Chef
Are you passionate about cooking and nutrition? Do you enjoy working with
children and families?
Common Threads is seeking a dynamic teacher-who-can-cook or cook-who-can-teach
to work as a part-time Chef Instructor in the Pittsburgh, PA area. A Common Threads
Chef Instructor is the face of the organization, teaching hands-on cooking classes and
nutrition education to K-8th grade students, parents, and teachers in school kitchens
and community spaces and establishing relationships with schools, students, families,
and volunteers. Chef Instructors will teach in both virtual and in-person settings.
All lessons emphasize using fresh, quality ingredients and adopting healthy cooking and
eating habits. Each week features the cuisine of a different country or world region
and / or a nutrition lesson, with recipes and tastings of typical foods from different
cultures.
This is a part-time variable hour position that generally works 5-10 hours a week when
classes are in session. Some nights and / or weekends may be required.
Responsibilities :
Work with students in Kindergarten-8th grades and their parents, and manage a
classroom of up to 25 participants and four volunteers
Teach kids and parents cooking skills and nutrition; give students the tools to
make healthy choices
Communicate with school and partner organization staff and administration as
well as with Common Threads staff
Instructors will be trained on the curriculum, policies and procedures, and
administrative responsibilities
Instructors are required to follow the approved course curriculum, complete all
grocery shopping and submit required documentation
Administer pre-and post-surveys to students and families and manage paperwork
as needed
The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions of this role
and are not an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel occupying this
position.
Qualifications :
Basic knowledge of nutrition
Culinary school and / or food industry experience required
Experience teaching or working with children is strongly preferred
Reliable and dependable able to commit to programs, arrive on time, and
proactively communicate any needs or issues
Ability to be flexible with scheduling and possess a go-with-the-flow attitude
Must hold current food service sanitation certifications
Must have access to a car and a valid driver’s license
Instructors may be asked to teach virtual classes via Zoom and should be
comfortable teaching in a virtual setting and must possess adequate technology
for teaching a class, including high-speed Internet, a laptop / computer / digital
tablet, camera, headphones / mic, etc.
Experience working with culturally diverse audiences
Experience and / or high comfort level working virtually with internal and external
team members
A commitment to the mission and values of Common Threads
Compensation & Benefits :
Compensation rates
Teaching classes range from $75 to $150 per lesson
For administrative duties (i.e., training, attending meetings,
documentation) is $20 / per hour
This position is grant-funded.
Chef Instructors are employees of Common Threads who are eligible for paid
sick time, professional development opportunities, and access to resources
within our Employee Assistance Program.
Additional information :
Availability : This position begins in February 2022
Common Threads job applicants are subject to a background check before
employment
This is a part-time position with varied daily / weekly hours as needed. Some
The candidate should reside in the Pittsburgh area
Position reports to the PGH Senior Program Manager
About Common Threads :
Common Threads is a nonprofit that teaches children and families cooking and nutrition
education to encourage health and wellness. We are national in scope, with strong roots
in each of our 11 major program locations, reaching 30,000 children, parents, and
teachers in 2020-2021. We equip under-resourced communities with information to
make affordable, nutritious, and appealing food choices wherever they live, work, learn,
and play. We know that food is rooted in culture and tradition, so we promote diversity in
our lessons and recipes. We believe that adequate and healthy food contributes to
wellbeing. For more information, visit our website or Common Threads’ social media
accounts (@CommonThreadsOrg on Instagram and @CommonThreadsUS on
Twitter).
Physical Demands :
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by
an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand;
walk; sit; use hands / fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands
and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or
smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral
vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Common Threads’ EEO Statement :
Common Threads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees
and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Common
Threads complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in
employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to
all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,
promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and
training.
Common Threads expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national
origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with
the ability of Common Threads’ employees to perform their job duties may result in
discipline up to and including discharge.
How to apply :
If you think you meet most of these qualifications, we’d like to meet you! Submit your
application at www.commonthreads.org / careers. No phone calls, please. Serious
applicants only, incomplete applications will not be considered. No third-party firms