Cook

Inn at Village Square; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental plans

401(k) retirement with match

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Avesta Housing Corp. in Portland, ME, is seeking a mission-driven Cook to nourish residents in our assisted living community at 75 State Street.

You will prepare meals, handle regular and special diets, support events, and keep the kitchen clean and organized, in collaboration with the Food Services Supervisor. We value care, quality, and safety, and offer benefits including health and dental plans, generous time off and 401(k) with match, plus professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• One year of cooking experience (preferably in a healthcare setting).
• Ability to meet facility immunization requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals for regular and special diets.
• Support special events.
• Keep kitchen and storage areas clean, safe, and well-organized.
• Collaborate with the Food Services Supervisor to meet nutritional and presentation standards.
• Offer resident-centered alternatives and uphold guidelines.

Skills

Cooking

Meal preparation

Food safety

Team player

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about creating nourishing, well-balanced meals that make residents feel cared for and at home? Do you take pride in maintaining high standards of quality, cleanliness, and service in a fast-paced kitchen environment? Avesta Housing and 75 State Street is seeking a mission-driven Cook to help support the health and well-being of our assisted living residents through nutritious, thoughtfully prepared food.

In this essential role, you’ll prepare and serve meals for regular and special diets, support special events, and keep kitchen and storage areas clean, safe, and well-organized. You’ll collaborate with the Food Services Supervisor to ensure meals meet nutritional and presentation standards, offer resident-centered alternatives, and uphold state and federal guidelines. Your work will make a meaningful difference every day, supporting Avesta’s mission of improving lives through quality, compassionate care.

This role is a great fit if you:

• Enjoy preparing meals that balance nutrition, flavor, and presentation
• Bring strong cooking skills and thrive in a busy, team-oriented environment
• Are committed to cleanliness, safety, and following established procedures
• Want to positively impact residents’ daily lives through excellent food and service

About 75 State Street

Located in the historic West End neighborhood of Portland, Maine, 75 State Street is a nonprofit senior living community offering a continuum of care that includes Independent Living and Assisted Living. Our mission is to promote the independence, dignity, and individuality of older people of all financial abilities by offering supportive programs and services in an urban, residential setting. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of assisted living services in a nurturing home designed to enhance the quality of life, respect personal dignity, and to provide “peace of mind” to each resident as well as to their respective family.

What It's Like to Work Here

Our team members have positive attitudes, are creative problem solvers, and share a dedication to providing our residents with sincere and thoughtful care. Our shared commitment to improving the lives of others, strengthening our community, and ensuring compliance with state and federal standard of care requirements gives us purpose and inspires our best work. Our workplace culture and continuous opportunities for growth have resulted in Avesta's 75 State Street location being a popular place to work.

What We're Looking For

The person who is ready for this opportunity will have the following requirements:

• Excellent judgment
• Caring attitude
• Detail oriented
• Good communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of working with kitchen tools, preparing meals, and serving to a community

Requirements

• Ability to meet facility and state immunization requirements
• One year of cooking experience (preferably in a healthcare setting)
• Must be able to work independently as well as a part of a team, under the direction of the Food Services Supervisor
• Flexible schedule and willingness to work on evenings and weekends
• Good communication skills and ability to interact with people effectively

This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly position that pays $19.00 - $23.00 per hour, plus any applicable shift differentials.

Benefits

We have excellent employee benefits, including:

• Employer-paid health and dental plans for employees
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate vested match of up to 6%
• Employer-paid basic life, long-term and short-term disability
• Free mental wellness services for benefits-eligible employees
• 7 paid holidays
• Generous earned time, starting with 19 days in first year of employment
• Up to 3 paid personal days per year
• Professional development assistance
• Employee referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Avesta Housing Corp. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to being an inclusive community that values diversity in people, backgrounds, and ideas, and ensures fair treatment, access, and advancement for each person.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and lived experiences, including differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic background, veteran status, and family structure. We also recognize and value diversity in thought, communication styles, education, and career paths.

We believe our work is strengthened by a team that reflects the communities we serve. If you are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply.