Culinary Assistant Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

MISSION
Our mission is to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities.
VISION
At Martha’s Table, we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to stay and thrive.

ABOUT MARTHA’S TABLE

At Martha’s Table, we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to thrive. For over forty years, we have worked to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities by increasing access to quality education, health and wellness, and family resources.

Together, we are “One MT.” This means we work across all three of our locations to support our shared mission. In all that we do, we exemplify our four core values of respect, compassion, teamwork, and accountability. These values -- and our commitment to “white glove service” -- guide how we engage with the communities we stand alongside and how we work together as a team. When you come to Martha’s Table -- as a guest or as a team member -- you are valued and you deserve our very best.

In order to be the best version of MT, we are deeply committed to equitable practices. We apply the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in providing programming and services; in creating our Board; in partnerships and procurement; and in hiring, training, and advancing our team members.

We invest in our team members’ personal and professional goals through our “STEP” program, which includes tuition for continuing education, certifications, and professional development; funding to unlock financially held transcripts; and flexible leave options.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The primary role of the Culinary Services Assistant is to assist in execution of Martha’s Table’s Culinary Services programming, including McKenna’s Wagon–a daily food distribution program delivering hot meals daily to DC neighbors experiencing housing or food insecurity. Duties include engaging with volunteers, supporting kitchen operations including food preparation tasks, receiving and delivering meals to Martha’s Table program participants, and maintaining safety and sanitation standards of the kitchen. The anticipated schedule is from 1pm-7pm Monday-Friday with the flexibility to support Culinary Services programs which operates 365 days a
year, including weekends, holidays and varying shifts. Weekly hours will average 30 hours, with the possibility of up to 40 hours per week based on department needs.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure an engaging volunteer experience by orientating, directing, and supporting volunteers at Martha’s Table community-facing programs, and other volunteer-led initiatives.
• Provides regular support of Culinary Services community programs, including serving as daily team member presence on McKenna’s Wagon.
• Delivers meals and beverages to program participants in the community, including daily distribution of McKenna’s Wagon food. In additon, disposing of unused food.
• Trains new volunteer drivers for McKenna’s Wagon and serves as the back-up driver whenever a volunteer driver has not been secured.

• Serves as on-site point of contact for external partners and receives meals from outside vendors and ensures the type and quantity of food delivered is accurate and complies with safety and sanitation guidelines.

• Maintains safe operating & cleaning procedures of commercial food service equipment: prepares food warmers, and documents oven, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures to make sure they are in good operating order.

• Provides guest sign-in support for other Maycroft programs (Martha’s Table Market) as needed.Assists in dishwashing and ensures proper storage of clean dishes and cookware. Ensures that cleaning supplies are replenished across all kitchen units.

• Ensures food prep areas are cleaned, sanitized, and maintained in accordance with Department of Health, ServSafe, and Martha’s Table food regulations and guidelines.

• Performs regular walk-throughs of Culinary Services vehicles and spaces and coordinates with Facilities team to ensure maintenance needs are readily addressed

• Maintains cleanliness of storage areas, food distribution areas, and cargo vans (as applicable) daily.

• Attends regular trainings to build culinary services and food-safety skills.

• Under guidance, conducts food prep tasks as needed.

• Demonstrated commitment to MT’s mission and core values of compassion, respect, teamwork, and accountability.

• Embodies and serves as a model for “The Martha's Table Experience” and our organization’s core values.

• Attends at least one MT anchor event annually.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to interact courteously and professionally with program participants, volunteers, and team members—providing assistance in a friendly and respectful manner similar to customer service roles in grocery, restaurant, or retail environments.
• Digital literacy skills (email and printing) with a proficiency in Google applications (google sheets, google docs, google slides).
• Ability to support kitchen operations through basic record and data-keeping, inventory tracking, and documentation of food safety and cleaning logs—ensuring compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Basic problem-solving skills when equipment, supply, volunteer, or logistical issues arise.
• Ability to safely operate vehicles used to transport meals and supplies for Culinary Services Programs, following all traffic laws and organizational safety protocols to ensure timely and secure delivery of food to program sites.
• Experience providing excellent and compassionate customer service.
• Experience and demonstrated commitment to community development through food.
• Proficient in verbal/written Spanish, preferred but not required.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess or be willing to undergo training and certification for a valid Food Manager’s License within 6 months of the hire date.
• Must possess a driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must have at least 2-3 years of work-related experience in food service or grocery.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Moderate to extensive physical activity. Requiring general movement and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Works under time constraints.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• This role is primarily in a kitchen setting.
  

COVID-19

Martha's Table requires all team members to have:

• 2 doses of either Pfizer or Moderna administered before April 18, 2023;

• 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen administered before May 22, 2023;

• 2 doses of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, Adjuvinated; or

• 1 updated dose of either Pfizer or Moderna administered after April 18, 2023

Martha's Table will consider waiving the vaccination requirement for:

• Candidates who object in good faith and in writing, pursuant to procedures established by the City Administrator or his/her designee, that the employee's vaccination would violate their sincerely held religious beliefs; and

• Candidates who have obtained and submitted written certification from a physician or other licensed health professional who may order an immunization, that being vaccinated for COVID-19 is medically inadvisable because of the employee's medical condition.

Marha's Table is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants who are unable to be vaccinated for religious or medical reasons should contact Human Resources (hr@marthastable.org) as soon as possible to engage in the interactive process and explore what, if any, reasonable accommodations Martha's Table is able to offer.

This position requires the completion of a satisfactory background check. Martha's table is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Martha's table is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for the employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion or belief, age, sex (including pregnancy), national, social or ethnic origin, disability status, HIV status, family medical history or genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, family or parental status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Martha's table will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 202-328-6608 or via e-mail at hr@marthastaple.org.