Food Service Specialist

Job Title: Food Service Specialist

Department: Programs

Program: Community Access and Food Services

Reports To: Community Access & Food Services Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Full Time

Position Summary

The Food Service Specialist plays a vital role within the Food Services program, supporting the efficient operation and delivery of services at Caritas of Austin’s downtown location. This position is responsible for assisting and coordinating all aspects of daily service activities in the Community Kitchen and pantry. The Community Kitchen serves 200-300 community members daily, providing nutritious lunches to those in need. The Food Service Specialist provides backup support for both programs as assigned, ensuring seamless service delivery and fostering a welcoming environment for all clients.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (inclusive but not exhaustive):

Pantry Duties

Client Services

• Provide strong customer service and clear communication to clients, visitors, and colleagues.
• Develop and maintain appropriate working relationships with food services, volunteers and donors.
• Distribute food and basic needs items to clients within established agency guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety standards.
• Educate clients and staff about other community food resources.
  
  
  

Inventory and Maintenance

• Responsible for maintaining inventory in the pantry, ex. receiving, storing, and organizing food and supplies daily.
• Assist Community Pantry Coordinator in ordering, receiving, organizing, inspecting, and maintaining inventory in the Pantry in accordance with Caritas guidelines (i.e., weighing and checking expiration dates).
• Transport inventory items to/from storage, as needed.
• Maintain general cleanliness and organization of the Pantry area daily.
• Enter donation and food voucher data into database accurately and timely.
  
  
  

Organizational Support Options

• Participates in Caritas food drives as needed.
• Attends all program and Caritas staff meetings.
• Provide training to new staff about pantry operations.
• Complies with administrative procedures, reporting, and record keeping functions as assigned (e.g., completing donation forms on all donated items).
  
  
  

Other Duties

• Treats clients, staff, volunteers and the public with courtesy and respect.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Develop an approved plan for professional development, in collaboration with supervisor. This includes attendance at all Caritas staff training.
  
  
  

Kitchen Duties

• Assist the Chef daily in the production of designated items.
• Engage in safety standards and practices.
• Develop and maintain appropriate working relationships with food services volunteers.
• Assist in preparing meals/dining room daily for approximately 200-300 diners and must be present during entire service to provide ongoing support and guidance.
• In collaboration with Chef, it ensures that the Community Kitchen consistently opens on time.
• Responsible for inspecting all food donations prior to acceptance, to ensure compliance with Caritas of Austin and health department policies. Quality control and food inspection is crucial.
• Assists Chef in establishing consistent procedures and menus for special dietary requests from diners.
• Responsible for collaborating with the Chef in establishing menus that meet quality standards and can be supported by donations.
• Responsible for overseeing and performing routine meal service tasks, including but not limited to; preparing fruit, salads, main entrée, desserts, setting up the line, etc.
• Responsible for overseeing and delegating responsibilities to “Culinary Volunteers” and daily “Volunteer Groups” to ensure a positive and safe experience.
• Promotes an organized, welcoming and safe Community Kitchen environment for all volunteers and diners.
• Maintains a professional demeanor and appropriate attire must be worn at all times.
• Take lead in the Kitchen in the absence of the Chef.
  
  
  

Inventory and Maintenance

• Responsible for receiving, storing and organizing food and supplies daily.
• Adheres to County Health Department standards in maintaining a clean, sanitary and safe environment. Responsible for ensuring volunteers and other food service staff members also comply with department guidelines/regulations.
• Ensure that all kitchen equipment is in working order and used appropriately by staff and volunteers. Notifies Food Services Manager of needed equipment and/or repairs to existing equipment.
  
  
  

Qualifications:

Education

• Required – High School Diploma or GED.
  
  
  

Experience

• Required – 1 year in food handling experience and preparation, 3 or more preferred related professional experience.
• Preferred – Prior experience in pantry services and/or working with diverse populations.
  
  
  

Computer Skills

• Required: Minimum of 1 year of food handling and preparation experience
• Preferred: 3 or more years of related professional experience
• Preferred: Prior experience in pantry services and/or working with diverse populations.
  
  
  

Language Skills

• Preferred: Bilingual (English/Spanish)
  
  
  

Other Requirement(s)

• Possess or obtain a valid food handler permit within 30 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required.
  
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Stands approximately 6-7 hours per day
• Frequently exerts up to 50 pounds or more of force to lift, carry, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Bending, stooping, reaching, climbing several times through a shift
• Ability to drive to and from vendor or donor locations, this may involve sitting for extended periods of time
  
  
  

Salary/Benefits:

• Base Salary Range: $45,490.40 - $49,490.40
• Employer paid health, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance for employees.
• 14 Paid Holidays per year.
• 20 days of accrued PTO in year one with increases up to 31 days per year.
• Retirement plan with employer match.
• Discounted Rates on Gold’s Gym and Legal Shield memberships.
• Mileage Reimbursement.
• Monthly Phone Stipend.
• Monthly Paid Parking for employees who office from Downtown Location.
  
  
  

Application Requirement

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered. To be considered for this position, applicants must submit all of the following:

• A detailed resume outlining relevant experience
• A cover letter tailored to the position
• A list of professional references
• A fully completed application
  
  
  

Applications missing any of these components will be considered incomplete and will not move forward in the review process.

Caritas of Austin is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.