Cook II

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 51,235 - 68,644; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is seeking a qualified Cook II to join the Food and Nutrition team. This full-time role involves preparing patient meals, baking, operating kitchen equipment, and supervising staff to ensure quality and safety.

The position runs 40 hours weekly, 10:00 AM–6:30 PM, with Wednesday and Thursday off, and requires adherence to sanitation codes and collaboration with dietitians on diet modifications.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time or equivalent experience in food preparation and cooking.
• Diploma or certificate in culinary arts may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Cook foods in quantities according to menu and number of persons to be served using standardized recipes.
• Modify recipes for special and therapeutic diets in consultation with dietitians.
• Prepare meals for special functions and evaluate quality, temperature, appearance, and taste.
• Operate kitchen equipment (ovens, stove, grill, steam kettles, blender, etc.).
• Place food orders and supervise storage when supervisor is absent.
• Maintain records such as requisitions and production sheets and ensure sanitation compliance.

Education

Diploma or certificate in culinary arts or related

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) under theDepartment of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a qualified candidate to join its Food andNutrition team for the position of full-time Cook II.The Food and Nutrition Department is responsible for preparing patient meals, including special and modified diets; Prepares baked goods and desserts; Operates kitchen equipment; Oversees production and tray line staff; Stores deliveries; Assists in quality control activities; Maintains a clean and safe work area.

Please Note This is a full-time, 40-hour position. The schedule will be 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM with Wednesday and Thursday as the days off.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Cookfoods in quantities according to menu and number of persons to be served, using standardized recipes and adjusting recipes as needed to produce required amounts.
• Modifies recipes as required for special and therapeutic diets, conferring with dietitians as necessary.
• Prepares meals for special functions.
• Evaluates food for quality, quantity, appearance, temperature, and taste through observation and tasting in order to determine if it is fresh, properly portioned, and prepared correctly.
• Operates kitchen equipment, including ovens, stove, grill, steam kettles, blender, food processor, mixer, slicer, and grinder, to portion and prepare food for cooking and consumption.
• Places food orders, in absence of Food Service Supervisor, reviewing menu and checking inventory.
• Receives food orders and oversees storage.
• Maintains records such as requisitions, production sheets, and other required forms.
• Uses measuring utensils for recipe standardization and portion control.
• Oversees work and assigns KSWs.
• Maintains a safe and clean work area by complying with sanitation codes, assisting with receiving and storing of foods, participating in cleaning and maintenance activities, reporting malfunctioning equipment, and monitoring and completing temperature and sanitizing logs.
• Inspects work and storage areas for compliance with department protocols and sanitation codes.
• Provides on-the-job training for new cooks, and others as needed, to teach cooking skills and ensure compliance with safety, sanitary, and food preparation requirements.
• Assists tray-line/dining room as assigned, reading and interpreting diet cards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency. Candidates must be able to read, writeand otherwise communicate in English.
• ASL preferred.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH)

Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and support to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines, Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Employment & Staffing at 1 [phone], Option 4.

Qualifications

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in the preparation and cooking of food in a hotel, restaurant, cafeteria, catering firm, government or private institution, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions

I. A diploma or certificate from a recognized trade, technical or vocational school, at high school level or higher, with a major in culinary arts, food services or food trades may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

Special Requirements: None

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity /affirmative action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Job

Food Services

Agency

Department of Mental Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Jul 31, 2026, 3:30:37 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

51,234.82 - 68,643.90 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affi…

Bargaining Unit : 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No