POSITION: Lead Cook (AM/PM Shift)
REPORTS TO: Head Chef
STATUS: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Associate III
UNION ELIGIBLE: No
WORK ARRANGEMENT: In Person 100%
LOCATION: Nap, CA
SALARY RANGE: $28.09/hr – $33.73/hr
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a renowned organization providing education, training, advocacy, and community support for blind individuals globally. Established in 1902, LightHouse is a leading comprehensive blindness organization in North America. Our mission is to promote the independence, equality, and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision.
This position is based at our retreat center, Enchanted Hills, in Napa, California. Enchanted Hills caters to various clients and hosts in-house programs, including the cherished tradition of a summer camp that fosters adventure and lifelong friendships for individuals with visual impairments.
*Blind/visually impaired strongly encouraged to apply.
OVERVIEW:
As the Lead Cook at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, you play a pivotal role in our kitchen operations, reporting to the Head Chef. Your responsibilities encompass executing diverse menus, maintaining food standards and quality, ensuring timely meal service, and supporting the kitchen team’s success. We seek an individual with strong communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively, and a commitment to upholding our kitchen’s overall excellence.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2-3 years of progressive culinary experience required
- Previous experience leading a team in a busy environment required
- Advanced knowledge of culinary principles, practices, and techniques
- Valid CA food handlers permit
- Formal culinary training preferred
- Ability to follow directions and seek clarification when needed
- Professional communication skills with co-workers and other departments
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Maturity of judgment and behavior
- Attention to detail and high standards for hygiene
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Compliance with dress code requirements
- May be required to work at other locations occasionally
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Advanced knife skills
- Ability to read, comprehend, execute, and scale recipes
- Intermediate to advanced culinary skills, including butchery
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Organizational, time management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to monitor, evaluate, and solve operational problems
- Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Adaptability, dependability, and the ability to handle multiple priorities
- Demonstrated high level of service responsiveness
- Excellent logistical planning and delegating skills
- High energy and self-motivation with a history of improving guest experience
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Ensure kitchen staff adherence to tasks, food quality control, proper storage, labeling, and cleanliness
- Maintain consistency and superiority in food preparation, quality, presentation, and service
- Oversee kitchen operations as shift lead, ensuring product quality
- Set an example for kitchen staff by following safety, hygiene, and performance protocols
- Conduct line checks multiple times per shift for compliance
- Maintain cleanliness, organization, and stocking of storage areas
- Label, date, and store food properly
- Document food waste following protocol
- Assist in maintaining accurate inventories
- Delegate and participate in opening, closing, and side work duties
- Proactively create a welcoming environment for guests and employees
- Willingness to perform other related duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Capable of walking over uneven terrain
- Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 8 hours)
- Lift up to 50 pounds frequently and occasionally team lift/move 50 pounds
- Manage physical activities such as standing, bending, stooping, stretching, exposure to sun and heat, and varying environmental conditions
- Safely work with sensitive materials and/or chemicals
- Ability to independently travel to all LightHouse campuses and throughout the community as needed.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
LightHouse is an equal opportunity employer. LightHouse policy and the law prohibit discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, ancestry, religion or religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, age (40 and over), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin (including language use restrictions), marital status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, denial of Family and Medical Care leave, height and weight, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Our policy and the law prohibit co-workers, third parties, supervisors, and managers from engaging in such conduct.
LightHouse personnel are employed on an at-will basis. Employment at-will means that the employment relationship may be terminated, with or without cause and with or without advance notice at any time by the employee or the Agency.
We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. Employees are expected to behave in accordance with these objectives.
All employees at LightHouse are hired for an indefinite and unspecified duration and consequently, no employee is guaranteed employment for a specified length of time. Employment is at the mutual consent of the employee and LightHouse. Accordingly, either the employee or LightHouse can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause (“employment at will”).
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no. PDFs please), along with the completed employment application (downloads in a Word document), to HR@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. To fill out the application, please enable editing in the document. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints, we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest, thanks for your understanding.
