Kitchen Assistant – Behavioral Health Facility ABC Recovery Center Inc

Support daily food service, dishwashing, and sanitation operations within a licensed substance use disorder (SUD) residential treatment environment. The Kitchen Assistant ensures back-of-house cleanliness, assists with basic food preparation, sets up meal service lines, maintains food temperature logs, and provides friendly support to program clients while maintaining a safe, dignified, and recovery-focused dining space.

Key Responsibilities:

• Dishwashing & Sanitation: Operate commercial dishwashing equipment; wash, sanitize, and store cookware and utensils; sweep/mop floors; manage trash/recycling; maintain accurate food and refrigeration temperature logs.
• Service Line & BOH Support: Set up/break down service lines; stock dining supplies and condiments; receive and rotate food stock (FIFO method); maintain organized chemical closets, walk-ins, and dry storage.
• Food Prep & Client Interaction: Assist with basic prep (washing/peeling produce, portioning, tray setup); serve meals on the line; clean beverage machines; maintain professional boundaries and client confidentiality (HIPAA) during service.

Requirements:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required.
• Food Handler Card: Active California/Riverside County-approved Food Handler's Card required prior to start date.
• Certifications: Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire; employer-provided).
• Identification & Background Clearances: Valid California /Driver's License (no driving required); must pass FBI/DOJ fingerprint clearance, negative TB test, and pre-employment drug screening.
• SUD Facility Standards: Minimum of two (2) years of continuous sobriety required if in personal recovery; position is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug testing and drug-free workplace standards.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand/walk for extended shifts, perform repetitive kitchen motions, and lift/carry/push up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 months of commercial kitchen, janitorial, healthcare, or hospitality experience (willing to train the right candidate).
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (reading, writing, and speaking).