Culinary Instructor

Job Title: Culinary Instructor

Reports to: Director of Workforce Development

Type: Full-Time

Category: Workforce

Background on UTEC, Inc.

UTEC's promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC's outcomes-focused model begins with intensive street outreach, reaching proven high-risk youth where they're at. UTEC engages youth in workforce development and educational programs and provides mental health services and intensive case management. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming. For more info, please visit

UTEC is committed to its vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which pledges to honor the lived experiences and expertise of individuals; create community and celebration of cultures; challenge all forms of oppression; and embody a culture that leans into discomfort and recognizes it as a growth opportunity. UTEC is dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practice, the health, mental health, and overall well-being of young adults and staff and to creating an environment that supports work-life balance and the individual and professional growth of all.

Job Summary

The Culinary Instructor at UTEC is a member of UTEC's Education team. The position supports proven-risk young adults, aged 17-25, as they learn the basic skills of culinary arts, catering, and food service in UTEC's kitchen. Seventy-five percent of the position will be hands-on, coaching and supervising young adults in the kitchen, while 25% of the position will be dedicated to planning, collaborating and meeting with other staff within the organization, and data entry. The ideal candidate is passionate about food service and youth work, and s/he is able to blend the demands of a business with the tenets of a positive youth development approach. The Culinary Arts Instructor works closely with the Culinary Enterprise Program Manager, Director of Food Enterprises, transitional coaches, and academic educators and reports to the Director of Workforce.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises and supports up to (3) classes of 6-8 young adults in the kitchen

Duties/Responsibilities

Implements a curriculum of basic culinary skills that includes, but is not limited to: work skills, culinary arts, food preparation, and safety through on-the-job work. Training leads to young adult Serve Safe and Allergen certification and ensures the young adult capacity to progress on to UTEC programming into UTEC's social enterprises.

Exemplifies youth work best practices to young adults and colleagues

Completes performance reviews for all young adults in programming; communicates progress to young adults through performance review and check-in meetings

Teaches and enforces basic standards of safety and use of kitchen equipment

Coaches and encourages positive young adult progress and upholds program expectations

Works in tandem with other UTEC departments and programs, including HiSET and Case Management, to best support young adults involved in the program

Manages young adult attendance, daily activities, and enters data into ETO, UTEC's performance management database

Supports with the preparation of menus and food production for UTEC young adult lunch meal served Monday-Thursday in collaboration with young adults enrolled in culinary

Supports the development of young adults so that they can progress to the next stages of the program and eventually complete the program

Builds and implements culinary, social-emotional, and social justice curricula to support the development of young adults towards personal and career goals

Maintains a positive work environment with high standards in quality food preparation, cleanliness, and skill development

Required Skills/Abilities

Experience developing lesson plans and an understanding of group dynamics

Experience developing hands-on and engaging learning experiences

Understanding of young adult development required; prior experience with high-risk young adults preferred

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Ability to build relationships with both program participants and colleagues

Knowledge of career readiness skills, workforce programs, or social enterprises

Knowledge of and experience in teaching social-emotional skills with an anti-racist lens

Strong knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks and/or practices

Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree preferred by not required

At least 1 year of working with young adults (17-25) required; 3 or more years of experience strongly preferred

At least 2 years of working in culinary arts and/or the foodservice industry; management experience preferred

Experience with justice-involved youth preferred

Experience with operational duties pertaining to running a program preferred

Prior experience supervising youth or training staff preferred

Must have a vehicle; reliable access to a vehicle is a job requirement

Bilingual/bicultural preferred

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Able to travel as needed.

Salary range is $55,000-$60,000, commensurate with experience. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 3 weeks of vacation plus a week off between the Christmas and New Year holidays, 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, and 3 bereavement days, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one. We also offer life insurance, first-time homeowners down payment assistance, cost-of-living increases, a paid sabbatical after three years, and a 401K retirement plan with up to $2,000 savings match. See more about our benefits here.

UTEC 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, UTEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where 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.