Culinary & Hospitality Instructor – YouthBuild

About Us

LearningWorks is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth and families through education, workforce development, and community-based support. Our mission is: “Equipping Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential.”

Through relationship centered programming and experiential learning opportunities, LearningWorks helps young people build confidence, develop career readiness, and create pathways toward long-term success. We foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace where staff are encouraged to bring compassion, creativity, and authenticity to their work every day.

About YouthBuild

YouthBuild is a nationally recognized education and workforce development program serving young adults ages 16–24 who may have experienced barriers to educational success or employment. Participants often come to the program with interrupted educational experiences, housing instability, family challenges, trauma, or other obstacles that have impacted traditional school engagement.

YouthBuild combines academics, leadership development, career readiness, and hands-on vocational training to help students build confidence, practical skills, and pathways toward long-term success.

Position Overview

LearningWorks is seeking a Culinary & Hospitality Instructor to provide engaging, hands-on culinary and hospitality instruction to YouthBuild participants. This role blends technical training, mentorship, and youth development while helping students strengthen workplace skills, communication, teamwork, and confidence.

This role is primarily in person, with instruction taking place in classrooms, kitchens, and community partner locations, along with occasional remote flexibility for planning and administrative responsibilities.

The ideal candidate understands that relationship-building is essential to this role. Some participants may initially demonstrate inconsistent engagement, hesitancy, or limited willingness to participate due to previous educational experiences or significant life barriers. Successful staff approach this work with empathy, consistency, accountability, and a commitment to helping students feel supported while maintaining high expectations.

What You’ll Do

Deliver hands-on culinary and hospitality instruction in classroom and kitchen settings
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized kitchen environment
Supervise students during food preparation and experiential learning opportunities
Model professionalism, teamwork, food safety, and hospitality industry standards
Mentor and support youth in personal and professional development
Build strong relationships that encourage student engagement and persistence
Collaborate with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality partners
Support program planning, documentation, and student progress tracking
Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and relationship-centered culture

What You Will Bring

Experience in culinary arts, food service, hospitality, or kitchen management
Passion for youth development and workforce training
Strong relationship-building and communication skills
Patience, adaptability, and the ability to support youth through challenges and setbacks
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed approaches
Ability to motivate and engage diverse learners with varying levels of readiness
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with staff and community partners

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, hospitality, education, youth development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth in educational, workforce, or community-based settings
Experience in culinary arts, food service, hospitality, or kitchen management
Valid Maine driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to transport students in agency vehicles
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in active kitchen environments

Preferred Qualifications

ProStart Instructor Certification
ServSafe Manager Certification
Experience in workforce development or alternative education settings

Benefits

LearningWorks offers a competitive and employee-focused benefits package, including:

Unlimited PTO after 90 days of employment
403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 3% after one year of employment
Immediate eligibility to contribute to retirement savings
Medical and dental insurance with very low employee premiums
No cost access to HRA
Access to FSA and Dependent Care FSA
Flexible scheduling options
Employer Provided Short-term disability coverage
Paid state holidays
Employer-paid life insurance
Retirement planning resources and support

Schedule & Compensation

Full Time Role
32- 40 hours
Primarily in-person with occasional remote flexibility
Typical hours are Monday–Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
$23.08-25/hour depending on experience

LearningWorks

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Culinary & Hospitality Instructor - YouthBuild