Leader Dogs for the Blind, based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been making people unstoppable for over 85 years, empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. To learn more about our mission and campus follow the link to our website here.

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance after 90 days of employment
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid disability insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit pay increases
• Workout room access
• Dog friendly office

SUMMARY

The Cook supports high-quality dining services by preparing and serving safe, nutritious, and appealing meals for clients, team members, and guests. This role maintains food safety and sanitation standards, supports efficient kitchen and dining operations, and contributes to a positive service experience through teamwork, flexibility, and professionalism.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and serve meals in accordance with approved menus, recipes, dietary requirements, and service schedules; monitor meal quality, presentation, temperature, and availability throughout preparation and service.
• Communicate and collaborate with service staff to address special meals and support smooth daily operations.
• Maintain orderly work areas and complete assigned cleaning and organizational projects.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, hygiene, allergen, and cross-contamination prevention standards.
• Clean and sanitize cookware, utensils, preparation areas, storage spaces, and kitchen equipment.
• Support dishwashing operations and maintain sanitary workstations throughout each shift.
• Identify and promptly report safety hazards, maintenance needs, and equipment concerns.
• Support meal plating, tray assembly, food delivery, beverage service, and dining room operations as needed.
• Partner with food service staff to support internal catering and other service needs.
• Provide courteous, responsive service that contributes to a positive dining experience.
• Monitor inventory levels, communicate supply needs, and receive and store deliveries appropriately.
• Maintain accurate labeling, dating, rotation, and storage of food in accordance with established standards.
• Help control food waste through appropriate handling, storage, and portioning practices.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Previous cooking experience in a restaurant, healthcare, senior living, or similar institutional setting required. Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, safe food handling, and special dietary requirements required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in latest version of Microsoft Office products.

• Possess strong interpersonal and customer service skills and be able to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Previous cooking/food service experience and ability to read and interpret recipes and special diet requests.

• Familiarity with use, cleaning and proper maintenance of food service equipment.

• Able to work with dogs and interact with blind and visually impaired students with courtesy and professionalism.

• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines; must have the ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

• Possess strong communication, organizational skills, and have acuity with detail.

• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.

• Possess a valid driver’s license with no restrictions and the ability to travel as needed.

• Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).

• Able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog.  This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

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.  Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, talk or hear, and taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and use the phone.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift/and or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer.  This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason.  Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.