Lead Cook

Lead Cook

The Lead Cook supports daily food service operations within the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery by preparing, cooking, catering, and serving meals in accordance with established menus, dietary guidelines, food safety standards, and recovery-oriented programming requirements. Working under the direction of the Head Chef / Kitchen Manager, the Lead Cook serves as a working lead by providing day-to-day guidance to kitchen staff, assisting with workflow coordination and training, and helping ensure food quality, safety, and timely meal service.

The Lead Cook also supports public and private catering events, including food preparation, service, setup, and breakdown, and maintains food safety and sanitation standards. This position may have the opportunity to supervise other kitchen staff, as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Kitchen Operations

• Prepare and cook meals in accordance with approved menus, recipes, portion control standards, and dietary requirements.
• Ensure food quality, presentation, temperature, safety, and sanitation standards are met.
• Maintain clean and sanitary workstations, equipment, storage, and service areas.
• Assist with receiving, labeling, rotating, and storing food and supplies using FIFO practices.
• Assist with inventory and communicate supply or equipment needs to the Head Chef / Kitchen Manager.
• Follow all facility safety procedures and applicable food safety regulations.

Lead Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day guidance and work direction to kitchen staff, as assigned.
• Assist with coordinating kitchen workflow and ensuring timely food production and service.
• Assist with training and onboarding kitchen staff and trainees.
• Model appropriate workplace behavior, culinary practices, food safety, and sanitation standards.
• Support employees in developing culinary and workplace skills.
• Help monitor food quality, production standards, and kitchen efficiency.
• Report any staffing, workflow, quality, safety, or operational concerns to the Head Chef / Kitchen Manager.
• Promote a positive, respectful, and recovery-oriented kitchen environment.

Catering and Special Events

• Assist with food preparation, packaging, and service for public and private catering events.
• Assist with event setup, service, and breakdown, including loading and unloading food and equipment.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and temperature standards during catering activities.
• Work collaboratively with kitchen staff to meet production timelines.
• Represent the organization professionally at public-facing events.
• Work evenings, weekends, or holidays as required for catering operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position may have the opportunity to supervise other kitchen staff, as assigned. Responsibilities may include assigning work, providing training and coaching, monitoring workflow and work quality, and communicating employee or operational concerns to the Head Chef / Kitchen Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Washington State Food Handler's Certificate required or the ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
• Minimum of two years of cooking or food service experience is preferred.
• Ability to follow menus, recipes, production schedules, and food safety procedures.
• Strong communication, teamwork, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to provide direction and support to other kitchen staff.
• Dependability, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, recovery-oriented environment.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Columbia Ability Alliance Mission, Vision, and Values.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Culinary training, certificate, or associate degree.
• Previous lead or supervisory experience.
• Experience in healthcare, residential, institutional, or recovery-oriented food service.
• Experience supporting workforce development or training environments.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 pounds, bend, reach, stoop, and work in a high-temperature kitchen environment. May require weekend, evening, or holiday work based on operational and catering needs. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a commercial kitchen environment, with exposure to heat, food-preparation equipment, moderate-to-loud noise, and cleaning products. Personal protective equipment may be required.

Full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to enroll in medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits after 60 days of employment. Full-time employees also accrue vacation and sick leave in accordance with applicable policies. Participation in our 401(k) retirement plan is available after one year of continuous service and at least 1,000 hours worked during the applicable eligibility period.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodation

Columbia Ability Alliance is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Columbia Ability Alliance is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.