Food Ministry Associate Job Description
Position: Food Ministry Associate
Department: Operations
Reports to: Dining Services Manager
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time, Monday through Friday with rotating weekends
Summary
The Food Ministry Associate supports the daily kitchen operations of the shelter kitchen while engaging in relational ministry with guests, volunteers, and program participants. Working under the direction of the Dining Services Manager, the associate helps ensure that meals are prepared and served with excellence, health and sanitation guidelines are met and followed, and hospitality is being demonstrated. This role plays a key part in fostering a culture of excellence, dignity, and transformation. This role combines hands-on food service responsibility with intentional involvement in the job skills training program, helping guests develop practical work habits, kitchen skills, and personal responsibility.
At New Life Center, our work is grounded in our Christian mission and values. Each role contributes to the ministry and operations of the organization. We seek staff who are committed followers of Jesus Christ, aligned with our Statement of Faith, and who model our REAL values — Respectful, Encouraging, Accountable, and Loving — in their work and interactions.
Essential Functions
Essential Function 1: Food Preparation and Service Excellence
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Assist in meal preparation, cooking, service, with excellence and consistency.
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Follow recipes, portion control, and food safety guidelines.
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Help ensure meals are served in a timely, organized, and respectful manner.
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Maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, and quality of food service areas.
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Help meet special dietary requirements when appropriate.
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Assist with inspection of all donated food to determine quality of food as required.
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Minimize waste while maintaining high standards of excellence.
Essential Function 2: Kitchen Operational Support
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Assist with kitchen setup, closing duties, and daily workflow.
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Wash dishes, clean equipment and maintain a sanitary work environment.
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Help organize food storage areas, including refrigerators, freezers, and dry storage.
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Contribute to a smooth and efficient operation with a commitment to excellence.
Essential Function 3: Safety and Compliance
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Follow all health department guidelines and regulations regarding proper food handling, sanitation, and safety.
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Properly store food including labeling and proper rotation of all food (FIFO).
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Maintain required temperature logs for refrigerators, freezers, and meals.
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Use proper PPE appropriately and maintain a safe work environment.
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Ensure safe use of all kitchen equipment and report any safety concerns or equipment issues promptly.
Essential Function 4: Volunteer and Guest Support
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Assist in welcoming, guiding, and supporting kitchen volunteers.
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Help provide direction and ensure volunteers/guests understand tasks and expectations.
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Model a spirit of hospitality.
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Help create a welcoming and respectful dining environment.
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Engage guests with dignity, kindness, and Christ-like compassion.
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Recognize that excellence in service communicates value and care to each individual.
Essential Function 5: Job Skills Training Program
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Actively support and participate in the Genesis job skills training program within the kitchen.
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Help train Genesis guests in basic culinary skills, food safety practices, and kitchen procedures.
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Model and reinforce essential workplace behaviors such as punctuality, accountability, teamwork, and consistency.
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Assist in creating a structured, goal-oriented environment that promotes excellence in both skill and character development.
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Assist with evaluation of Genesis guest progress by working with the Job Training Program Liaison.
ADA & Reasonable Accommodation
New Life Center complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Qualified individuals are considered for positions based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law unless doing so would cause undue hardship or pose a direct threat to safety.
Position Reports to James Redding, Dining Services Manager
This job description identifies the major responsibilities of this job. It does not include all aspects of the position such as the potential additional duties assigned by the Operations Director, the requirement for flexibility in helping others, or the highly valued team-oriented approach used for the overall benefit and success of New Life Center.
Personal:
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Personal, evident, and growing relationship with Christ.
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Compassionate heart for those in need.
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Willingness to serve others.
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Desire to see the lost be transformed through the love of Christ.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
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Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
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Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with the organization’s insurance carrier requirements, and provide proof of insurance, as required for the performance of job duties.
Skills:
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Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
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Ability to cook for large numbers.
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Ability to motivate and coach individuals.
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Ability to organize and prioritize duties.
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Demonstrated effective time management and organizational skills.
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Ability to use independent judgment to accomplish goals.
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Utilize creativity to create list of nutritious meals.
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Previous experience in food service or kitchen environment.
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Willingness to learn and ability to take constructive criticism.
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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Strong work ethic and a commitment to completing tasks with excellence.
Work Environment:
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Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
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Position requires a lot of repetitive motion: lifting, pushing, and carrying.
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Ability to lift 30 lbs.
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Ability to work in areas with extreme heat conditions and frequent interaction with gas burners, heated equipment, grease, sharp machinery, and other at-risk conditions.
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This position works in a recovery-adjacent environment and requires adherence to professional boundaries, respectful workplace conduct, and organizational policies.
Religious Bona Fide Occupational Qualification BFOQ
New Life Center is a faith-based Christian ministry. Consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alignment with New Life Center’s Statement of Faith and values may be considered a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for this position. Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the organization’s Christian mission, beliefs, and code of conduct.
