Part-Time Cook

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

DREAM has partnered with Brigaid to build our own in-house food service program, which will launch in Fall 2023 at our state-of-the-art school in the South Bronx and eventually expand to two additional DREAM locations in East Harlem and the Bronx. At scale, this program will serve breakfast, lunch, and likely dinner to 1,500 students almost 365 days of the year, along with providing curated food programs for DREAM alumni, families, and community members. The South Bronx campus will be the central hub for DREAM’s food and wellness programs as well as the main culinary event space for high-profile external events. 

Reporting to DREAM’s Chief Operating Officer, DREAM’s Part-Time Cooks will work closely with the Brigaid Program Chef and kitchen team to execute DREAM’s vision of a best-in-class food and nutrition program. Part-Time Cooks will be responsible for producing and serving daily meals to DREAM students and staff, and will maintain the kitchen and storage spaces to the highest level of organization, cleanliness, and safety. This is an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals committed to supporting the community’s engagement with food to help execute a one of a kind food program in service of DREAM’s students and families.

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Responsibilities

• Complete food preparation and basic prep work as directed by the Brigaid Kitchen Manager, including washing, cutting, portioning, and staging ingredients or prepared foods.

• Support meal assembly, plating, packaging, and distribution in accordance with menus, recipes, portion standards, and service plans.

• Serve meals to students and staff in a welcoming, respectful, and efficient manner; help maintain orderly serving and dining areas.

• Follow all food safety, sanitation, allergen-awareness, and temperature-control procedures, including required HACCP practices and applicable USDA, New York State, and NYC Department of Health requirements.

• Wash dishes, sanitize equipment and surfaces, remove waste, and maintain clean, organized kitchen, storage, serving, and dining spaces throughout the shift.

• Receive direction from Brigaid kitchen leadership and communicate promptly about supply needs, service issues, student feedback, food quality concerns, or safety risks.

• Support opening and closing routines, including setting up service areas, replenishing supplies, breaking down service, and securing food and equipment.

• Support special meals, suppers, community meals, events, and other food service activities as assigned.

• Perform other related duties that support a high-quality, safe, and student-centered food service program.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older;

• High school diploma or equivalent, required;

• Prior experience in food service, school food service, hospitality, custodial service, or a related setting preferred; professional cooking experience is welcome but not required.

• Ability to follow English-language written and verbal instructions, recipes, portion guidance, and food safety procedures.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Brigaid kitchen staff, DREAM employees, students, families, and school leaders.

• Strong reliability, organization, cleanliness, and attention to detail.

• Commitment to providing respectful, welcoming service to a diverse student and school community.

• Ability to receive feedback, learn new procedures, and adapt to changing schedules or service needs.

• NYC Department of Health Food Protection Certificate preferred; willingness to complete required training before or shortly after starting.

• Commitment to DREAM's mission and belief that all students can succeed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, and push supplies and boxes up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to stand for long periods of time, bend, kneel, and reach to store/retrieve supplies. 

• Occasional environment exposures to inclement weather. 

Working Expectations

• Part-Time Cooks must be available to start at 8am, with shifts running as late as 3:30pm

• Typical shifts are approximately 6–6.5 hours per day

• Additional hours may be available based on employee availability and program needs

• Shifts and weekly hours may vary by site, school calendar, and program needs

• Part-Time Cooks will be assigned to a DREAM campus in Mott Haven, East Harlem, or Highbridge; occasional schedule or location flexibility may be needed to support program operations.

• This role may include early morning, midday, after-school, summer, or special-event meal service shifts.

BenefitsDREAM offers the following benefits to our part-time employees:

• 403(b) retirement plan, with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment (12-month continuous period) in which you work a minimum of 1,000 hours;
• Disability benefits;
• Referral bonuses;
• Access to our Employee Discount Program, offering savings on travel, entertainment, retail, and more;
• High-performing part-time staff have the opportunity to apply for the DREAM Teaching Fellowship, through which they earn a Masters degree and become full-time teachers at DREAM.

Compensation

• DREAM offers competitive compensation commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for a seasonal increase. The hourly rate for this position for incoming staff is $18.00/hour.

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Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us.

DREAM Maxims 

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.