Cultural Chef

KKV is Hiring!  

KKV was founded by community leaders in 1972 in response to a lack of health services for Kalihi's low income, largely-immigrant Asian and Pacific Islander residents. Together we work to advance health, to inspire healing, to foster reconciliation, and to celebrate abundance in the ahupua'a of Kalihi through strong relationships that honor culture and place.

Understanding health as wellbeing in the broadest sense, KKV pioneers holistic approaches to addressing the needs and aspirations of its culturally-rich community. KKV's 200+ staff care for more than 15,000 Kalihi residents a year in over 20 different languages and dialects from nine locations.   

In 2014, Kokua Kalihi Valley began a process to develop a new framework of health that accommodates the full spectrum of strengths, challenges, desires, and needs of the community. Through careful and continual listening and engagement, a more universal view of health and wellness is emerging centered around what matters to indigenous and island people. This view, named Pilinahā, looks at four vital connections that people seek in their lives: To your best self, to others, to place, and to past and future.   

KKV is recognized nationally as a leader in Social Determinants Of Health (SDOH) programming with a 50 year history of implementing innovative programs, and annually hosts hundreds of visitors and students interested in studying KKV's community-and culturally-based approach.  

In 2022, KKV won first place in the Innovations Showcase Competition put on by the Social Determinants of Health Academy. We were recognized for our Hui Hoaka Covid response program. Framed by indigenous Hawaiian values, the program has coordinated staff and volunteers from across KKV and the community to provide a broad array of support for patients and their family members. The program has been highly successful because of its effort to provide deep listening and culturally safe communication; to provide access to resources such as food, supplies, lāʻaulapaʻau, and economic support; and to collect stories and data that will aid KKV in improving care integration and establishingbest practices for SDOH services.

POSITION OPENINGS:  One part time position open (up to 32 hours a week). Salary commensurate with experience.

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for supporting all aspects of the ROOTS food program working in coordination with program staff to manage certified commercial kitchen food preparation; including Roots Cafe lunch service, community events, and food as medicine programs.  Contributes to building a healthy local food system for KKV staff, patients, and the Kalihi community. Must maintain philosophy of mālama ʻāina and ola kino, with the passion to use food to strengthen connections to land, culture, and our neighbors.

Special consideration given to multicultural/multilingual candidates and those with a connection to the ahupuaʻa of Kalihi.
Salary commensurate with experience. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Skills/Knowledge: Food preparation. Serve Safe Certified. or equivalent. Effective communication skills. Strong organizational skills.  Ability to work multi-cultural staff and client populations. 

  Experience with budget management. Knowledge of community resources.

• Education/Training: Good interpersonal communication skills.  Culinary degree or equivalent experience. Knowledge of Hawaiian cultural practices and working with the Hawaiian community.   

SCHEDULE: Up to 32 hours a week. Variable - Monday through Saturday in coordination with supervisor with consistent and predictable attendance.  

BENEFITS: For eligible staff (working over 20 hours a week)

• 4 Employer Sponsored Health Insurance Plans to choose from (2 Kaiser & 2 UHA):  KKV pays 100% of employee Medical Health Insurance Premium (single coverage) for the base UHA 3000 or KP 101 Plan Medical/ Dental/Vision/Drugs.    

• Generous Holiday Schedule: KKV observes all States Holidays (13 - 14 full days @ 8 hours per day and 2 half days @ 4 hours per day is paid)  

• Paid Time Off: Full Time staff accumulate 5.67 hours of PTO per pay period.PTO is paid out upon separation with company. 

• Retirement: KKV will contribute 8.5% of employee’s annual compensation toward Tax Sheltered Annuity after Employee has completed 2 eligible years of service (a minimum of 1000 hours of service each year). Employees are 100% vested in retirement plan.  

• Life Insurance Policy: KKV pays 100% for Employee Group Life and AD & D insurance of $50K coverage  

• Flexible Spending Plans: Employees of KKV will be able to participate in the KKV Cafeteria Plan (Medical Spending & Dependent Care) from the inception of employment.  

• Transportation Benefit: Eligible employees may receive a bus pass benefit after 3 month probation period. Employees will pay $25 and KKV will subsidize $65.  

• Bereavement Leave: After 3 month probation eligible employees can take paid time off for Bereavement Leave 24 hours where no travel is required, 40 hours for out of state travel.  

• Jury Duty: Time off for Jury duty: KKV will pay employees the difference between normal rate of pay and sum provided by the court for a maximum of 1 month.  

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: KKV is a qualifying employer for the PSLF and the Temporary Expanded PSLF program.  
• Lifestyle benefits in partnership with HR Symphony by Altres. 

 For any questions about this job ad please email JOBS@KKV.NET