Reports to:

Chef Position:

Part-time (~25 hours)

Non-exempt Shifts:

Days/Nights/Weekends/Holidays (Flexible Availability Required)

Spanish Speaking Preferred Pay:

$16/hr

Brief Description of Organization:

Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on the critical needs of children by operating programs that provide families with access to pediatric healthcare during the stress and uncertainty of a medical crisis. Our mission is keeping children near the care they need so families can get better together.

Position Overview:

The Meal Assistant supports the Chef in the daily operation of the Cooking con Amor Chef-led Meal Program , which provides nutritious, chef-prepared meals to families staying at Ronald McDonald House South Texas. The Meal Assistant is responsible for assisting with food preparation, cooking, portioning, meal service, kitchen organization, cleaning, and maintaining food safety and sanitation standards. This position plays an important role in ensuring families receive consistent, welcoming, and high-quality meals while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment.

Culinary Responsibilities:

Assist the Chef with daily meal preparation according to established menus, recipes, and production schedules. Wash, peel, chop, portion, and prepare fruits, vegetables, meats, and other ingredients as directed. Assist with cooking, baking, reheating, and assembling meals under the direction of the Chef. Prepare grab-and-go meals and other food items as assigned. Assist with accommodating identified dietary restrictions and food allergies when feasible and as directed by the Chef. Assist with portioning and packaging meals for families. Label, date, store, and rotate prepared food and ingredients according to established procedures. Assist with meal setup, service, and replenishment. Help ensure adequate quantities of food are prepared for the expected number of families. Communicate to the Chef when additional food, ingredients, or supplies are needed. Food Safety & Sanitation Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements. Maintain proper food temperatures during preparation, cooking, holding, cooling, and storage. Follow proper procedures for preventing cross-contamination and allergen exposure. Maintain clean and sanitary food preparation surfaces, utensils, equipment, and storage areas. Properly wash, sanitize, and store dishes, cookware, utensils, and kitchen equipment. Complete required temperature logs, cleaning logs, and other food safety documentation. Properly dispose of food waste and maintain appropriate trash and recycling procedures. Immediately report food safety concerns, equipment issues, spills, hazards, or other concerns to the Chef or supervisor. Kitchen Organization & Inventory Assist with receiving, checking, storing, and organizing food and kitchen supplies. Rotate inventory using appropriate first-in/first-out practices. Monitor food and supply levels and communicate shortages or anticipated needs to the Chef. Keep refrigerators, freezers, pantry areas, and food storage areas clean and organized. Assist with inventory counts as requested. Help minimize food waste through proper preparation, storage, portioning, and inventory rotation. Handle donated food and ingredients according to organizational food safety procedures. Family & Guest Service Help create a welcoming and respectful meal experience for families. Interact with families, volunteers, staff, and guests in a professional and courteous manner. Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding families and their circumstances. Be attentive to family needs and refer questions or concerns outside the Meal Assistant's scope to the Chef or appropriate

RMHC-STX

staff member. Support a positive environment where families feel welcomed and cared for. Teamwork & General Responsibilities Work cooperatively with the Chef, Operations team, volunteers, and other

RMHC-STX

departments. Assist with volunteer coordination and kitchen tasks as directed by the Chef or COO/CEO. Assist with special meals, activities, events, or catered food service when needed. Follow

RMHC-STX

policies, procedures, safety requirements, and standards. Attend required staff meetings and training. Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality. Perform other duties as assigned. Education & Experience

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

High School diploma or equivalent is required. Prior experience in a customer service/hospitality position. Prior experience in working with families and/or individuals in a helping profession. Ability to demonstrate effective problem-solving skills, written and verbal communications skills. Valid Texas driver's license and proof of liability insurance. Ability to operate kitchen equipment and general office equipment. Ability to operate general cleaning equipment. Candidate must be highly dependable and responsible. Positive attitude, pleasant demeanor, appropriate dress required. Spanish speaking skills preferred. Must be able to work irregular hours including nights, weekends, and holidays. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• May be representative, but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position. Customer Service
• Enthusiastically interacts with all customers. Assumes personal responsibility for meeting customer needs. Consistently demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction. Interpersonal Skills
• Is sensitive to the needs, ideas, and feelings of others. Develops and maintains rapport with others. Listen well. Facilitates a group process. Adaptability/flexibility
• Demonstrates the ability to change behaviors and plans to meet rapidly changing/ competing job demands (new or unusual situations). Receives change as a challenge. Revises plans to meet changing circumstances. Communication
• Clearly and effectively communicates ideas and requests to others. Persuades or influences others through spoken or written communication. Initiative
• Starts and completes tasks with minimum prompting. Willing to make recommendations and assume additional responsibilities. Team Player
• Fully participates in maintaining a positive team environment that is conducive to customer satisfaction. Builds trust among co-workers, focusing on accomplishing hospital and departmental mission and goals. Organized and efficient
• Organizes work and uses time efficiently. Takes the initiative to find additional work during slow or downtimes. Recommends innovative ways of doing work more efficiently and effectively. Work Environment
• Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Must be available to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must be willing and able to drive company owned vehicles between RMHC programs and area food supply stores and/or restaurants. Regular and predictable attendance is required. Physical Abilities

• Physical demands commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Job duties regularly require climbing stairs, standing, walking, reaching, kneeling, talking, or hearing. Frequently required to be on foot. Must be able to lift and or move up to 50 pounds. RMHCSTX offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Employee must be able to meet job expectations. The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees with this level of responsibility. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and all required qualifications within job description required of employees in this position.

Experience:

Culinary:

1 year (Required)

Language:

Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person