Teaching Pastry Chef
17 days ago
Pittsburgh
Job Description Job Purpose: The Youth Pastry & Baking Instructor (Teaching Pastry Chef) works collaboratively with the Youth Development team to coordinate, plan, and implement hands-on baking and pastry instruction for youth ages 8–18. This role integrates culinary arts with life skills, emotional intelligence, and career exploration while ensuring a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed learning environment rooted in the Sanctuary Model’s Seven Commitments. We are seeking a creative, patient, and passionate Pastry Chef who can teach youth how to bake and prepare food from scratch, demonstrate fundamental techniques, develop seasonal curriculum, and foster a love for cooking while modeling nutritious, healthier alternatives. Position Summary: • Plans, coordinates, and delivers hands-on baking and pastry programming for youth ages 8–18; develops a seasonal, age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans (e.g., bread basics, pastry techniques, healthy desserts)., • Teaches youth how to make baked goods and other menu items from scratch;, • Demonstrates fundamental through advanced pastry techniques and leads engaging, inclusive hands-on labs that build confidence, creativity, and foundational skills; integrates nutrition, budgeting, entrepreneurship, and career exploration., • Builds supportive relationships with youth; uses baking as a tool for confidence-building, self-expression, and social-emotional learning; facilitates reflection and teamwork skill development., • Leads hands-on cooking and baking labs with a consistent focus on safety, sanitation, and foundational skills. Maintains a safe and sanitary kitchen environment;, • Manages inventory, ingredients, and equipment within budget; sources needed supplies; and supervises youth safely., • Prepares baked goods and other food items for special organization events, program showcases, and community engagement opportunities, as needed., • Collaborates with staff; tracks attendance and outcomes; completes documentation., • Integrates Sanctuary principles to promote social-emotional growth, teamwork, resilience, and enthusiasm for nutritious eating and healthier alternatives., • Actively participates in all required team meetings, trainings and supervisory sessions. Meets regularly with supervisor, communicates openly needs, concerns, and ideas; utilizes feedback given in supervisory sessions., • Performs in accordance with established system-wide competencies and receives satisfactory performance evaluations annually., • Performs other duties as assigned. Education: Culinary or pastry arts training through formal education (culinary diploma or equivalent) or comparable professional experience. Minimum 2–3 years of pastry/baking experience. Experience working with youth in afterschool, community-based, or educational settings and/or prior teaching experience strongly preferred. Licensure/Certification: Food safety knowledge required. ServSafe Certification preferred or willingness to obtain. Minimum Requirements: • Commitment to trauma-informed, gender-responsive youth development and passion for the organization’s mission., • Ability to engage diverse learning styles., • Creativity, patience, flexibility, and emotional intelligence., • Knowledge of inequity issues that impact girls and young women of color., • Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues that impact girls living in underserved, low socioeconomic areas., • Strong problem solving, interpersonal relationship and communications skills necessary., • Must be available to work evenings and some weekends when program activities are planned., • Valid PA driver’s license with excellent driving record, reliable vehicle, insurance 300/100,000 and registration required. Clearances Required: PA Act 33 (Child Abuse) / Act 34 (Criminal History) / Federal Criminal History Record (FBI Fingerprint) / National Sex Offender Registry Other Skills/Abilities: • Must demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the cultural diversity of clients, volunteers and staff throughout the provision of services., • Ability to make safe and appropriate decisions during times of crisis Work Environment: Works in an afterschool setting with adolescent girls with adverse backgrounds. Staff must be prepared to engage in verbal and physical interventions in the event of a crisis. Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching overhead, speaking, hearing, reading comprehension and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. General Requirements: 1) Afterschool and community-based program sites in kitchen and classroom settings; 2) Frequently required to work at a fast pace; 3) Requires considerable concentration and creativity; 4) Weekend and evening work may be required; 5) Some travel may be required.