The mission of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is to provide a safe haven, high-quality care and hope for the future to children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter has provided hope to children in Arkansas since 1993. Composed of three pillars: The Shelter, Hope Academy and Foster for the Future, our programs utilize and develop cutting-edge practices, grounded in over 30 years of trauma-centered research, to holistically meet the needs of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect. We are dedicated to continuing to develop high-quality programs and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that will guide best practices for decades to come.

OUR VALUES: Compassion: Recognize and meet the needs of children with respect, sensitivity and unconditional love;

Excellence: Set the standard for high-quality service to children by performing above the expected;

Integrity: Strive with our words and actions to be worthy of the trust placed in us.

THE POSITION: The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter seeks an individual to serve as a Cook. Reporting to the Executive Chef, the Cook plays a key role in preparing and serving nutritious meals and snacks to the residents of the organization in a clean and sanitary environment, while embracing and upholding our mission and values.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Key responsibilities include but are not limited to: ● Take the necessary steps that all food is prepared, served and stored under sanitary conditions. ● Ensure temp logs are maintained in all kitchens. ● Take appropriate actions so that safe working conditions are maintained and the kitchen is operated in a safe manner. ● Have in place practices so all areas of the kitchen are kept clean and sanitary. ● See to it that all kitchen and dining room trash is emptied daily or more often as needed. ● Ensure that all kitchen equipment and storage areas are clean, sanitary and organized so that preventative maintenance is provided as needed for kitchen equipment. ● Maintain dish sanitizers on wings with kitchen equipment. ● Oversee the regular monitoring and stocking of food items in cabinets, refrigerators and freezers. ● Responsible for prepping and preparing meals as needed. ● Perform all other duties as assigned. Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes ● Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills. ● Flexibility, reliability, patience, and self-motivation. ● Ability to thrive in a continually changing environment. ● Ability to demonstrate professionalism, interpersonal skills and strong written and oral communication skills. ● Basic proficiency in use of computers and software.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ● Twenty-one years of age or older. ● High school diploma or equivalent. ● Prefer commercial kitchen experience or training in the food service industry. ● Prefer knowledge and experience with the NSLP reporting and procedures. ● Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks. ● Must submit to a pre-employment drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed. ● Valid driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicles and/or for shelter business.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS ● Ability to maintain a flexible schedule based on the needs of the shelter. ● Potential for unpredictable resident behavior. ● Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting for long periods of time, both indoors and outdoors. ● Ability to lift at least 50 pounds. ● Potential exposure to communicable diseases/contagions.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.