Mission of Austin Street Center: Founded in 1983, Austin Street Center provides emergency shelter and meets the basic needs of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Dallas.
Core Values: Kindness, Trustworthiness, Empowerment, Determination
Position Purpose
The Dining Services Associate is responsible to ensure food is appropriately prepared and served while maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness in the kitchen, coordinating neighbors, volunteers, and team members to ensure these standards are met.
In this and any position at Austin Street Center it is impossible to predict the many requests and assignments that can and will be made on an employee. Flexibility and a cooperative spirit are crucial characteristics of the person who holds this important position and for the successful operation of Austin Street Center services.
Departmental Expectations
- Attend regular one-on-one supervision with direct supervisor.
- Participate actively in team, department, and all-staff meetings as scheduled.
- Assist in training new team members on the expectations and best practices their daily work activities.
- Assist other teams and departments (Operations, Advancement, etc.) as appropriate by request.
- Participate in the operation of inclement weather shelter and Point in Time Count operations and activities as appropriate by request.
- Provide coverage as requested on at least one agency holiday per year to ensure consistent 24/7 operation of critical services.
Team Member Expectations
Follow a Healthy and Consistent Food Service Process
- Ensure that safe, nutritious food is provided at all established mealtimes during assigned shifts, including but not limited to:
- Three meals daily at main shelter and Sisterhood
- Snacks when available
- Meals for Welcome Center
- Food support for Inclement Weather Shelter operations
- Cold meals for employed neighbors
- Maintain a positive and professional presence in the kitchen and facilitate neighbor and volunteer services according to kitchen protocols.
- Greet, train, and assist community volunteer groups to provide excellent food service.
- Prepare and serve meals when volunteers are not present, either planned or unplanned, and ensure that dishes, cups, flatware, and utensils are cleaned appropriately.
Follow a Healthy and Consistent Food Service Process, continued
- Collaborate with Dining Services Team to develop menus of service for all areas.
- Assist with inspection, inventory, and safe use of purchased, donated, and/or freshly harvested goods from the New Hope Garden.
- Assist team to document donated items for in-kind donation records.
- Work with teams to provide specialized food for individual dietary needs according to reasonable accommodation practices.
- Modify work schedule as needed to ensure adequate coverage and support of kitchen processes according to company standards.
Facilitate the Safety and Longevity of the Kitchen
- Complete regular and deep cleaning processes according to established checklists in a timely manner, according to company standards and health code regulations.
- Comply with all applicable regulations pertaining to commercial kitchen services (federal, state, HAACP, etc.).
- Store purchased and donated food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer according to policies and regulations.
- Inventory pantry food and food served to ensure “first in, first out” processes and never serve expired food.
- Ensure that opened food is labeled to be discarded appropriately.
- Ensure that knives and other dangerous kitchen tools are inventoried and locked daily.
Provide Quality Food Service to and with Neighbors
- Recruit neighbors to assist with kitchen operations to ensure full, smooth functioning.
- Train neighbors to provide dining services according to standards.
- Teach neighbors to utilize the kitchen and develop cooking skills they can use when they move into their own home.
Key Performance Indicators
Team-Level Performance Indicators
- Internal Inspections completed weekly
- All health and safety inspections are passed with minimal corrective actions
- Corrective actions fixed and responded within two weeks
- Meal Services Schedule published weekly
Individual-Level Performance Indicators
- Deliver food services as ordered during the established shifts
- Maintain daily cleanliness of kitchen facilities
Fundamental Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Required
- Registered Food Service Manager Certificate required before hiring or within two weeks of hiring, and must be maintained at all times
- Certified in Civil Rights Training before hiring or within two weeks of hiring, and must be maintained at all times
- Minimum High school diploma or GED, preferably some college coursework completed in human services or a related field (social work, sociology, psychology, etc.)
- Professional experience in food services, management experience preferred
- High level of customer service skills required to interact with volunteer groups
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in written communication
- Demonstrates experience with and sensitivity to varying cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, values, and attitudes
- Basic to intermediate familiarity with digital communication, including cloud-based software, e-mail, and Microsoft Office applications
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis
- Able to work outside in adverse weather conditions when needed
- Able to work in a noisy environment with a large group of people
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred
- Ability to remain positive, motivated, and kind toward a demanding clientele
Strong applications will include a cover letter which details how the applicant demonstrates the character qualities required for excellent performance in this position.
Please ensure to include in the application your most recent three professional positions and at least three references.
