Cook (Travis County SMART Program) - Del Valle, TX

Who is Gateway Foundation?

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to provide essential services to underserved populations, all while working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice.  You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth, while embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion for every individual in every community. When you join us, you'll discover personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

We are honored to offer behavioral healthcare services in Corrections

Perks of working in correctional healthcare:

• Opportunity to make a positive impact on a marginalized population
• Exposure to diverse patient demographics
• Focus on driving change, tracking progress, and improving care
• Development of skills in a unique healthcare setting

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday

• Tuesday: 12PM - 6PM
• Wednesday & Thursday: 11:45AM - 6PM
• Friday & Saturday: 6AM - 6PM

Cooks responsibilities:

• Cleans and organizes work and serving areas, and maintains kitchen equipment.  
• Assists in menu planning and training of clients assigned to kitchen.  
• Prepares, seasons, cooks, and serves food. Carves portions of meat, fish, or fowl for individual servings.
• Leads the work of client kitchen assistants in preparing, cooking, and storing food, as well as in maintaining kitchen and storage facilities in sanitary condition.
• Estimates food needs in accordance with planned menus and daily production sheet, completes related requisitions and logs.
• Adheres to meal schedules and ensures timely preparation of food items.
• Maintains inventory of food and kitchen supplies.

Job Requirements:

• HS Diploma or GED
• 6 months experience in similar role
• Completion of Food Handler training course accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the State of Texas
• General knowledge of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning level of the client population; and the demonstrated ability to appropriately interact, tailor interventions, including de-escalation techniques, and communicate with clients based on their individual maturation level.
• Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to exchange information and interact with clients and treatment team.
• General knowledge in cooking and preparing a variety of foods.
• General knowledge of food preparation and presentation methods, techniques, and quality standards.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Ability to accept receipt of goods and supplies.
• General knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to lift 60 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for more than six hours a day
• Ability to follow basic safety precautions
• Ability to stoop and bend, ability to reach and grab with arms and hands, and manual dexterity to manipulate kitchen implements and utensils.
• Ability to speak with others in order to exchange information and provide support
• Ability to read recipes and instructions, and measure or portion food items.  Color vision and sense of smell necessary to inspect food items for spoilage.
• Ability to respond to telephones and pages, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Work Enviornment:

• Works in a corrections facility where there is exposure to potentially disruptive inmates.  Potential for harm is limited if established security precautions and procedures are followed.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and loud noises.

Benefits at Gateway Foundation:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match 
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 

Flexibility and Time Off:

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.