Program Coordinator for Youth Culinary Job Training

Job Description

Team up with Bay Area/ NYC chefs and local youth advocates to equip youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement. Your role will in large part support the youth who apply for and enroll in Sprouts culinary internship and job placement program. You will oversee youth both in person and virtually in the greater Bay Area and NYC.

Chef Training Program Overview

We help Bay Area/ NYC youth experiencing hardship achieve stability and financial autonomy through life skills coaching and restaurant internships. Youth are paired with chef mentors and case managers to develop the skills needed to secure and maintain a culinary job. Since 2012, 180 youth have used their skills to get off the streets, pay for higher education, become chefs, access new professions, or support family members.

We believe in a nation where all youth have access to fulfilling career pathways.

Your Role

As a Program Coordinator of Sprouts Chef Training Program, you will help run our Bay Area/ NYC chef training program by working intimately with youth experiencing hardship, local mentor chefs, and youth success organizations. You will recruit for, onboard, and guide Chef Training interns through their life success journey. You will serve as a mentor, life guide, and cheerleader for youth as they complete their restaurant internships and transition out of the program. You will capture the impact and improve the programming through data and survey collection. You will also have the opportunity to recruit new chefs and referral organizations to partner with us!

Personal & Professional Growth

Both your personal life balance and professional growth are important to us. We believe that one needs to be fulfilled and happy in order to make a positive impact in the community. We will work closely with you to determine personal and professional goals and a timeline of action items so that you grow through your work within the community. You will enjoy autonomy as you work under the board’s visions and hand-in-hand with the Program Director and to make key decisions on the Chef Training strategic plan and impact goals. You will actively collaborate with team members including Sprouts’ Executive Director.

Skills and Requirements

Strong organizational skills; comfort with fast-past growth; good written and verbal communication; strong comfort with Google Drive; attention to detail; strong interpersonal skills; ability to manage youth in professional capacity; high energy; proven ability to take initiative; and ownership of tasks. 1+ year commitment to the role.

Sample Tasks:

• Communicate and build relationships with Chef Training partner restaurants and youth success organizations
• Research and solicit new case referral organization partners and restaurants to build new partnerships and keep Sprouts’ impact growing
• Serve as a liaison between youth and their mentor chefs to ensure there is clear communication, mutual respect, and interns are meeting program expectations
• Problem solve and actively suggest program improvements to improve efficiency of program processes
• Create, update, and manage the schedules and internship status of 25+ youth in the program
• Provide guidance and internship support to Chef Training interns (ages 16-28) through interviews, onboarding, check-in calls, and feedback 
• Set up interviews with the Chef trainees to write the inspiring stories of each youth that goes through the program 
• Coordinate with Sprouts’ volunteer photographers to schedule photoshoots of each intern at their host restaurant
• Coordinate with graduated interns to send updated career development resources and event invites
• Work alongside popular chefs and restaurants to place Chef Training interns and monitor their progress
• Incorporate feedback from Sprouts Executive Director and Sprouts board of advisors and Managers
• Be the Sprouts representative at tabling events and Career Fairs to get students excited about the internship opportunity and successfully onboard new applicants

Locations and Hours

Work hours: 40 hours per week, Bay Area or NYC-based

• Hours are flexible based on your preference and Chef Intern needs. 
• Intern interviews, recruitment fairs, and restaurant stage check-ins require some weekend availability. If local, you will travel to restaurants, schools, nonprofit offices in San Francisco and East Bay for events and meetings.

Commitments and Contract Period

• Starting Date Window: Late April to May, 2024
• This role involves in-person restaurant and youth meetings as well as remote office work and virtual youth interviews and check-ins.

Compensation

• $32/hr
• Paid Lunch, Paid Holidays + 2 weeks of Paid Vacation
• $150/month remote stipend

How to Apply:

We are eager to hear from you! Please send the following to sprouts@sproutscheftraining.org:

• Resume
• Cover letter that explains why your skill set, interests/goals, and past experiences are pertinent to the position
• Link to your LinkedIn profile

Finalist applicants will be asked to complete a brief trial assignment + team culture exercise.

The Vision

A nation where all youth have access to fulfilling career pathways.

The Mission

We equip youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement.

Core Beliefs

• Jobs change lives
• Kitchens heal
• It takes a village

Team Values

• Personal growth + self care
• All hands on deck
• Passion for changing youth's lives
• Thinking out of the box
• Initiative
• "Can do!" spirit