Cook (Sign-On Bonus Available!)

Alpharus Health; Del Valle (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Meals provided

Annual merit increases

403(b) match

Job summary

Alpharus Health in Del Valle, TX is seeking a Cook to support meal service in a corrections facility. The role offers Tuesday-Saturday hours, a $1,500 sign-on bonus, and an hourly pay range of $16.93 to $24.47, with annual merit reviews.

Responsibilities include food preparation, menu planning support, supervising client kitchen assistants, inventory management, and maintaining sanitary kitchen operations in a controlled environment. HS diploma or GED and 6 months experience required.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED required.
• 6 months experience in similar role.
• Completion of ANSI- or Texas-approved Food Handler training.
• Knowledge of client population needs and de-escalation basics.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• General cooking knowledge and food presentation.
• Ability to organize, receive goods, and manage inventory.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and organizes work and serving areas, maintains kitchen equipment.
• Assists in menu planning and training of clients assigned to kitchen.
• Prepares, seasons, cooks, and serves food; portions meat, fish, or fowl.
• Leads client kitchen assistants in food prep and storage, ensuring sanitary conditions.
• Estimates food needs and completes related requisitions and logs.
• Adheres to meal schedules and ensures timely food prep.
• Maintains inventory of food and kitchen supplies.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Team leadership

Organizing skills

Physical stamina

Food handling safety

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Job description

Cook (Sign-On Bonus Available!)

Post Date: Sep 11, 2026

Location: Del Valle, TX, US, 78617

Position Type: Full Time

Requisition Number: 34316

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday; see below for hours

Who is Alpharus Health?

Alpharus Health is a national nonprofit behavioral health provider dedicated to helping people build healthier lives. For nearly 60 years, we have provided substance use and mental health treatment that helps individuals, families, and communities find healing, hope, and lasting wellbeing. Our mission is simple: We help people build healthier lives. By combining clinical expertise with a person-centered approach, we help people build the skills, resilience, and support systems needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

Why join us?

Consider joining our team, where your impact can be truly meaningful. Our organization focuses on delivering high quality clinical services as a recognized leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. By joining our team, you'll be working for an organization that values you and aims to be an employer of choice. You can expect to be part of a vibrant culture that emphasizes teamwork and professional growth. When you join us, you have the opportunity to find both personal and professional fulfillment by aligning your career with your values.

$1500 SIGN-ON BONUS AVAILABLE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday

• Tuesday: 12PM - 6PM
• Wednesday & Thursday: 11:45AM - 6PM
• Friday & Saturday: 6AM - 6PM

Cook responsibilities

• Cleans and organizes work and serving areas, and maintains kitchen equipment.
• Assists in menu planning and training of clients assigned to kitchen.
• Prepares, seasons, cooks, and serves food. Carves portions of meat, fish, or fowl for individual servings.
• Leads the work of client kitchen assistants in preparing, cooking, and storing food, as well as in maintaining kitchen and storage facilities in sanitary condition.
• Estimates food needs in accordance with planned menus and daily production sheet, completes related requisitions and logs.
• Adheres to meal schedules and ensures timely preparation of food items.
• Maintains inventory of food and kitchen supplies.

Job Requirements

• HS Diploma or GED
• 6 months experience in similar role
• Completion of Food Handler training course accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the State of Texas
• General knowledge of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning level of the client population; and the demonstrated ability to appropriately interact, tailor interventions, including de-escalation techniques, and communicate with clients based on their individual maturation level.
• Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to exchange information and interact with clients and treatment team.
• General knowledge in cooking and preparing a variety of foods.
• General knowledge of food preparation and presentation methods, techniques, and quality standards.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Ability to accept receipt of goods and supplies.
• General knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 60 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for more than six hours a day
• Ability to follow basic safety precautions
• Ability to stoop and bend, ability to reach and grab with arms and hands, and manual dexterity to manipulate kitchen implements and utensils.
• Ability to speak with others in order to exchange information and provide support
• Ability to read recipes and instructions, and measure or portion food items. Color vision and sense of smell necessary to inspect food items for spoilage.
• Ability to respond to telephones and pages, and to hear and detect alarms and unusual noises

Work Environment

• Works in a corrections facility where there is exposure to potentially disruptive inmates. Potential for harm is limited if established security precautions and procedures are followed.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and loud noises.

Compensation

• $16.93/hr - $24.47/hr
• $1,500 sign-on bonus (paid in three equal installments)
• Alpharus Health conducts annual reviews including merit increases.
• Meals are provided for employees at this facility!

Benefits at Alpharus

Health and Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash-saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial Wellbeing

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short-term and Long-term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Alpharus
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and Time Off

• 18 paid time off days per year - accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work-life-balance

Personal Development

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU's and job-related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Alpharus Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Nearest Major Market: Austin