Job description

Director of Job Training Title: Director of Job Training
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Overview:
L.A. Kitchen is a nonprofit organization that operates programs and revenue generating services. Its mission is to ensure neither food nor people ever go to waste. To achieve this, L.A. Kitchen partners with regional farmers and produce suppliers to secure fruits and vegetables that our kitchen staff, culinary trainees and volunteers process to make fresh, nutritious meals tailored to the needs of our community. L.A. Kitchen’s rigorous job training program prepares unemployed or underemployed individuals, specifically youth aging out of the foster care system and older adults exiting the prison system, for careers in the culinary industry. Meals prepared are distributed to local social service agencies, primarily focusing on our senior population.

Summary of essential job functions: The Director of Empower is responsible for formulating program policy, services, budget and long-range plans of Empower, the culinary training program. The Director is responsible for student recruitment and outreach, student enrollment and liaison with our community partners. The Director provides student support/issue resolution and ensures that processes, procedures and policies are aligned with the program mission and core objectives. Develops and monitors budget for the training program. This position manages other Empower staff: Workforce Development Coordinator, and the Social Worker (Life Skills Coordinator). Coordinates efforts and consults with Executive Chef/Lead Chef Instructor on curriculum development and lesson plans.

Detailed responsibilities:
Program and Staff Management:

•  Leads the development of program objectives, strategies and metrics to achieve strategic goals
•  Establishes and maintains a conducive learning environment for students and staff.
• Monitors and evaluates program services to determine if metrics are being met including student retention and employer partner satisfaction. Identifies opportunities for improvement and resolves any discrepancies. Provides staff mentoring, observations, coaching and feedback
• Creates and monitors yearly budget.
•  Develops and administers procedures, processes, and guidelines to help align all program activities and services with strategic goals.
• Supports grant writing and applications to help secure funding for the program.
• Maintains impact metrics and utilizes them effectively to promote and evaluate the program results. Provides direction to Workforce Development Coordinator, the Social Worker and the Executive Chef/Lead Chef Instructor.

Recruitment & Student Services:

• Oversees the Empower LA recruitment and intake process for new candidates with the Social Worker, Life Skills and Student Services Coordinator.
•  Conducts interview process and evaluates potential candidates for the Empower L.A. Program
•  Develops, implements and evaluates student performance.
•  Manages the kitchen trial evaluation period and evaluate each candidate’s hard and soft skills.
•  Establishes new social service agency and governmental partners to help with wrap-around services for students.
•  Provides direction to the Workforce Development Coordinator to ensure that internships are developed according to strategic goals; that students are placed in a four week culinary internship and that students are supported in their job search and that other professional development goals are met.
•  Provides direction to the Life Skills and Student Services Coordinator (Social Worker) to ensure that students needs are met.

Other responsibilities:

• Participates and provide support at special events including fundraisers and volunteer events.
• Ensure accurate SafeServ testing and drug testing for students
•  Supports other synergistic efforts with other LA Kitchen programs
• Creates monthly reports as needed.

Education and Experience

• BA in psychology, social work, education or related field
• Culinary Arts degree or certificate or AA degree with culinary or hospitality focus preferred
• High desire, motivation and comfort level helping at-risk adults to achieve self-sufficiency
• Ability to handle adversity in a calm, professional and confident manner
• 5 years experience managing a culinary education program
• 5 years management experience
• Non profit work experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to speak persuasively to a variety of audiences

Qualifications:

• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Knowledge of food service, including sourcing, distribution, nutrition, and sustainability, and equipment.
• Strong technology skills, including fluency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with food production and purchasing software, a plus.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation best practices and regulations.
• Experience working with clients and maximizing client satisfaction.
• Good organizational skills and experience managing logistics.
• Demonstrated analytic and quantitative skills.
• Able to meet deadlines in a busy fast paced environment.
• Cause driven.
• Valid driving license and good driving record.
• Available to work flexible schedule.
• Strong leadership skills and experience supervising diverse work force

Salary: Commensurate with Experience       
Hours: Variable 40 – 50 hours per week    
Days: Monday through Friday    
Benefits: L.A. Kitchen provides a competitive comprehensive benefits package.     

Compensation

this position is: salaried

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline