About this role
Position Overview
The Kitchen Assistant supports JFS's Nutrition Services Program by assisting with food preparation, meal packaging, kitchen sanitation, and food safety compliance. Working closely with the Registered Dietitian and Kitchen Team, this role helps deliver nutritious meals to older adults and community members throughout San Diego County. The ideal candidate has experience in food service, commercial kitchens, meal production, food handling, and sanitation procedures and is passionate about improving food access and community well-being through nonprofit services.
Schedule: Full-time, on-site role with a regular shift of 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Applicants must be available to work these hours.
Responsibilities
- Follow monthly menu for congregate and home delivered meals program for older adults
- Maintain sanitation, safety, organization and cleanliness of the kitchen
- Follow general food safety guidelines at all times
- Accurately maintain temperature logs
- Prepare and package hot meals, salads, fresh fruits, soups, and sides
- Follow standardized recipes
- Operate industrial kitchen equipment, including but not limited to: conventional and combination ovens, 12-burner range, meal-sealing machine, high-temperature dishwasher
- Train and supervise kitchen volunteers
- Maintain consistent and respectful communication with all team members, volunteers, and supervisor at all times
- Clean and sanitize kitchen work areas, and assist with dishwashing as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must-Have
- Experience in food service industry, customer service, and kitchen preparation
- Language — Bilingual English/Spanish. Ability to read, write and speak basic English
Skills/Abilities We'd Like You to Have
- California Food Handler certification (may obtain on the job)
Physical Requirements
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. As a routine part of work, employees will generally be required to use their hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; and talk and hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The table on the next page provides additional details of certain physical demands of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
WEIGHT OR DISTANCE
Sitting
Seldom (< 20% of the time)
n/a
Bending
Sometimes (40%-70% of the time)
n/a
Stooping
Occasionally (20%-40% of the time)
n/a
Lifting
Sometimes (40%-70% of the time)
50 pounds
Carrying
Sometimes (40%-70% of the time)
50 pounds
Pushing/Pulling
Sometimes (40%-70% of the time)
50 pounds
Reaching
Often (70%-90% of the time)
Arm's length
Standing
Often (70%-90% of the time)
n/a
On Computer
Seldom (< 20% of the time)
n/a
On Phone
Seldom (< 20% of the time)
n/a
Indoors
Frequently (> 90% of the time)
n/a
Outdoors
Seldom (< 20% of the time)
n/a
Driving
Never (0% of the time)
n/a
Position Title: Kitchen Assistant
Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Department: Nutrition
Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt
Work Setting: Fully Onsite
Reports To: Assistant Director of Nutrition
Pay Range: $20/hour
Total Compensation
In addition to standard pay, compensation for this position includes:
- Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
- Generous employer 401(k) contributions
- Employer-covered life insurance
Time Away from Work
Being able to take time away from work is critical in bringing your best self to work. Time off benefits for this position include:
- Paid vacation time and sick leave
- 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
- 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees' mental wellness
About Jewish Family Service of San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life-changing, and often life-saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.
*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.