Are you a fit for the Ranch?
Down Home Ranch is a community of people who enjoy the outdoors in a rural setting, with access to the eccentric vibe of Austin, Texas. There is an emphasis on learning, being creative and developing oneself personally and professionally - with room to make mistakes. Creating meaningful connections, along with a desire to build relationships is the foundation of the Ranch's culture.
On our 410-acre Ranch, employees have access to miles of hiking trails, a pool, horticulture, fishing ponds, a woodshop, a makerspace, farm animals, camp sites and more. The community thrives among people who bring their whole self to the mission, are open to growth and enjoy sharing their hobbies and interests with others.
To develop into a leader at the Ranch, the foundation can be taught through training, workshops and on-the-job experience. However, attitude is everything - you must provide excellent customer service, be humble in your attempts and have a passion to support people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) to have an interesting life, full of experiences.
Our Mission
Empowering the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through social, educational, residential and vocational opportunities.
Vision for the Future
We will provide a high quality of life for our residents, offering lifelong opportunities and supporting individual choice. Our programs will make it possible for everyone to benefit from our unique environment.
Job Duties
- Assist in the preparation and cooking of meals in a fast-paced kitchen environment
- Follow recipes and portion sizes to ensure consistent quality and presentation
- Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and work areas
- Maintain inventory of food and supplies, and assist with ordering as needed
- Collaborate with other team members to ensure smooth operation of the kitchen
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to work well in a team environment and follow instructions
- Experience in special education or social work is beneficial
Please note that this position will involve working with individuals who have special needs. The ideal candidate will have a passion for helping others and be patient, compassionate, and understanding.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, we encourage you to apply.
Please submit your resume highlighting relevant experience. Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Job description
The Kitchen Instructor is a non-exempt hourly full-time food service and training position located in Individualized Skills and Services/Day Program, reporting to the Day Program Supervisor. The Kitchen Instructor works with their Supervisor to coordinate all aspects of prepares food for individuals served through programing, and other areas as identified by the needs of the Ranch. The Kitchen Instructor supports the mission of Down Home Ranch by ensuring those who are served, have access to healthy food options; in a manner that aligns with best practice, appropriate law and guidance. The Kitchen Instructor also is responsible for coaching individuals who work in the kitchen to achieve their goals. The Kitchen Instructor will join with other staff in a high-level commitment to provide an excellent quality of life for the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities served through Ranch programing.
Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm; schedule and hours will be adjusted according to the needs of Down Home Ranch. Eligible for full time benefits.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Implements the goals of Individualized Skills and Services/Day Program
- Plans and coordinates resource and supply allocations for kitchen and special events.
- Works with supervisor to order food and supplies needed for the Ranch.
- Have and rotate food needed for the Ranches Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan.
- Ensures inventory is kept up to date at all time.
- Follows all standards of safe food handling as outlined by regulations regarding kitchen operations.
- Ensures that kitchen, storage areas and dining area is clean and ready for service.
- Follows all standards/practices of safe food handling as outlined by regulations regarding kitchen operations.
- Utilize checklist and submit required documentation as requested by supervisor.
- Adapts at working with and around mechanical, electrical equipment.
- Maintains consistent focus upon the rights, well-being, and continual development of individuals being served
- Coordinates with necessary Down Home Ranch staff across programs to implement individualized goals and objectives for each individual being served.
- Assists with the development and implementation of individualized goals, outcomes and objectives for the individuals being served
- Works well across multiple departments.
- Ability to work with, coach, mentor and supervise people with disabilities
- Attends staff meetings, cross functional committees, workshops and trainings
- Performs other duties and responsibilities, as assigned
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum age of 21; excellent driving record and able to pass extensive background investigation
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Works or coordinates food services for special events and weekends as needed.
- Texas Food Handler Certification before starting independent work
- Ability to read/write English, basic math skills, ability to read recipes and follow preparation instructions
- Experience and comfortable with business software and culinary kitchen equipment
- Provides excellent customer service
- Comfortable working closely with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other vulnerable populations
- Completes work with a high degree of autonomy
- Outstanding interpersonal relationship building
- Detail-oriented, works well under pressure, takes initiative to solve problems, meets deadlines
- Reads and complies with all company policies and procedures, such as in the Down Home Ranch Employee Handbook.
- Maintain confidentiality under requirements of the HIPAA statutes
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to clearly communicate to employees at all levels of the organization
- Team player with strong skills in leadership, training, and delegation of duties
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Capable of stooping, kneeling, sitting and bending
- Able to stand for long periods
DHR has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and DHR reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as DHR may deem appropriate.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $12.00 - $14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
