AmeriCorps Culinary Apprentice

About SailFuture

SailFuture is a nonprofit organization in St. Petersburg, Florida, dedicated to helping youth who have experienced significant life challenges build meaningful, independent futures.

Through residential foster care, a private high school, workforce development, international sailing expeditions, and social enterprises, we provide young people with the relationships, education, and opportunities they need to achieve economic freedom.

Our Culinary Team plays a critical role in that mission. Every healthy meal prepared, catered event served, and product created helps provide exceptional nutrition to our students while generating revenue that directly supports scholarships and tuition assistance for students at SailFuture Academy.

More than a kitchen, our culinary enterprise is a mission-driven business that creates meaningful learning opportunities, strengthens our community, and helps sustain the life-changing work of SailFuture.

AmeriCorps Culinary Apprentice

The AmeriCorps Culinary Apprentice is a hands-on service position for individuals who want to build a career in the culinary and hospitality industry while making a meaningful impact in their community.

Working alongside experienced chefs and culinary professionals, apprentices help prepare approximately 600 nutritious school lunches each day, produce fresh baked goods for local businesses, and support catering events for community partners. Through this work, apprentices develop professional culinary skills while contributing to a mission that creates educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced kitchen, values teamwork, and wants to gain experience in high-volume food production, baking, catering, and commercial kitchen operations.

What You'll Learn

Throughout your AmeriCorps service, you'll gain practical experience in:

• Commercial food preparation and production

• High-volume school meal production

• Baking and pastry fundamentals

• Catering preparation and event execution

• Knife skills and food preparation techniques

• Food safety, sanitation, and HACCP principles

• Inventory management and product rotation

• Menu preparation and recipe execution

• Portion control and nutritional standards

• Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance

• Time management in a commercial kitchen

• Team communication and kitchen workflow

• Customer service and hospitality

• Professional kitchen organization and efficiency

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in preparing approximately 600 healthy school lunches each day for local students.

• Prepare ingredients, cook meals, and portion food according to established recipes and nutritional guidelines.

• Produce baked goods for local businesses and community partners.

• Support catering events through food preparation, packaging, setup, service, and cleanup.

• Maintain high standards of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen cleanliness.

• Operate commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.

• Receive, organize, and properly store food deliveries.

• Assist with inventory management and product rotation.

• Work collaboratively with chefs, staff, volunteers, and fellow AmeriCorps members.

• Maintain quality, consistency, and presentation standards across all food production.

• Represent SailFuture professionally while interacting with customers, vendors, and community partners.

• Contribute to a culinary enterprise that generates revenue supporting student tuition and educational programming at SailFuture Academy.

• Participate in AmeriCorps trainings, service projects, and professional development opportunities.

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements

• Be a United States citizen, United States national, or lawful permanent resident

• Be at least 17 years of age at the start of service

• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent

• Not have exceeded the maximum allowable AmeriCorps service terms

• Not be listed on any state or national sex offender registry

• Not have been convicted of murder, as defined in 18 U.S.C. §1111

Additional Program Qualifications

• Interest in culinary arts, baking, hospitality, or food service.

• Strong work ethic and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Positive attitude and commitment to service.

• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Compensation valued at $52,805 annually

• Living Allowance: $2,080

• $1,500 Max 401k Contribution per year

• $6910 annual health insurance plan

• $12,000 value: On-site room & board including a furnished room, utilities & food

• $7,395 Education award eligibility on completion of year

• Access to sailboats and kayaks during time off

• Clearwater Community Sailing Center Membership; includes the use of facility and equipment

• YMCA Gym Membership

TRAINING AND ORIENTATION

Members receive comprehensive training throughout the service term, including:

a) Initial Orientation

Orientation introduces SailFuture Fellowship culture, policies, prohibited activities, service expectations, and reporting requirements.

b) Program-Specific Training

Members receive training related to youth development, trauma-informed care, safety procedures, and service-site expectations.

c) Ongoing Training

Ongoing professional development and skill-building opportunities are provided to support effective service delivery.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

Service Assignment

AmeriCorps members will serve at approved SailFuture service sites in Saint Petersburg, FL. Members may serve in residential foster care programs, education settings, and workforce development initiatives supporting youth and families.

Supervision

Members are supervised by designated SailFuture staff and AmeriCorps Program Managers. Regular supervision meetings are held to review service progress, address challenges, and ensure compliance with program requirements.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Member to successfully perform the essential functions of service assignments.

• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance;stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear

• Occasionally required to sit

• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

• Must be able to wear protective equipment in compliance with general safety and food safety protocol

Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the term of service and be eligible for a Segal Education Award, the member must:

i) Complete the required number of service hours
ii) Participate in all required trainings and meetings
iii) Receive a satisfactory performance evaluation
iv) Comply with all program standards and policies

Employability

Members may not serve at a site with family members and may not be employed by the service site outside of AmeriCorps.

RESTRICTIONS AND COMPLIANCE

• All primary service activities must occur within the United States

• International travel or service is not part of the AmeriCorps service term

• International activities, if offered, are not federally funded and do not count toward service hours

• Members may not engage in prohibited political, religious, or lobbying activities while serving

• Members may not be employed by the service site outside of AmeriCorps during their term

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND REPORTING

Members are evaluated regularly on service quality, compliance, professionalism, and contribution to program outcomes. Accurate documentation of service hours and activities is required and must be verified by the designated supervisor.

DISCLAIMER

This position description reflects the general nature of service expected of AmeriCorps members in this role. Service activities may be modified to meet program needs while remaining compliant with AmeriCorps regulations.