Assistant Chef

Community Partners in Action (CPA) is a renowned organization with nearly 150 years of history dedicated to criminal justice reform. CPA focuses on preserving the dignity of individuals both inside and outside the prison system through holistic programs such as reentry and housing support, youth initiatives, a nationally recognized Prison Arts Program, and alternatives to incarceration. With an annual reach of over 4,000 individuals across Connecticut, CPA's efforts are sustained by strong partnerships with government agencies, private funders, organizations, and businesses. The organization prides itself on fostering a workplace culture grounded in Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (BEDI) and is committed to creating a constructive impact on criminal justice reform, particularly to eliminate racial inequities and uphold the humanity of those impacted by the justice system. More about their BEDI philosophy is available on their website, reflecting a transparent and inclusive approach to organizational culture.

The Assistant Chef role at CPA’s REGIONS Staff Secure Residential Treatment Program in Hartford, CT, offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a specialized setting that cares for up to eight male youth. The program provides a therapeutic, home-like environment with a focus on trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and gender-specific treatment modalities designed to improve the social, emotional, and physical well-being of youth participants. The primary mission is to intervene early in the cycle of offending to reduce risk factors and prevent youth from entering the adult justice system. In this secure treatment setting, youth are supported to develop positive self-images and effective coping skills, build confidence, and learn to sustain behavioral improvements that facilitate successful community reintegration.

This role involves assisting the chef in planning and preparing approximately 200 healthy, home-like meals daily, ensuring that all food service operations meet strict health and safety regulations stipulated by the Department of Health and dietary guidelines set by licensed dietitians. The Assistant Chef is expected to maintain a high level of sanitation and fire safety standards while also providing vocational training to the youth in food service and safe food handling procedures, aligning with CPA's goal of equipping youth with practical skills.

CPA offers competitive hourly compensation of $23.66 per hour for this position, with weekday shifts from Tuesday to Saturday, 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The position requires flexibility for occasional work on weekends and holidays. The role demands strong interpersonal and organizational skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with multicultural populations, reflecting the program’s inclusive values. Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish are preferred but not mandatory. Employees benefit from health and dental insurance, 401k eligibility, life insurance, disability coverage at no cost, generous paid time off including vacation, personal, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. CPA emphasizes the importance of wellness initiatives and offers staff the chance to work within a dedicated team focused on systemic change and criminal justice reform.