Bilingual Chef Instructor (Part-Time)

New York City Bilingual Chef Instructor (

Are you a trained cook? Do you enjoy working with children and families? Do you speak Spanish fluently?

We are seeking a dynamic teacher-who-can-cook or cook-who-can-teach to work as a part-time Chef Instructor in New York City. A Common Threads Chef Instructor is the face of the organization, teaching hands-on cooking classes and nutrition education to 3rd-8th grade students, parents, and teachers in school kitchens and community spaces and establishing relationships with schools, students, families, and volunteers.

Chef Instructors will teach in in-person settings. Travel within the boroughs is required to partner schools and organizations.

All our student and adult programming consists of basic nutrition lessons, each with a recipe demo and tasting emphasizing fresh ingredients and adopting healthy cooking and eating habits. Hours will vary from week to week (0-12 hours but up to 20 hours per week during our busy season).

Responsibilities:

• Work with students in 3rd-8th grades and their parents, and manage a classroom of up to 20 participants and 4 volunteers.
• Teach kids and parents cooking skills and nutrition; give students the tools to make healthy choices.
• Communicate with school and partner organization staff and admin, as well as with Common Threads Program Managers and support staff
• Instructors will be trained on the curriculum, policies and procedures, and administrative responsibilities.
• Instructors are required to follow the approved course curriculum, complete all grocery shopping and submit required documentation
• Administer pre-and post-surveys to students and families and manage paperwork as needed
• Able to travel across all 5 boroughs of NYC; travel costs are reimbursed

The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions of this role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel occupying this position.

Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of nutrition
• Culinary school and/or food industry experience
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required. Must be fluent in Spanish and English and comfortable teaching in both languages as needed
• Experience teaching or working with children (preferred)
• Must have access to a car and a valid driver’s license OR be very comfortable using public transit
• Must hold current food service sanitation certifications or obtain within first 90 days of employment
• Reliable and dependable -- able to commit to programs, arrive on time, and proactively communicate any needs or issues
• Ability to be flexible with scheduling and possess a go-with-the-flow attitude
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate remotely with Common Threads staff and one-on-one with school administrators and support staff
• Instructors should be comfortable teaching in a virtual setting and must possess adequate technology for teaching a class, including high-speed Internet, a laptop/computer/digital tablet, camera, headphones/mic, etc.
• Experience working with culturally diverse audiences
• Experience and/or high comfort level working virtually with internal and external team members

Additional information:

• Payment is on a per lesson basis and scheduled based on partner site availability. Hours fluctuate throughout the year and no minimum number of hours are guaranteed.
• Common Threads employees are subject to a background check prior to employment
• Some nights and/or weekends may be required.
• Instructors are required to arrive at the class location one hour prior to class start time to prep for in-person programming. In the case of virtual classes, Instructors are required to adequately prepare for the class in their home kitchen; and to join the meeting ready to teach at least 5 minutes prior to class start time.
• On the rare occasion that an instructor is required to teach virtually, the instructor should be comfortable teaching in a virtual setting and must possess adequate technology for teaching a class such as a laptop/computer/digital tablet, camera, headphones/mic, etc.
• Position reports to the NYC Nutrition Education Manager

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation rates for in-person classes include:

• Cooking Skills & World Cuisine and Family Cooking Classes: $200 per class (approx. 6 hours, including prep and clean-up)
• Caregiver Workshops: $75 (approx. 2 hours, including prep and clean-up)
• $20/hour for administrative duties (i.e., training, attending meetings)
• Chef instructors are Common Threads employees eligible for paid sick time and access to the resources within the Employee Assistance Program.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use close vision, distance vision, and be able to adjust focus; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

About Common Threads:

Common Threads is a national leader in nutrition security - championing improved community health through the power of nutrition and food. For over two decades, Common Threads has been providing nutrition education, culinary skills training, and food access, all key nutrition security fundamentals, in an effort to both prevent and treat diet-related illness. In today’s society, the role that nutrition plays in overall health, as well as the importance of the culture of food itself (i.e. preparing, sharing, and community) in relation to well-being, is neglected, and Common Threads tackles those issues head on.

Operating in-person and digitally, Common Threads’ programs can be found in schools across the country, including the nation’s four largest public-school districts (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami), as well as community organizations, medical institutions, and universities - with a priority impact focus on marginalized communities. To date the organization has established partnerships with over 2,200 schools, provided more than 5 million meals, and forged a pathway for long-term nutritional health for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit commonthreads.org.

Common Threads’ EEO Statement: 

Common Threads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Common Threads complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Common Threads expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Common Threads’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

How to apply: 

If you think you meet these qualifications, we’d like to meet you! Submit your application at www.commonthreads.org/careers. Your application must include a resume and cover letter with salary requirements. No phone calls, please. No third-party firms.