Cook

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking passionate Cooks to join their team at the Oregon State Hospital. This role involves preparing meals for a diverse group of patients and staff, ensuring dietary needs are met while adhering to safety and quality standards. You'll have the opportunity to impact the lives of individuals in a supportive environment, contributing to their recovery and well-being. With competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and retirement plans, this position offers a chance to grow within a dedicated team focused on health equity and community service.

Benefits

Medical Benefits

Dental Benefits

Vision Benefits

Vacation Leave

Sick Leave

Pension Programs

Employee Assistance Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a cook in a food service facility.
• Possession of a culinary arts certificate from a certified institution.

Responsibilities

• Prepare food for patients, staff, and visitors following safety guidelines.
• Monitor food quality, storage, and handling to ensure safety.

Skills

Safe Food Handling Certification

Cooking for Large Groups

Therapeutic Diet Preparation

Food Service Policies

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

05/04/2025

Application Deadline:

05/31/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$3,705-$5,066

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Cook

Job Description:

**Multiple Positions**

Attention current State of Oregon employees : To apply for posted positions, please close this window, and log into your Workday account and apply through the Career worklet.

The Oregon State Hospital , a division of the Oregon Health Authority, has multiple opportunities for Cook to join an excellent team. We are looking for a passionate individual who supports Oregon State Hospital's mission, which includes supporting one's recovery and community reintegration, all in a safe environment. The Oregon State Hospital (OSH ) is a psychiatric hospital under the direction of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) that inspires hope, promotes safety, and supports recovery. OSH employs over 2,000 FTE and serves over 600 patients each day on two campuses. OSH provides therapeutic, evidence-based, patient-centered treatment focusing on patient recovery and community reintegration.

Work Location/conditions: Oregon State Hospital, Salem Campus. On-site.

• Contact with patients/residents. Some who may experience dysregulation that may manifest in physical aggression

• Standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, and lifting (50 lbs.)

• Exposure to extreme temperature variations and high humidity

Please click the link below to view the position description.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/Jobs/PostionDescriptions/OSH-FNS-Cook 12.2024.doc

What Will You Do?

The Cook prepares food for distribution to institutional units, food service tray-lines, clients, patients/residents, staff, and visitors. Employees create recipes and develop and cook individual menu items in a volume dining or food service facility.

Employees assign and review work of lower-level staff, residents, clients, patients/residents, students, and/or other individuals. Employees monitor quality, time, storage, handling, and temperature of food for food safety consistent with OSH, state, and federal guidelines. Provide training in cooking methods and procedures. Some employees participate with a supervisor in planning menus, developing, and testing recipes. Some employees may help load and deliver food when needed. Employees in this class provide information to management concerning dietary restrictions, food quantity/quality, and other kitchen/unit needs. Employees may assist supervisor by monitoring budget to stay within allocated expenditures.

Ensure the various dietary needs of patients/residents are met to adhere to specific nutritional requirements and dietary needs. Employees monitor and review prescribed dietary orders. Follows portion control guidelines.

What's in it for you?

• A position where your input and contributions impact the citizens of Oregon.

• 8 hours of vacation leave and 8 hours of sick leave per month

• Nearly unbeatable medical, vision, and dental benefits

• Pension and retirement programs

• Employee Assistance Plan

• Flexible Spending accounts

OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation, and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click here , to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

Minimum Qualifications:

One year of experience as a cook in a food service facility.

OR

Possession of a certificate of completion in culinary arts and/or food and hospitality service from a certified community college or technical school.

NOTE : This position required the employee to obtain a food handler’s card within 30 days of hire.

Desired Attributes

• Current safe food handling certification.

• Experience cooking for 120 plus people per mean in an institutional setting.

• Experience cooking and preparing therapeutic diets and texture modifications.

• Experience following and applying food service policies and procedures.

• Completion of the Marion County Advanced Food Management Principles and Concepts Training, including HACCP Certification, at the time of appointment.

• Valid SERV Safe certification.

• Flexibility to work additional hours or shifts and holidays if they fall within the position’s regular schedule.

• Valid Oregon Driver’s license.

• Proficient in Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Proficient in the use of internet browsers to download recipes.

• Basic knowledge of arithmetic.

• Experience creating and maintaining a work environment that is respectful and accepting of diversity among team members and the people we serve.

How to apply:

• Complete the Online Application.

• Complete Questionnaire

• Attach Resume with all relevant experience to this position.

• Attach a Cover Letter describing how your education and/or experience meets the Required and Requested Attributes listed above.(Optional)

Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, contact Tiffany Gregg at 503-716-7772 or [e-mail]

Additional Information

• Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to your Workday account. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.

• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. Click here for more information about veterans’ preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process.

• We do not offer VISA sponsorship or transfers at this time – unless specifically noted. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States

• If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with OHA, Office of Human Resources. Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.

• Candidates who are offered employment at the Oregon State Hospital must satisfactorily pass a pre-employment drug test.

• Please only attach documents that are related to the position. Additional documents that are attached will not be reviewed.

• Applicant Help and Support web page.

The Oregon Health Authority is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants based on their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience, and training for this position.

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity and anti-racism .