Cook (part-time 20 to 24 hours)

Position Title: Cook - Shelter 

Our Saviour’s Community Services (OSCS) provides dignified shelter and housing for single adults and basic education classes to adult English language learners in the Phillips Community of South Minneapolis. OSCS takes its name from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, founded our programs in the early 1980s. In 2004, we became a legally and financially independent nonprofit. We are not a religious organization. Find more about OSCS at http://oscs-mn.org/.

Our Saviour’s Housing operates a 38-bed emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing program for single adults 18+. The shelter provides a bed, three meals a day, and supportive resources to 19 men and 19 women every night of the year. However, people of all genders are welcome. The shelter is currently open to residents 24/7. Our cohesive team works together to provide services that offer dignity and hope. Our Saviour’s Housing is a program of Our Saviour’s Community Services.

Our Saviour’s Housing operates a permanent supportive housing program for single adults in Hennepin County. The referrals are from Hennepin County’s Coordinated Entry System. The program aims to maintain housing for 100 single adults or couples that are 18+. The program finds housing in the community or uses our onsite housing buildings to house 10-12 participants. The program offers case management via housing support or housing stabilization. The participants have access to transportation provided by case managers and to our onsite food shelf. 

We offer employees the ability to make a meaningful contribution to the community. We offer a flexible working environment. We also provide excellent benefits to full-time and part-time (20+hours) employees, including generous Paid Time Off and Sick Time along with Paid Parental Leave; Paid Holidays; Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage Employer contributions toward premiums; Employer-paid Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance; professional development opportunities; voluntary benefit options including HSA; and participation in 401(k) retirement plan.

This Role: The cook position provides nutritious meals for the shelter residents, plans and coordinates the meal calendar with the volunteer coordinator and shelter manager.  The cook works collaboratively with other members of the Housing Team, as well as other Program staff members.

The Cook supports Our Saviour’s Community Services (OSCS) shelter kitchen operations by planning, preparing, and serving meals for guests. This role maintains food safety and cleanliness standards, assists with food inventory and ordering, and works closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to integrate volunteer meal groups and donated food items. The Cook ensures that meals are nutritious, cost-effective, and reflect the dignity of OSCS clients. 

This position is non-exempt, part-time, regularly scheduled at 20 to 24 hours per week; the hours may vary depending on the need. This role is within the Shelter Team and reports to the Shelter Manager. This position requires being on-site 20 to 24 hours a week.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Meal Preparation & Planning 

• Plan weekly meal menus with input from staff and volunteers. 

• Prepare and cook meals according to scheduled service times. 

• Ensure meals meet basic nutrition and dietary requirements (including vegetarian options). 

• Safely store, label, and rotate food items following food safety guidelines. 

Food Ordering & Inventory 

• Track pantry, refrigerator, and freezer supply weekly. 

• Maintain organized and accurate food inventory logs. 

• Place and receive food orders (with Shelter Manager approval). 

• Identify items for donation use and communicate needs to Volunteer Coordinator. 

• Monitor and minimize food waste. 

Coordination with Volunteer Coordinator 

• Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to schedule, train, and support volunteer meal groups. 

• Ensure volunteers follow kitchen safety and cleanliness practices. 

• Communicate pantry needs, surplus items, and meal planning opportunities with Volunteer Coordinator. 

• Assist in organizing donated food and ensuring City Code compliance. 

Kitchen Operations & Safety 

• Keep kitchen, storage, and prep areas clean and sanitary. 
• Wash dishes, clean stove, clean and light housekeeping

• Follow all state and city food safety requirements. 

• Report equipment or supply issues promptly to Shelter Manager. 

Communication & Check-Ins 

• Attend weekly check-in with Shelter Manager. 

• Provide updates on inventory, upcoming menus, and volunteer coordination needs. 

• Participate in team meetings when requested. 

Required Skills and Abilities

• Basic cooking and food preparation skills. 

• Have ability to drive, including a drivers license and a vehicle. 

• Ability to follow recipes and portion meals appropriately. 

• Good organizational skills for tracking inventory. 

• Team-oriented, with strong communication skills. 

• Willingness to work with volunteers and guests of diverse backgrounds. 

• Ability to lift to 50 pounds. 
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Computer skills: Can use Google suite, MS suite, Emails, IMS, and other tech programs to complete the job.
• Ability and willingness to learn about homelessness and factors impacting our participants.
• Ability to move around, drive to locations within the community,  work on a desk and in front of a computer, sit and stand for long periods, use kitchen equipment, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Experience and Qualification Requirements:

• Relevant personal, education, or work experience equivalent to 1+year
• Demonstrate and maintain a good driving record, a reliable vehicle and insurance, and a valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and pass and maintain an MN Department of Human Services background study
• Background and experience in non-profit organizations, human services, and similar programs

Job Type: Part-Time, Non-exempt

Pay Rate: $19-$21, hourly

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

OSCS is committed to providing a supportive, inclusive work environment. We are an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. We acknowledge that experience is gained through various settings and value informal experience in addition to formal education and work history.

Disclaimer. This job description only summarizes the typical job functions, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties of this position. The organization has the sole discretion to amend this job description at any time.