Cook - Gaudenzia

We need hope-bringers and changemakers — because the work we all do matters. If you’re passionate about making an impact with your time and being someone’s light in the darkness, we want you on our team.

Come Join Us to Do Mission-Based, Meaningful Work

Who We Are

Gaudenzia is one of the largest nonprofit providers of treatment to people with substance use and co-occurring disorders in the nation. We operate in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.  

Our caring, compassionate team is on a mission to save thousands of lives each year and bring hope to people devastated by substance use disorder. Together, we help individuals, families, and communities heal and thrive in the face of one of the most devastating public health crises of our time.

As our organization grows and evolves to meet the needs of our clients and communities, we’re seeking passionate, empathic individuals to help us make an impact. With your help, we can turn the tide on substance use disorder.    

Who we’re looking for:

This individual can work in the kitchen of a complex program with 30 or more clients. They are responsible for preparing well-balanced, nutritional meals for the entire facility; maintaining reasonable food costs through the proper use, preparation, and storage of food; always ensuring a sanitary kitchen in accordance with state and local health departments; and following established policies and procedures. Individual should obtain and/ or maintain ServSafe Food Handler and/ or Manager certification.

Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, policies, and procedures, but employees are expected to exercise initiative and independent judgment in discharging duties. Work is reviewed by the Program Director through an evaluation of the completion of assignments.

Your responsibilities in this role may include:

1. Treat all clients and staff with dignity and respect.
2. Ensure timely and nutritious meals for clients.
3. Adhere to menus established by the dietitian in accordance with proper nutritional guidelines and School Lunch Program criteria, including the maintenance of portion control.
4. Ensure the timely and accurate ordering (1-3 times weekly), inventory, and proper storage of food and paper goods.
5. Monitor food budget.
6. Comply with Department of Health regulations regarding sanitation, operations, maintenance, and education for all kitchen activities.
7. Supervise clients in the kitchen department and ensure that kitchen operations are maintained in accordance with the DOH regulations and facility policy and procedures manual.
8. Assist in the compilation of reports and billing pertaining to kitchen functions to Regional and Corporate Offices.
9. Attend operation meetings to review kitchen needs and report client-specific issues and meet with staff supervisor two times weekly to discuss existing problems and communicate the status of the kitchen.
10. Maintain accurate records for School Lunch Program, CARF accreditation, and any other programs in place.
11. Obtain/Maintain Food Manager’s Certification, where applicable.

Benefits & Perks:

Gaudenzia is a diverse, inclusive workplace where purpose-driven people thrive. We think our team members are real heroes, and we believe those who devote their lives to making the world a better place deserve competitive salaries, generous health benefits, and unbeatable work-life balance in return.

Benefits & Perks at Gaudenzia include:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance (At No Cost)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (At No Cost)
• Life Insurance (At No Cost)
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (At No Cost)
• Vision Insurance
• Various Supplemental Benefits (Aflac, Legal, Identity Theft & FSA)
• You generate two banks of time off: Personal and Vacation
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) Accruals at 80 hours minimally during your 1^st year of employment
  • Vacation Accruals at 80 hours minimally during your 1^st year of employment
• 10 Paid Holidays Per Calendar Year
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Education Assistance Benefit (Tuition Reimbursement)
• Full reimbursement for the cost of professional license/certification renewals
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with an Employer Match Up to 5%
• Employee Assistance Program

Gaudenzia is an equal opportunity employer. We do not practice or permit discrimination based on race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, or veteran’s status.

Qualifications for this role:

Education/Training: Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. A valid ServSafe certification is preferred.

Experience: At least one (1) year of experience working in food preparation

• Knowledge of food preparation.
• Knowledge of special dietary needs and ability to plan menus to meet these needs.
• Ability to plan nutritional meals meeting the needs of the client population being served.
• Ability to produce a large volume of meals on a daily basis.
• Knowledge of food costs control.
• Ability to secure and maintain active ServSafe certification.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly.
• Ability to carry out basic math and unit conversion functions.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relations with staff and other agencies, clients, and the public.
• Ability to understand and comply with complex regulations.
• Ability to pass physical examination free of communicable disease.

What Matters to Us? Our Mission & Our Operating Principles

Our Mission 
Gaudenzia aspires to connect individuals and families to addiction and mental health treatment so they can attain long-term recovery and achieve a fulfilling life embraced by a broad community of mutual support. 

Our Operating Principles:

We, as members of the Gaudenzia Team, are committed to these principles. They guide the way we perform Gaudenzia business, every day.

1. We hold client care as our top priority.
2. We assume good intentions.
3. We are present, we connect, and we communicate with transparency, dignity, and respect.
4. We make data-driven decisions with courage, challenge the status quo, and find innovative ways to grow Gaudenzia and each other.
5. We support each other publicly and privately in all circumstances.
6. We provide and accept constructive, honest, respectful, and timely feedback with an open mind and without personalization.
7. We operate with integrity, focus on outcomes, and have a bias for action.
8. We follow through on agreements and honor commitments prioritized with a sense of urgency — someone’s life may depend on it.

Gaudenzia is proud to be an employer of choice — and a treatment provider of choice — in the substance use and co-occurring disorders treatment field. We work hard to foster an inclusive, supportive environment where our employees and clients always feel safe and welcome. Come work with us!