Essential Job Functions: 

• Works as directed to ensure that the selection, purchase, preparation, and delivery of all food to all assigned locations is appropriate as to quantity, economy, and within stated quality standards as dictated by governing authorities, including the Health Department, National School Lunch Program, Contract requirements, and CARF. 
• Follows menus approved by licensed dietician/Executive Chef and follows weekly meal cycles and meets meal schedules.
• Prepares nutritious tasteful meals with a minimum of waste.
• Prepares food according to regular and therapeutic planned menus using correct sanitation procedures.
• Assists in serving meals using portion control daily.
• Obtains feedback from staff and clients as to quality, likes/dislikes of food served.
• Ensures meals are served on time according to schedule.
• Plan and preps meals for next day and ensures meals are prepared for all shifts including weekends.
• Stores food appropriately in regards to temperature.
• Takes inventory, prevents theft or misuse of food, kitchen supplies.
• Washes dishes, pots and pans.
• Prepares special meals as directed by supervisor or ordered by physician.
• Maintains and rotates food in walk-in freezer/shelves to ensure freshness and monitor expiration dates.
• Responsible for monitoring the behavior and activities of clients in the kitchen; reports any concerns regarding the health, safety, or well-being of clients to the appropriate authority.
• Serves as a positive role model; utilizes approved behavior modification techniques to help clients learn desirable behaviors; provides positive reinforcement and support to clients.
• Completes required program documentation; completes reports as required; documents service and progress daily regarding client activities and behavior patterns, and notes all changes in all areas.
• Reviews and documents in shift report logs, shift logs, companion files, contact cards etc. as required by program.
• Participates in meetings as required; converses with staff on client's progress or lack of progress.
• Performs general cleaning responsibilities as assigned.
• Attends training /in-services as required.
• Controls verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and performs aggression control techniques. Communicates effectively with suicidal, mentally, emotionally, and/or psychologically disturbed clients in person and over the telephone to diffuse potentially life-threatening situations.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:  Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and 6 months of culinary experience (control food/ quantity, station set up, prepping food, clean up, stocking, and cooking) required.  Experience in human services and/or experience working with clients in a correctional/residential setting preferred. Food Safety Manager Certification preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities: 

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle to deliver food and/or catering.
• Ability to prepare the station before the start of each service, and to prep food for service each day.
• Ability to provide direct oversight when clients unload delivery trucks and store inventory correctly.
• Ability to perform housekeeping responsibilities.
• Ability to operate standard office and kitchen equipment.
• Ability to ensure all clients receiving a special diet that has a physicians order are satisfied in alignment with the client needs.
• Heavy and routine lifting may be required. 
• Some knowledge of the criminal justice human services field according to program need, and the application of basic client care skills.
• Ability to utilize behavior management techniques and serve as a role model.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license, acceptable driving record, and proof of personal automobile insurance if required to drive an SMA vehicle and/or use a personal vehicle for SMA business. Complete State of Florida mandatory background screening prior to start of employment.  Complete SMA required training during the first six (6) months of employment and updated if required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day. Able to lift minimum 50 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs. Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally. Work endurance ability to work 8-12 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible. Routine 8-12 hour shifts. Hours and days off may vary. Extra hours may be required. Work assignment locations may vary.

Application: This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications which may be required of the employee assigned to the position. It should not be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.