Operations Specialist

Operations SpecialistLocation: Richmond, INEmployees at Damar aren't just part of a workforce — they're part of a mission-driven team making a real difference in people's lives. Since 1967, Damar has been recognized across Indiana as one of the largest not-for-profit organizations and a leading provider of behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) services. We foster a united, purpose-driven culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to give their best.

It's no surprise Damar has been named a Top Workplace for several years!Ready to make a real difference? Join us in empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism. We are currently seeking a talented, motivated and detail oriented individuals to join our highly skilled team.

The Operations Specialist provides hands-on operational support with primary responsibility for daily food and nutrition operations at the Damar East campus, including food preparation, reheating, portioning, meal service, special diets, sanitation, and required documentation. As part of Damar East's integrated operations team, the position also supports environmental services, facility readiness, inventory, and basic maintenance coordination as assigned. The Operations Specialist works under the direction of the Operations Manager and collaborates with Indianapolis based support teams, Damar East leadership, vendors, and service partners to provide safe, timely, accurate, and client-centered services.Here are just a few of the benefits you'll enjoy at Damar:Eligible for the Damar Advantage including discounts at Damar Health Services and Damar PharmacyComprehensive training in verbal intervention and physical management techniquesMedical, Dental, and Vision Insurance optionsUp to $3,000 per year in Tuition AssistanceSave for your retirement with our 401(k) Plan ParticipationTake care of loved ones through our Damar provided Life Insurance and additional voluntary optionsShort-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance optionsPaid Holidays to spend time with loved onesPaid Time Off (PTO) for rest and renewalRemarkable ways you will be making a difference:Performs assigned food preparation, cooking, reheating, holding, portioning, and meal service duties according to approved menus, recipes, production records, meal counts, diet instructions, and supervisor directionReviews meal counts and production information to ensure adequate and accurate preparation of meals, snacks, beverages, and supplemental itemsSupports the safe and accurate preparation of regular meals, special diets, texture-modified meals, allergen-controlled meals, and medically tailored mealsVerifies food quality, portion size, temperature, appearance, and accuracy before meals are served or distributedAssists with receiving, loading, unloading, organizing, transporting, and distributing food, meal carts, snacks, beverages, and operational suppliesMaintains safe food temperatures during receiving, storage, preparation, holding, transport, and serviceCompletes required records, including temperature logs, production records, cleaning records, receiving records, inventory sheets, and meal-count documentationLabels, dates, stores, rotates, and disposes of food and supplies according to established procedures and FIFO practicesCleans and sanitizes equipment, utensils, preparation surfaces, carts, service areas, floors, storage areas, and other assigned spacesFollows established requirements for food safety, sanitation, handwashing, personal hygiene, allergen control, chemical use, and cross-contamination preventionAssists with opening, closing, end-of-shift cleaning, and preparation for future meal serviceMonitors food, beverage, paper, cleaning, and operational supplies and communicates shortages, damaged products, or ordering needs to the Operations ManagerAssists with assigned environmental services duties in kitchen, dining, service, storage, restroom, common, office, and other designated campus areasPerforms routine cleaning tasks, including wiping surfaces, sweeping, mopping, emptying trash, restocking supplies, and cleaning high-touch areasSupports room setup, breakdown, supply distribution, and operational preparation for meetings, client activities, special events, and campus programsConducts basic visual checks of assigned kitchen, service, storage, common, and operational areas to help maintain a safe and ready campus environmentIdentifies and reports equipment failures, plumbing concerns, lighting issues, temperature concerns, damaged fixtures, safety hazards, and other facility needsAssists with communicating and following up on work-order requests and provides basic operational information to maintenance staff or approved vendors as directedPerforms basic non-technical facility support tasks and does not perform electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, or other specialized maintenance work unless trained and authorizedCross-trains and assists with foodservice, environmental services, stocking, delivery, campus-readiness, and other operational assignments based on daily needsWorks collaboratively and interacts respectfully and professionally with clients, families, staff, visitors, vendors, and other stakeholdersAttends required meetings and training, completes incident reporting and mandatory documentation, and follows all Damar policies and safety expectationsPerforms other duties as assignedWhat you need to be considered:Prior experience in a commercial or institutional kitchen strongly preferredExperience with food preparation, meal service, sanitation, inventory management, receiving, and recordkeeping preferredExperience with special diets, allergen awareness, food safety, and regulatory requirements preferredExperience supporting environmental services, housekeeping, facility readiness, or basic maintenance coordination preferredExperience working in a healthcare, residential, school, behavioral health, or human services environment preferredServSafe certification required or must be obtained within 18 months of hireMust complete required training in food safety, sanitation, allergen awareness, special diets, cleaning procedures, and chemical safetyMust maintain all required continuing education, certifications, and department-related training requirements as applicableAbility to pass and maintain CPR CertificationMinimum age of 21 per licensure requirementsMust meet and maintain background screening requirements for all Damar programs as detailed in policy 1.HR.02Pre-Employment and Employee Background ChecksValid Indiana driver's license and driving record that meets eligibility requirements of Damar's insurance carrier (for all positions requiring driving)Successful completion of pre-employment physical required