Culinary Training Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

At Episcopal Community Services (ECS), employees work with participants who may be experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use challenges, and other difficult life circumstances. While this work is meaningful and mission-driven, it can at times be stressful, demanding, or unpredictable. Employees are expected to exercise sound judgment, remain aware of their surroundings, follow established safety, communication, and de-escalation procedures, participate in all required trainings, and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions, in accordance with ECS policies and procedures.

This position is a fully onsite, client-facing role that requires in-person interaction and direct service delivery to participants at ECS program locations. Due to the essential nature of the duties and the need for consistent in-person engagement with clients, remote work or work-from-home arrangements are not available for this position.

SALARY:

External Candidates: $96,995 - $98,450

Internal Candidates: $99,905 - $101,360 Based on Longevity

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Manager leads CHEFS' culinary training program, integrating durable skills, life skills, job readiness, and culinary curriculum into a cohesive, trauma-informed program for individuals who are actively experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused. Running 5-6 cohorts per program year, the Program Manager begins each day in the classroom with students and coordinates closely with the Cook Trainers, Associate Director of CHEFS and Social Enterprise, Employment Specialist, Data and Impact Analyst, and Director of Workforce Development to support student success from intake through job placement.

A TEACHING ENVIRONMENT

CHEFS is, first and foremost, a school. Every member of our team - regardless of role or formal training authority - interacts with, guides, and helps develop our students. All staff are expected to approach their daily work as an opportunity to teach: modeling professionalism, sharing knowledge generously, and setting an example through their craft. Whether demonstrating a technique, explaining a process, or simply working alongside a student, everyone at CHEFS contributes to our students' growth and success.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Design & Instruction

• Integrate durable skills, life skills, job readiness, and culinary curriculum into a cohesive, trauma-informed program.
• Begin each day in the classroom, leading instruction in durable and life skills.
• Manage 5-6 cohorts per program year, with daily classes running 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
• Ensure services are delivered in compliance with funding objectives, expected outcomes, and high standards of practice.
• Plan and execute graduations and other participant-centered events.

Student Intake & Case Management

• Oversee student intake and case management in partnership with the Associate Director / Executive Chef, Cook Trainer, Employment Specialist, and Data and Impact Analyst.
• Manage student attendance and progress tracking.
• Conduct student one-on-ones to support their professional goals and individualized education plans.

Partnerships & External Relationships

• Build and maintain employment partnerships, referral sources, and connections to City resources that benefit students.
• Recruit, coordinate, and schedule guest instructors and special-workshop leaders.
• Collaborate with other ECS departments to extend culinary training and job-readiness opportunities to clients across the organization.

Administrative & Compliance

• Ensure programmatic compliance with public and private funder requirements.
• Record data, progress, and outcomes required to secure and maintain program funding.
• Partner with Workforce Development leadership and the Data and Impact Analyst to provide accurate information for required funder reporting.
• Coordinate and manage student stipends and student classroom purchases.
• Manage the program budget in coordination with the Director of Workforce Development and monitor controllable budget expenditures for the operational aspects of the program.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, program materials, orientations, and schedules.

Team & Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with the Cook Trainers, Associate Director / Executive Chef, Employment Specialist, Data and Impact Analyst, and Director of Workforce Development.
• Cross-train staff to ensure redundancy of knowledge across instructional and employment functions.
• Participate in and convene team meetings to advance programmatic and organizational goals.
• Provide appropriate crisis intervention and emergency response involving participants, in partnership with program and Workforce Development leadership.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Manager partners closely with the Director of Workforce Development and coordinates the Employment Specialist, the Associate Director of CHEFS and Social Enterprise, Cook Trainers, and other team members to support student success, and may provide oversight of transitional employee(s) as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• BA in Education, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, a related field, or the equivalent in relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience, with demonstrated ability to lead a dynamic, evolving employment and training team.
• Demonstrated experience in training and employment, preferably for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Comfort with the harm-reduction model and experience working with a multi-cultural, low-income population.
• Ability to adapt curriculum and lesson plans to the needs of adult learners with various barriers to learning.
• Ability to meet complex, measurable programmatic outcomes and report accurately to a variety of funders.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and demonstrable computer skills.
• Knowledge of community resources; ability to establish and model healthy boundaries; commitment to confidentiality.

Preferred

• Master's-level degree.
• Previous program management experience.
• Experience stewarding new or pilot programs to success.
• Experience managing grants and compliance for workforce development programs.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Must secure and pass fingerprint image (Live Scan) screening, a background check, and annual TB screenings. The incumbent will honor and abide by Episcopal Community Services' organizational values and its policies and procedures.

Mission Essential

• Demonstrate behavior that supports the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Adhere to all program, funder, and organizational policies, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively and model integrity, fairness, and ethical business practices.

ECS offers industry leading healthcare benefits to support your

physical and mental well-being.

ECS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records as consistent with San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.

ECS values a workplace where every individual is respected, supported, and given equal opportunity to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.