with guest concerns.
• Basic computer literacy (for meal planning, inventory tracking, and timekeeping)
• Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism at all times
• Flexibility to work in a dynamic, community-based environment

Software-Related Skills:

• Ability to learn and utilize basic software tools for timekeeping and food inventory (e.g., Microsoft Excel, meal planning apps, etc.) and Salvation Army online platforms

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as food boxes and reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer
• Ability to understand written information

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a kitchen environment with exposure to typical workplace hazards such as hot equipment and sharps. Will also work directly with typical Salvation Army clientele such as unhoused individuals.

Work Schedule / Location:

Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM, in-person at the Wenatchee Salvation Army Corps.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization's need or when circumstances change.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

A generous benefits package is included with full-time positions: paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and medical, vision, and dental insurances.