Kitchen Assistant

Kitchen Assistant – Cuan An Chlair Day Centre, Ennis on a part-time permanent basis.

Location: On site / Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland

Job type: Permanent / Part-Time

Sector and subsector: Voluntary/Charity | General

Annual Fixed Salary: € 22729.00

Clarecare is a professional social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of people centred social services to individuals and families in County Clare for over 57 years. Current services provided include Family Support, Elderly Care Services, Counselling and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre.

Clarecare’s headquarters are based in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon.  Clarecare is supported by a partnership with TUSLA, Health Service Executive, other Government Departments, by charitable funding and by the Diocese of Killaloe. 

JOB DESCRIPTION – KITCHEN ASSISTANT – CUAN AN CHLAIR OVER 65’S CLUB, CAHERCALLA, ENNIS, CO CLARE

TITLE: Kitchen Assistant - Part-time Permanent role

ROLE: 

Working under the guidance of the Day Centre Cook, ensure that the Kitchen is clean and operational. Assist the Cook with the preparation, cooking of meals for clients of the Cuan An Chlair Day Centre, Cahercalla, Ennis. 

OBJECTIVE: to assist with the delivery of a Day Centre Service in Cuan An Chlair, Cahercalla, Ennis for up to 60 older persons.

JOB RELATIONS: The Kitchen Assistant will report to the Day Centre Manager and work closely on a day to day basis with the Cook and all other Day Centre staff. The Kitchen Assistant will also be part of the wider Older Persons Services Team in Clarecare.

JOB LOCATION: The part-time permanent position offered is currently based in Cahercalla, but location may change based on operational requirements. Remote/Hybrid Working does not apply to this role.

HOURS OF WORK: 30 hours per week from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. inclusive of a 30 mins. paid break. Days of work are Monday to Friday per week. Flexibility is required regarding your hours of work.

ANNUAL LEAVE: 26 days leave (@ 6 hours per day) per full leave year (Jan-Dec).

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:

General Responsibilities:

• To report to the Day Centre Manager in Clarecare or designate. On a day to day basis, follow tasks/instructions given by the Cook to assist in the daily running of the Kitchen.
• To adhere to Clarecare policies and procedures in relation to your work with Clarecare.
• Ability to maintain the principles of confidentiality in all areas of work.
• To assist with the maintaining of files/paperwork in accordance with Clarecare standards in order to ensure that good record keeping practices are in place.
• To work as part of the wider Clarecare Structure.
• To support the work of staff, volunteers, students and others involved in Clarecare.
• To attend supervision sessions with your Line Manager.
• To maintain professional boundaries in all work with clients, staff, volunteers, external suppliers, etc.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned to you by your Line Manager or designate.
• Attend team meetings in connection with Day Care Centre.
• Attend all mandatory training as advised by Clarecare.
• Attend other meetings as necessary.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Excellent presentation skills i.e. report for duty in the correct uniform as required by the Service, paying particular attention to personal hygiene.
• To perform whatever duties the Cook and/or Day Centre Co-ordinator assign to you.
• To be familiar with the menu of the day and know your responsibilities in accordance with the menu.
• Washing, peeling, chopping, cutting and cooking foodstuffs and helping to prepare salads, hot meals, and desserts in line with food hygiene regulations e.g.HACCP.
• To assist with serving food.
• In the absence of the Cook on annual leave, etc, deputise for him/her i.e. carry out the duties of the Cook including the planning and preparation of meals toensure the smooth running of the Kitchen within the Day Centre.
• Ensure that the daily Food allergens are displayed and recorded correctly in line with the daily menu.·
• To maintain the highest level of sanitation in the kitchen - ensuring the food preparation areas are clean and hygienic - washing kitchen appliances, worksurfaces, floors and walls. Sweeping/mopping floors, hose out food and bottle bins, emptying bins when full etc.
• To provide wash-up services in the kitchen ensuring that all pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware and any other kitchen equipment iswashed, dried and stored correctly and neatly.
• Using a variety of kitchen equipment such as mixers, special knives and cutters safely.
• Assisting with deliveries and organising the storeroom - sorting, storing and distributing ingredients.
• The Kitchen working environment will often be hot, busy and noisy. You must have the ability to work in such an environment.
• Organising linen laundry as directed by the cook. 
• To set up workstations with the necessary ingredients and cooking equipment.
• To ensure all food and other items are stored properly.
• Report any defects on items delivered immediately to the Cook and/or Day Centre Co-ordinator.
• Assess the condition of food.
• To wear personal protective equipment (PPE) both within the kitchen environment and when cleaning windows/canopies/walls or segregating bottles/cardboardor working in the grounds area.
• Ensure all kitchen work areas are free from rubbish and are swept and cleaned daily/weekly.
• Ability to listen and carry out tasks quickly and competently.
• Ability to understand instructions quickly and follow them closely.
• Well-developed communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• A good understanding of the importance of health and hygiene in a working environment.
• A great team player.
• Any other relevant duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION:

Essential Requirements:·

• Minimum of 1 year’s continuous employment in a similar role working in a kitchen environment.
• Ability to cook meals for up to 30 service users during periods of Cook’s annual leave/other leave.
• Ability to work with older people in a professional capacity with a keen understanding of their needs.
• Excellent time keeping, communication, organisation and interpersonal skills with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team in a fast-pacedworking environment.
• A positive ‘fit to work’ medical.
• A positive Garda Vetting disclosure through Clarecare.
• Two positive written employment references from your current and most recent employer.
• A knowledge of the work & ethos of Clarecare.
• Interest in the issues arising for older people and a desire to work with older people.

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working in a restaurant/canteen/industrial kitchen desirable.
• Ideally have HACCP completed - or willing to complete.
• FETAC Level 5 qualification in Care of the Older Person and/or Care Skills.
• Knowledge of Food Safety in relation to Allergens.
• Knowledge of Catering equipment would be an advantage.
• Valid Manual Handling completed - or willing to complete.
• Culinary Skills – course or training.
• Full driving licence.

SALARY/GRADE:

• €14.57 gross per hour worked equating to a part-time gross salary of €22,734.34 gross per annum, which is subject to the normal statutory deductions i.e.PAYE/PRSI/USC. This gross hourly rate of pay will increase by a further 2% on 1st April 2026 and a further 2% on 1st October 2026 pending receipt of funding for same. This however, should not be interpreted as being indicative of any additional salary increases into the future, beyond the above stated terms.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership on successful completion of 6 month’s probation. Defined Contribution Pension Scheme Membership onsuccessful completion of probation (6 months). “My Future Fund” Government Pension Scheme during the 1st 6 months of probation at 1.5% of salary deductionby employee, matched by Clarecare and 0.5% contribution from Government.
• Access to full terms of Clarecare’s Sick Pay Scheme on successful completion of probation (6 months duration).
• Ongoing Training & Development and In-house supervision by Line Manager.
• Financial support for CPD/Further Training & Development as approved by your Line Manager.
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme Services via VHI.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.