Since 1971, A New Leaf has been dedicated to its mission of “Helping Families…Changing Lives,” making a positive impact on the lives of over 24,000 people annually in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. A New Leaf is committed to empowering individuals and enriching communities through transformative services. Guided by our core values—Compassion, Passion for Results, Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, and Conscientiousness—we strive to create meaningful, lasting impacts in the communities we serve.
Cook
A New Leaf is committed to empowering individuals and enriching communities through transformative services. Our core values—Compassion, Passion for Results, Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, and Conscientiousness—guide us in creating meaningful, lasting impacts in the communities we serve.
Salary: $20 - $22 hr
Schedule: Mon - Fri 5am - 1 pm
Job Summary:
The Cook prepares and serves nutritious meals for residents of the men's shelter while maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen. This position is responsible for food preparation, inventory management, menu planning, and compliance with all applicable food safety and Department of Health regulations. Working collaboratively with shelter staff, the Cook provides quality meal services that support the health and well-being of residents in a safe, respectful, and trauma-informed environment.
Responsibilities:
1. Prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks for shelter residents in accordance with established menus, nutritional guidelines, and food safety standards.
2. Assist with menu planning, weekly food ordering, inventory management, and maintaining adequate food and kitchen supplies within the program budget.
3. Receive, store, rotate, and organize food products using First In, First Out (FIFO) practices to ensure freshness, food safety, and minimize waste.
4. Prepare and safely operate commercial kitchen equipment, including grills, ovens, fryers, steam tables, and other food preparation equipment.
5. Prepare food using proper food preparation techniques, portion control, cooking methods, and safe food handling practices to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with food safety standards.
6. Prepare meals that accommodate special dietary needs, food allergies, and physician-ordered diets as appropriate.
7. Maintain accurate food inventories, temperature logs, production records, food orders, and other required documentation in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
8. Monitor and document refrigerator, freezer, and food holding temperatures daily to ensure compliance with Department of Health and food safety standards.
9. Maintain the cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of the kitchen, including refrigerators, freezers, food storage areas, ovens, grills, steamers, hoods, filters, floors, dishes, cookware, utensils, and all kitchen equipment in accordance with Department of Health and agency standards.
10. Safely operate and maintain commercial kitchen equipment, including slicers, dishwashers, mixers, and other food preparation equipment.
11. Follow all food safety, sanitation, chemical handling, and workplace safety procedures, including the proper use of cleaning products, chemicals, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
12. Receive food deliveries, coordinate the pickup of donated food and supplies, transport food and supplies between agency locations as needed, and load or unload deliveries.
13. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment that complies with all applicable local, state, federal, licensing, and Department of Health regulations.
14. Report equipment malfunctions, food shortages, safety concerns, or maintenance needs promptly to the designated supervisor.
15. Assist with maintaining the overall appearance, cleanliness, organization, and maintenance of kitchen facilities, equipment, and other assigned areas.
16. Maintain adequate inventory of food, cleaning, and kitchen supplies and promptly communicate anticipated shortages, supply needs, or purchasing requests to the designated supervisor.
17. Participate in staff meetings, required trainings, and professional development activities.
18. Build and maintain professional, respectful working relationships with residents, employees, volunteers, vendors, community partners, and the public while representing A New Leaf in a positive and professional manner.
19. Maintain the confidentiality of resident, employee, and agency information in accordance with agency policies and applicable laws.
20. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support shelter operations.
Qualifications:Education:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Coursework or vocational training in culinary arts, food service management, nutrition, or a related field preferred.
Experience:
- Two (2) years of experience preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, institutional, healthcare, correctional, school, shelter, restaurant, or similar high-volume food service environment required.
- Experience maintaining food safety, sanitation, and Department of Health standards required.
- Experience with inventory management, food ordering, and maintaining kitchen records preferred.
- Experience working in a nonprofit, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health, or other human services environment preferred.
Licenses/Certifications
- Current Arizona Food Handler Card required.
- Current ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification required.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
- Work is performed on-site within a 24-hour emergency shelter and commercial kitchen environment. Remote or hybrid work is not available.
- Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, twisting, and movement throughout the shelter, kitchen, storage areas, and surrounding property.
- Requires the ability to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment and standard office equipment as needed.
- Requires frequent handling of food products, kitchen equipment, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation supplies while following all food safety, OSHA, and agency safety standards.
- Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull supplies, food products, donations, and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Work is performed in varying environmental conditions, including exposure to heat, steam, humidity, refrigeration and freezer temperatures, cleaning products, and moderate kitchen noise.
- Regular interaction with residents experiencing homelessness and individuals with behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma histories, or other complex needs is required. Employees must maintain professionalism, appropriate boundaries, and trauma-informed interactions.
- May be exposed to communicable illnesses, biohazards, and unpredictable client behaviors consistent with a congregate shelter environment. Employees are expected to follow all infection prevention, personal protective equipment (PPE), and workplace safety protocols.
- Must be able to respond appropriately to emergencies, crisis situations, safety incidents, and other unexpected operational needs.
- Occasional local travel may be required for agency meetings, trainings, food purchasing, donation pickup, or other business-related activities.
- Work schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays based on operational needs.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with applicable law.
Compliance Requirements:
- Must Be At Least 21 Years of Age
- Class One Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Central Registry Background Check
- Drug Screening
- Food Handler & ServSafe Food Certification
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- Valid Unrestricted Driver’s License
- Current Auto Liability Insurance
- 39 Month Motor Vehicle Record
- Adhere to all organizational policies, including the Code of Conduct, professional standards, and relevant regulations.
Mandated Reporter Requirements:
- As a mandated reporter under Arizona statute A.R.S. § 13-3620, you are required to immediately report any suspected abuse or neglect of a minor to your Supervisor, Manager, Director, Clinical Director, or Chief Officer, who will assist in making the appropriate report to authorities.
- Reports should be directed to either the local law enforcement agency or child protective services (1-888-SOS-CHILD). Abuse suspected of involving a family member or legal guardian should be reported to child protective services, while other cases should be reported to law enforcement.
Responsible to: Program Manager
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
We appreciate your interest in our organization. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
A New Leaf is an at-will employer. Any offer of employment with A New Leaf is contingent upon a successful consumer report, which includes verification of employment, education, criminal background search, and driving records.
A New Leaf is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and participates in the E-Verify program.
BENEFITS PACKAGE:
All of our employees enjoy the following benefits: direct deposit, competitive pay, accrued sick time, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), an annual team member appreciation event, and an informal yet professional team environment.
For full-time employees, we also provide the following as part of the total compensation plan: Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage, Accrued Sick and Vacation Time, Paid Holidays, Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, 401(K), Tuition Reimbursement, and a Wellness Program. This program has received a Silver Level of excellence in worksite wellness and includes Annual Biometrics, Gym Reimbursements, Wellness Initiatives, Workers Compensation improvements, and much more.
