Temporary Kitchen Assistant – 35 Hours/Week, 6 Weeks

The Temporary Kitchen Assistant is an employee of the City of Kenai working under direction of the Senior Center Director.  The Kitchen Assistant performs kitchen duties such as food preparation, stocking, dish washing, and cleaning. The Kitchen Assistant performs some work helping with dining room functions.  This position requires daily contact with senior citizens and the general public.

This is a temporary position scheduled for 6 weeks, 35 hours a week.

1. Assist with the preparation, packaging, serving, and distribution of meals and food items for congregate and home-delivered meal programs. 
2. Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, food preparation equipment, work surfaces, and other kitchen areas.
3. Maintain kitchen, pantry, dining, and food service areas.
4. Assist with receiving, storing, organizing and maintaining food and kitchen supplies.
5. Provide courteous service to City employees, seniors, and members of the public.
6. Perform tasks with minimal or no supervision.
7. Attend Department training 
8. Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age. 
2. The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a background investigation, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet requirements for using record networks and as may be required by federal or state agencies to work with vulnerable populations such as senior citizens
3. Possess or obtain a food handler’s card to meet State of Alaska food safety requirements.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe work environment is typically in a commercial kitchen and in a community room setting, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.  The employee is frequently exposed to extreme heat and cold (non-weather) as well as to moving mechanical parts and electrical energy.  The employee may have to work on uneven and occasionally wet and slippery surfaces and is exposed to raw vegetable and animal products and water. The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods and to walk, stoop, crouch, bend, twist, lift, and reach with hands and arms. Manual dexterity, including gripping and some fine motor skills, is required to complete most tasks.  The employee must occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force, including lifting dishware and stocking supplies. 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONThe City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. 

NOTE: This position is a temporary position created to supplement the City’s workforce for a pre-established period of six (6) weeks. Temporary positions are excluded from participation in the State Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS) and ineligible for City-sponsored benefits, including medical and hospital insurance, annual leave, and holiday pay.