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People Assisting The Homeless (PATH)

Delivers housing-first homelessness services and housing

Head Chef

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$80.1k - $98.5k/yr
Senior
Santa Ana, CA, USA
In PersonWork must be performed within California; the role is not fully remote.
Food Service & HospitalityFood & Beverage Operations Management
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards.
  • Have a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals with urgent and multiple case management and health needs.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office software, particularly Word and Excel.
  • Possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop successful and positive relationships with individuals at all organization levels.
  • Have five years of relevant experience in the culinary field and one year leading a team in a culinary capacity.
  • Have a current Managerial Food Handling certificate.
  • Have employment eligibility verification.
  • Be able and willing to obtain CPR/First Aid training.
  • Successfully complete a tuberculosis test, background screening, and drug test as a condition of hire.
  • Have reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and ownership for personal vehicles used during work duties, and the ability to qualify for PATH's insurance coverage.
  • Be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not available.
  • Not be currently receiving services from PATH or have received services within the past two years.
Responsibilities
  • Provide direct supervision to all culinary staff, including Kitchen Associates, Lead Cooks, and Sous Chefs, and coordinate schedules for kitchen staff and volunteers.
  • Plan, set, and adjust workload assignments and schedules for work completion, and ensure adherence to work and time schedules.
  • Provide necessary support to volunteers to ensure they have a valuable experience.
  • Promote and follow established interim housing values, guidelines, and rules.
  • Model and promote a professional and welcoming team culture for interim housing guests, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
  • Meet with guests with medical dietary restrictions to establish menu plans.
  • Help create and post monthly menus.
  • Assist with monitoring kitchen costs, including labor, food, supplies, and equipment.
  • Help ensure inventories are maintained.
  • Review Health Department reports with the Head Chef and Sous Chef and assist with correcting violations.
  • Coordinate and maintain relationships with kitchen vendors and donors.
  • Coordinate food donations, including assisting with pickups and drop-offs as necessary.
  • Ensure the kitchen is maintained to Health Department code and PATH standards.
  • Set standards for kitchen sanitation and cleanliness.
  • Ensure equipment is maintained in proper sanitary and operating condition.
  • Coordinate maintenance activities such as hood exhaust cleanings, oil waste pickups, and propane gas fills.
  • Coordinate with PATH's facilities team for repairs and other maintenance.
  • Work with the Head Chef and Sous Chef to ensure meals are prepared following Health Department code and served at appropriate times and temperatures.
  • Assist with daily taste tests to ensure meals are palatable, appetizing in appearance, and meet PATH standards.
Desired Qualifications
  • Seven years of relevant experience in the culinary field and three years leading a team in a culinary capacity.

About the company

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People Assisting The Homeless (PATH)

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PATH is a California nonprofit that fights homelessness by offering housing-centered services. It operates a network of agencies providing street outreach, emergency and transitional housing, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, housing navigation, employment services, eviction prevention, veteran programs, and health-system care coordination. PATH Ventures, the nonprofit real estate arm, develops and manages affordable and supportive housing and reinvests revenue into mission work, having built about 2,500 homes. The organization works across 100+ locations in Southern and Northern California and is funded by foundations, corporate grants, individual donations, and government partnerships, using the Housing First approach to secure permanent housing with supportive services.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Los Angeles, California

Founded

1984

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Los Angeles County awarded PATH Ventures $10 million for Windsor Hills on February 4, 2026.
  • Orange County approved PATH's $45 million shelter contract on March 23, 2026.
  • PATH announced a September 14, 2026 veteran housing opening in National City.

What critics are saying

  • Orange County faulted PATH for missing permanent-housing goals since 2022.
  • The May 2026 fentanyl case around a former employee damages government trust.
  • Government funding provided 94% of 2025 revenue; contract losses threaten solvency.

What makes People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) unique

  • PATH Ventures pairs housing development with on-site services across California.
  • On July 1, 2026, PATH became Orange County's CES lead agency.
  • PATH runs Housing First programs at more than 100 California locations.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan