Job Description

Food Service Worker – Residential Youth Services

Wimauma, FL (Lake Parish Youth Academy)

Department: Food Services

Job Type: Full Time

Pay: $19.00 / Hour

About Youth Opportunity & Lake Parish Youth Academy

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health services for youth. We are committed to providing trauma-informed care, structured support, and individualized services that help young people build stability, develop life skills, and prepare for their next steps.

Our programs are designed to create safe, supportive, and highly structured environments where youth receive consistent guidance, education, behavioral health support, and opportunities for personal growth. Team members play an important role in helping youth develop positive coping skills, strengthen social and independent living skills, and work toward successful outcomes.

At Youth Opportunity, we believe meaningful change happens through connection, consistency, and care. Every role contributes to creating an environment where youth feel supported, challenged, and encouraged as they move forward.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with Immediate Vesting
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays – earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period
• Free RX delivery on most medications
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment

About the Role

Youth Opportunity is seeking a dependable and compassionate Food Service Worker to join the team at Osceola Youth Center. This role is responsible for helping prepare and serve meals in accordance with approved menus, recipes, and food safety standards while maintaining a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment. The Food Service Worker plays an important part in supporting the daily well-being of youth by ensuring meals are prepared with care, consistency, and attention to quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare food items according to menus, recipes, and production schedules
• Observe all quality assurance, sanitation, and safety standards during food preparation and service
• Review menus and production sheets for substitutions and preparation needs
• Cook soups, meat or alternate entrée items, vegetables, desserts, and other menu items as assigned
• Set up pass-through windows as needed for meal service
• Prepare desserts or breads needed for the following day
• Properly store, label, and date leftover food in accordance with health and safety standards
• Wash cooking utensils, including pots and pans, as needed
• Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen by practicing clean-as-you-go procedures
• Clean work areas after each task to promote safety and efficiency

Other Duties Include

• Participate in training and development activities as required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Must be able to read and use math at a level sufficient to prepare food from recipes and instructions
• ServSafe certification strongly preferred
• Ability to obtain ServSafe certification may be required based on state contractual requirements
• Six months of experience in volume cookery strongly preferred
• Experience with food preparation techniques, sanitation practices, and kitchen safety procedures required
• Commercial or institutional kitchen experience preferred
• Must be able to read recipes and perform mathematical calculations for proper portions and inventory control
• Basic knowledge of nutritional and sanitary guidelines in food preparation and meal delivery required

Physical Demands

• Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable
• Able to actively engage with youth, participate in physical interventions, and transport youth or staff as needed
• Must be free of communicable diseases as defined by the state
• Must pass evaluation of physical techniques and certification exams

Other Requirements

• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods
• Must be able to regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds while stocking shelves and pulling food for preparation
• Must maintain a valid state driver’s license
• Must meet all state criminal background check requirements

Apply Today

Join a team committed to creating safe, supportive environments where youth can grow and succeed. Apply today to become a Food Service Worker with Youth Opportunity Investments at Osceola Youth Center.

Youth Opportunity Investments is an Equal Opportunity Employer.