Volunteer Cook Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Lifelong is a community health organization on a mission to make health and food accessible. We remove barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone.

We lead with heart. Our respect for people drives our mission. For 40 years, Lifelong has fought health inequities so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our comprehensive services include food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other vital resources.

Position Overview:

Chicken Soup Brigade (CSB) is Lifelong’s food and nutrition program, providing medically tailored meals, culturally relevant groceries, and nutritional counseling & education to community members facing illness and injustice. The Cook is responsible for preparing high-quality meals according to established recipes, menus, and food safety standards. This role includes performing daily kitchen production tasks, such as prep, cooking, packaging, and dish washing as needed.

This regular, full-time, non-exempt, union role is based in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, with onsite presence required 08:30AM – 5PM Monday – Friday.

Essential Duties:

Meal Production:

• Prepare and cook food items according to standardized recipes, production sheets, and portion guidelines.
• Perform food prep tasks including washing, chopping, slicing, measuring, and marinating ingredients. 
• Package meals, ensuring portion control is followed according to meal specifications. 
• Minimize food waste and report inventory shortages or quality concerns.
• Monitor food quality, taste, appearance, and freshness throughout preparation and production.

Food & Kitchen Safety:

• Ensure food is prepared safely by following proper food handling, sanitation, and temperature control.
• Label, date, rotate, and properly store food and ingredients. 

• Follow all workplace safety, health, and organizational policies.
• Assist with receiving, storing, and rotating food supplies. 
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary workstations. 
• Operate kitchen equipment and tools safely and correctly; clean and store equipment after use.

Team Collaboration & Communication:

• Support the Sous Chef and Executive Chef in the retention of volunteers. Train and direct volunteers in food prep and packaging. Confirm volunteers are maintaining proper portion control when packaging meals. 
• Communicate effectively with kitchen team members and supervisors to support an efficient shift.
• Attend and participate in team meetings, all-staff meetings, trainings, and other events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Proficient in preparing and cooking recipes using a variety of cooking techniques.
• Accurately follow standardized recipes, portion control, and packaging guidelines to ensure consistency and quality.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, including proper handling, storage, temperature control, and sanitation. 
• Effectively manages multiple tasks while meeting timelines and maintaining food quality in a time-sensitive environment. 
• Ensure food is prepared to specification and meets standards. 
• Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and professionalism during all shifts.
• Complete timecards accurately and on time.

Education & Experience:

• High school Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Preferred experience with high-volume cooking.
• Current King County Food Worker’s Card, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of start date.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Generous vacation (3 weeks your first year), sick leave, and 2 personal days a year
• 401(k) match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance options
• Long term disability
• Mass transit subsidy
• 15 paid holidays per year

Work Environment:

• This position is primarily located in a kitchen setting, with the work occurring primarily onsite.

• The role may involve frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching. Employees must be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds to move office supplies or equipment. Depending on organizational needs, work may be performed in office, kitchen, or warehouse settings and may at times involve exposure to outdoor weather conditions or loud noises.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and a good driving record is preferred. 
• Any offer of employment is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Some programs may require additional background checks or frequency.

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About Lifelong:

Lifelong is a community health organization committed to removing barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone.

We lead with heart. Our respect for people drives our mission. For 40 years, Lifelong has fought health inequities so that everyone can have the opportunity to thrive. Our comprehensive services include food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other vital resources.

We are looking for passionate, dedicated people to join our talented team and make real, meaningful changes in the daily lives of those living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses in their community. Lifelong offers exceptional benefits, including paid time off, medical and dental coverage in addition to a balanced work-life integration.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Lifelong, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

EEO Statement:

Lifelong is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and experience that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of what we do.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and as such, we do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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DISCLAIMER: INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are an integral part of a compensation system, effective performance review system, related promotion, transfer, layoff, etc. decisions. 

All descriptions have been reviewed to illustrate the job functions and basic duties, in addition to peripheral tasks or that could generally be considered as other duties as assigned.

In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities and requirements be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. Requirements, skills and abilities included have been determined to illustrate the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions.