ABOUT RECOVERY CAFÉ

We are a community of individuals who have been traumatized by homelessness, addiction and other mental health challenges coming to know we are loved and that we have gifts to share.

To create a safe community in which all are valued, we will strive to:

Connect with divine Love in ourselves and others

Show respect

Cultivate compassion

Practice forgiveness

Encourage growth

Give back

Recovery Café was founded on the truth that every human being is precious and beloved regardless of past trauma, mental and emotional anguish, addictive behaviors or mistakes made. We provide a beautiful, safe, warm, drug-and-alcohol-free space and loving community to anchor Café Members in the sustained recovery needed to gain and maintain access to housing, social and health services, healthy relationships, education, and employment. Our program is designed to help people maintain recovery, reduce relapse and fulfill their potential.

THE JOB

Under the direction of the South Lake Union Operations Manager, the Recovery Specialist ensures the Café community is one that embraces, promotes and maintains a stance of radical hospitality in the context of loving accountability. This person is dedicated to providing a safe and secure space for individuals to be known, heard, and supported while developing the tools necessary for sustainable recovery. This person provides direct service to Members and Community Volunteers and works with a team of full-time and on-call floor staff. This position will have a special focus on supporting the meal program, to include preparing, cooking, serving and all other aspects of our meal program.

PRIMARY DUTIES

Helping to prepare, cook, serve and clean up meals. The South Lake Union site (2022 Boren Ave) serves lunch (12:30pm to 3pm) and dinner (5:00pm to 6pm) Tuesday through Saturday.At times, as many as 100 people will be fed during the lunch hour.
Support the Kitchen Manager in ensuring food inventory is up to date, safely kept and in keeping with Recovery Café’s commitment to serving nourishing meals.
Support the Kitchen Manager in teaching Members and community volunteers exemplary food preparation techniques as well as food safety.
Work with other team members to actively participate in direct service:
- Serve as a primary presence on Café floor and perform front door operations
- Facilitate Recovery Circles
- Provide resource access assistance to Members
- Respond to requests from Members and Community Volunteers for external communication support, e.g. community service hours, circle attendance
Front Door Operations include:
- Embody our core values through radical hospitality
- Ensure accurate tracking of Member and Community Volunteer data
- Update and stock front door materials (e.g. weekly calendar, first aid)
- Manage Member messages and communication to the team
- Ensure accurate tracking of community service hours
- Utilize AGENCY database for Member data and service entry and reports
Assist with administrative tasks as assigned
Assist with ordering or pick up of donations as assigned
Ensure the Café remains clean and beautiful, assisting with daily set up and clean up
Train other staff, Members, and Community Volunteers in all aspects of floor work with a teaching style based on the loving philosophy of the Café.
Identify, empower and mentor Members, staff, and Community Volunteers into Café leadership and deeper community engagement, which may include:
- Training others on the team to do the same
- Facilitating staff and Member consultation meetings
- Becoming trained as a Recovery Coach (CCAR) and Trainer
This person may be asked at times to be at our SODO site (4202 6th Ave S.) to help with staff coverage or special events.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

2-5 years progressively responsible work experience utilizing skills relevant to this position, especially with food preparation, service and clean up.
A strong desire to support others on the recovery journey with compassion
Able to support and motivate all pathways of recovery
A personal understanding of the recovery journey (not necessarily from substance use).
Must have strong interpersonal skills, to include:
- a commitment to teamwork
- ability to work amicably on a diverse team with flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm
- ability to establish and maintain appropriate relationship boundaries
- ability to motivate others
Must have the ability to de-escalate interpersonal conflict and other difficult situations in a context of loving accountability
Must have strong communication skills
- ability to represent Recovery Café services to Members, other agencies and visitors both orally and in writing
- ability to communicate effectively via email
Strong organizational skills including time management and team utilization
Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and perform many different tasks to support the operations team
Proficiency in basic computer skills and ability to utilize Microsoft Word and Excel
A valid driver’s license
WA State Food Handler’s Permit (or eligibility to obtain a permit)
Ability to lift 50 pounds
Non-slip, toe-enclosed shoes
This position will serve a significant amount of time in the kitchen

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

Experience in social services addressing addiction and other mental health concerns
Drug/Alcohol Counseling or education in Human Services (e.g. Chemical Dependency)
Bi-lingual proficiency in Spanish and English

Why Should You Apply?

Be part of our movement to support effective, compassionate communities of radical hospitality around the country helping to heal the world.
Join a team of fun, caring, collaborative, and respectful people who enjoy working together and accomplishing extraordinary things.
Recovery Café is invested in the personal and professional growth of everyone in our community.
Recovery Café is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that values justice.

Recovery Cafe/RC Network

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Recovery Specialist - Kitchen Focus