Job Description
Job Details Level Experienced
Job Location BRC - San Jose, CA
Position Type Full Time
Education Level High School
Salary Range $35.00 - $36.00 Hourly
Travel Percentage Negligible
Job Shift Any
Job Category Nonprofit - Social Services
Description POSITION: Sous Chef
PROGRAM: Facilities
LOCATION :Boccardo Reception Center (BRC)/Cold Weather Shelters (CWSP)-San Jose/Gilroy/Mountain View
SUPERVISOR :Food and Kitchen Services Manager
STATUS :Full Time, Non-Exempt (32-40 hrs./week)
COMPENSATION : $34-$35/Hourly
ABOUT HOMEFIRST Established in 1980, HomeFirst™ is a nonprofit organization passionately working to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming and systems leadership - meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs. With nearly 45 years of experience, we view housing as a fundamental human right and understand that solving homelessness requires a collaborative effort.
POSITION OVERVIEW The Boccardo Reception Center (BRC)is the largest homeless shelter and service facility in Santa Clara County with a capacity of up to 250 unhoused persons. The kitchen resides inside of the BRC with a Food Warehouse. This position will be responsible for food production that exceeds 1500 meals a day. The ideal candidate must undertake large meal production planning.
The kitchen is a fully permitted operation and subject to bi-annual inspections. It also holds a LFSCO permit to allow cooking, packaging and delivery to off-site locations.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: This role will report to the Food and Kitchen Services Manager.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: - Preparing meals and food to meet the specifications set by the Food and Kitchen Services Manager.
- Oversee and execute food production, including preparation, seasoning, marinating, and cooking.
- Ensuring kitchen staff adhere to set standards, procedures, department rules and sanitation requirements.
- Using kitchen knives and equipment such as grills, ovens, steamers and warmers in food preparation.
- Monitor inventory, order ingredients, and ensure daily production goals are met.
- Innovate by contributing to the development of new menu items.
- Ensuring proper food temperatures when cooking and proper storage afterward
- Keeping the workstation and kitchen equipment clean, organized and sanitized
- Lead quality control efforts, ensuring compliance with HACCP and hygiene regulations.
- Mentor and train team members to achieve culinary excellence.
- Maintain budgetary controls by minimizing waste and optimizing resources.
- Respond to customer feedback and implement improvements to exceed expectations.
- Taking charge of kitchen opening, closing and other side duties as directed by the Food and Kitchen Services Manager.
Quality - Maintains and monitors hygiene, health and safety standards and monitors that Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations are adhered to.
- Conducts quality checks of goods received.
- Monitors and ensures compliance with recipe specifications.
Leadership - Ensure that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed and directed
- Make the company's values and management principles live in the department(s)
- Implement and control the cost budget in responsibility; initiate and steer corrective actions in case of deviations
- Participate and support company sponsored initiatives such as Global Quality Standard (GQS), HACCP, Lean Manufacturing
BENEFITS HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers' compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 4 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.
ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.
HomeFirst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.
HomeFirst is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.
Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS (YOU HAVE): Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED
- 3-5 years in commercial cooking. Culinary school certification or apprenticeship preferred.
- Regulatory Knowledge : Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety standards.
- Leadership : Proven ability to guide and motivate a team
- Organizational Skills : Adept at managing productivity, stock, and quality in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working with the unhoused population preferred.
- Experience in customer service preferred.
- Must provide a clean drug test
- Must be able to provide a clear background and fingerprint results
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge - Able to follow written and oral instructions and take direction.
- Ability to work with people of diverse social backgrounds.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- High level of flexibility and ability to prioritize appropriately.
- Ability to present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences.
- Ability to work as a member of a team.
- Walk, bend, twist, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
- Able to regularly lift 50-75 lbs.
- Sensitivity to the needs of homeless individuals and families
- Observant of the environment and the people within it
- Desire to continually develop skills and increase knowledge.
- Value being part of a coordinated team.
- High level of professionalism with internal and external audiences
- Strong sense of accountability
HomeFirst
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Apprenticeship, Local area, Immediate start, Holiday work, Flexible hours, Shift work,