Cook - Behavioral Health Recovery Meal Services

State of the Heart Recovery Inc; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan

Paid Time Off (Vacation and Holidays)

Family and Medical Leave

Wellness Resources

Job summary

State of the Heart Recovery Inc. seeks a Cook to prepare and serve daily breakfast and lunch in a behavioral health setting. You will ensure proper food handling, sanitation, and temperature control while maintaining a clean kitchen and following all safety protocols.

You will interact with clients and staff in a calm, professional, and trauma-informed manner, contributing to a welcoming environment and reliable kitchen operations in a mission-driven program.

Qualifications

• Food safety knowledge and adherence to sanitation standards.
• Punctuality and reliable time management.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with clients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve daily breakfast and lunch meals according to plan.
• Follow procedures for food handling, storage, temperature control, labeling, cooling, and sanitation.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness of equipment, surfaces, utensils, appliances, and areas.
• Monitor and document temperature logs for refrigeration and hot/cold storage.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations in a behavioral health environment.
• Manage basic inventory and notify leadership for replenishment.
• Operate kitchen appliances safely including ovens, mixers, steam kettles, grills, and warmers.
• Wash hands, wear gloves, and avoid cross-contamination in all prep areas.
• Communicate respectfully with clients and staff while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Participate in mandatory training, safety drills, and staff meetings.

Skills

Food safety

Time management

Client communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Ovens

Mixers

Steam kettles

Grills

Job description

Nourish Recovery by Supporting Client Wellness

At State of the Heart Recovery, meal services play a meaningful role in supporting client health, stability, and comfort during treatment. The Cook prepares, cooks, and serves daily breakfast and lunch meals for individuals participating in behavioral health and addiction recovery treatment. The role maintains a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment while following all food safety, temperature control, and infection-prevention procedures.

This position supports a respectful, trauma-informed environment and interacts with clients and staff in a calm, professional, and culturally sensitive manner. The Cook contributes to the therapeutic setting by modeling professional behavior, following safety protocols, and helping provide a welcoming environment for clients.

What You Will Do

• Prepare and serve daily breakfast and lunch meals according to menu plans, portion guidelines, and nutritional expectations.
• Follow all required procedures for food handling, storage, temperature control, labeling, cooling, and sanitation.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness, including equipment, work surfaces, utensils, appliances, and food service areas.
• Monitor and document temperature logs for refrigerators, freezers, hot food, and cold food storage.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental health, infection control, and safety regulations in a behavioral health environment.
• Manage basic inventory, track supply levels, and notify leadership when replenishment is needed.
• Use kitchen appliances safely, including ovens, mixers, steam kettles, grills, steam tables, slicers, choppers, and warmers.
• Wash hands, wear and change gloves properly, and avoid cross-contamination in all food preparation.
• Communicate respectfully with clients and staff while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Participate in mandatory training, safety drills, and staff meetings as required.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, time-management, and strong attention to detail.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support kitchen operations and client services.

Why Join Us

At State of the Heart Recovery, your work supports a healing environment where people begin rebuilding their lives. Nutritious meals and respectful service create stability, comfort, and trust for clients in treatment. You will work in a mission-driven setting where professionalism, quality, and compassion are valued every day.

Join a team where your work helps nourish health, dignity, and recovery.

What You Will Bring

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of experience in a kitchen or food-service environment preferred.
• Food Handler's Permit required within thirty days of hire.
• Prior experience in healthcare or behavioral health settings preferred.
• Knowledge of sanitation, safe food handling, infection control, and temperature control requirements.
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Strong time-management, reliability, and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with clients in a treatment-based environment.
• Proficiency in basic documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance with food safety and facility standards

Benefits

We believe in supporting the whole person at work and beyond. Our comprehensive benefits include:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Select Public Holidays)
• Family and Medical Leave in accordance with state and federal law
• Wellness Resources for mental and physical health