Kitchen Assistant

Job Description

Summary

This position serves as a Kitchen Assistant for a summer camp in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for children and youth who are blind or who have low vision.  The main goal of the camp is to provide a fun, safe and educational setting which promotes independence and quality of life for children and adults who are blind or have low vision.  As Kitchen Assistant, this position is responsible, under the direction of the Camp Director, for helping to purchase, store and prepare food for campers, assisting with cooking classes, helping campers with their food choices and food service, and kitchen clean-up according to established food safety rules.  This position reports to the Camp Director.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Follow instructions from the Camp Director/ Camp Kitchen Manager to assist in purchasing, storing, and preparing food for camp meals and cooking classes.
  • Follow guidelines in place to prepare allergen-free food for campers and staff with food sensitivities as directed.
  • Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through positive communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth.
  • Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; follow camp rules.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers that involve cooking.
  • Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff.
  • Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to Camp Director.
  • Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude and behavior.
  • Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures.
  • Set a good example to campers and others in regard to general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.
  • At the end of each camp session, make sure facilities are cleaned and prepared for the next session
  • At the end of the season, submit an end-of-camp evaluation with recommendations for improvement.
  • At the end of camp season, make sure the facilities are clean, equipment is inventoried and stored, and other duties as assigned to close camp
  • Learn and follow through with safety regulations and emergency procedures
  • NO SMOKING, USE OF ALCOHOL, or ILLEGAL DRUGS is permitted during summer employment with Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
  • Submit all required paperwork on time

Qualifications

This position requires a highly motivated person who is passionate about improving the quality of life for persons who are blind or have low vision.  Comfort with culture change and social change is a must for the person in this position.  Advocacy skills, excellent inter-personal skills, excellent communication skills, creativity, initiative and the ability to motivate others are important.

This position requires the following:

  • Must be at least 17 years of age
  • Enjoys cooking and keeping areas clean, neat and organized
  • Preferred: at least 1 season experience in an organized camp setting
  • In a physical condition that permits active participation in camp activities side-by-side with campers and staff, and able to physically respond in an emergency situation
  • Mature, capable person who willingly accepts guidance and supervision from supervisor
  • Work well with others
  • Willingness to live and work in an outdoor/camp setting
  • Ability to work independently
  • Current CPR and first aid training preferred
  • Life Saving certificate preferred (training and cost to be provided by OUB)
  • Ability to carry out established roles in enforcing camp safety regulations

Time Commitment

This is a 24/7 on-call position while camp is in session (see camp schedule).

This job description may not list all the duties and responsibilities of the position. The employee will answer to the OUB Camp Director, and may be asked to perform other duties. OUB reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee will be evaluated, in part, based upon the performance of the tasks listed in this job description.

This job description is not a contract for employment.