Culinary Instructor & Program Coordinator

Join CASL as a Culinary Instructor & Program Coordinator and Make a Difference 

What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the table that would help you inspire and empower students in our Culinary Training Program? 

Your Mission: 

As a Culinary Instructor & Program Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in empowering individuals with the culinary and vocational skills they need to succeed. This dynamic role requires flexibility, as you will manage program activities, events, and student engagement, sometimes outside of standard working hours. By leading hands-on culinary training, guiding students in nutrition and dietary principles, and facilitating job readiness, you will directly contribute to improving the lives of our community members. Your role combines culinary instruction with program coordination, event management, and career counseling to help students achieve industry certifications and secure meaningful employment. You will be instrumental in shaping the success of the Culinary Training Program (CTP) and supporting the broader goals of the Food & Nutrition Program. 

About CASL: 

The Chinese American Service League is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering and serving the Chinese American population and the broader communities. Established with a rich history spanning several decades, CASL has consistently evolved to address the evolving needs of its constituents while fostering cultural pride, integration, and community development. 

For over 45 years, CASL's comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals with the vital support they need: providing an educational and cultural foundation for our children, ensuring our seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow's workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, securing our community's housing and financial well-being, navigating healthcare systems and wellness resources, and providing equal access to justice. Since our founding, CASL has been rooted in the principles of equity and justice. That legacy continues to shape our efforts today as we strive to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at all levels of the organization.  

To hear about: 

CASL's history, watch here 

CASL's future, watch here 

Your Impact: 

As a Culinary Instructor & Program Coordinator, you will: 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Deliver engaging, hands-on culinary training classes, including a nutrition-based curriculum, in partnership with the Adult Employment Team, ensuring consistent alignment with program goals and student progress. 
• Develop and teach vocational English lessons focused on industry-specific terminology and communication skills, preparing students for success in culinary careers, with the goal of achieving language proficiency benchmarks. 
• Assess student progress through pre- and post-program evaluations, including culinary skills and dietary assessments, and provide actionable feedback to improve student outcomes. 
• Guide students through earning their ServSafe certification, providing coaching and instruction, with the expectation of a 90% certification success rate. 

• Lead collaboration with the Chef Coordinator and CTP students to plan and oversee culinary events, including bake sales, staff lunches, and community engagements, ensuring timely execution and achievement of event objectives. 
• Coordinate catering for special events, ensuring menus align with dietary needs and preferences, and evaluate participant satisfaction and event outcomes. 
• Manage kitchen scheduling and supply ordering in partnership with the Chef Coordinator and Food Service Supervisor, ensuring efficient use of resources and on-time delivery of program activities. 

• Work with Employment Counselors and the Social Benefit & Employment Coordinator to recruit students, assess proficiency, and evaluate job readiness. 
• Assist in identifying job leads for graduates and collaborate with Job Developers to provide employment opportunities, tracking placement rates and ensuring alignment with industry demand. 

• Maintain accurate student records and track progress using Salesforce and other tracking systems, ensuring data integrity and timely updates for program reporting. 
• Prepare reports and documentation required by funders and the organization, ensuring compliance with deadlines and reporting standards. 
• Conduct Social Determinants of Health surveys to measure client progress, providing regular feedback to leadership on client outcomes and program impact. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Nutrition, or a related field
• A minimum of 5–10 years of professional cooking experience, including leadership roles in kitchen management or culinary instruction. 
• Current Sanitation License (e.g., ServSafe certification) required. 
• Prior teaching or training experience is a strong advantage. 

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds. 
• Proficiency in English required, with second language proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese). 
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and best practices, with the ability to guide students through certification processes (e.g., ServSafe). 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities, from teaching to program coordination and administrative tasks. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel), data entry and web navigation 
• Basic understanding of Salesforce or similar data management systems is a plus, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software systems as needed for program tracking and coordination. 

• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, with occasional lifting or moving of objects weighing in excess of 20 pounds. 
• Required to travel by vehicle to deliver meals with drivers.   

• Work is performed during program hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm or 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, with flexibility to work additional hours in the evenings or weekends, as necessary. 
• Work environment includes a commercial kitchen with heat, noise, and humidity, requiring quick decision-making and the ability to multitask under time constraints. 

Why Choose CASL: 

Inclusivity: Join an organization that values mutual respect and acceptance, fostering a culture of inclusivity. 

Empowerment: Support staff empowerment through skill development and growth opportunities. 

Collaboration: Be part of a workplace that thrives on collaboration and teamwork. 

Transformation: Envision and realize transformative changes in people, processes, and policies. 

Resiliency: Work with a dynamic workforce and model resiliency to achieve collective strengths. 

Benefits: 

Join CASL and unlock a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones. As a full-time employee, you'll enjoy a range of options tailored to your needs: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage; Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA); Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Disability Insurance; Voluntary Worksite Benefits, Pet Insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  

Additionally, our holiday schedule includes New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Chinese New Year, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day,  Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, the Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day. 

Join Us and Make a Difference: 

Join us at CASL, where together, we create a brighter future for our community. 

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Each resume is reviewed personally by our dedicated team members, not AI. This thorough and thoughtful evaluation process may take a bit of time, so we kindly ask for your patience. Rest assured, we will get back to you as soon as we have an update on your application status. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reviewing your application. 

At CASL, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive success. If you're excited about the opportunity but unsure if you meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to submit your application. Our company culture thrives on the unique talents and experiences that each individual brings to the table. We're looking for the right fit, and that goes beyond a checklist of qualifications. Join us in shaping a dynamic and inclusive team where your skills and contributions truly matter. 

CASL is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.