Cooks Assistant I

Westminster Communities of Florida; Saint Augustine (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Westminster Communities of Florida in St. Augustine, located in the World Golf Village, is seeking a Cook's Assistant I for a full-time role serving residents, guests, and staff with salads, sandwiches and pantry items.

You may assist with hot items under supervision and ensure consistent quality and presentation. The position requires basic food preparation skills, a high school diploma or equivalent, and Florida SafeStaff certification or enrollment to obtain within 90 days.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent, Florida SafeStaff certification required or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of date of hire.
• Minimum 12 months of experience in a full service culinary setting.

Responsibilities

• Performs limited hot food preparation under direct supervision of the cook using standardized recipes.
• Performs cold food preparation, including salads and sandwiches, under guidance of the cook.
• Distributes prepared food accurately to service areas and restocks as needed.
• Cleans and maintains the station following safety and sanitation practices.
• Assists with cleaning, sanitation and organization of the kitchen and equipment.

Skills

Food prep

Sanitation

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Florida SafeStaff certification

Job description

Westminster Communities of Florida is a national leader in senior living and dedicated to a mission of service to older adults. Founded in 1954, Westminster Communities of Florida is a fiscally strong, not-for-profit organization serving more than 10,000 residents in Life Plan Communities and affordable Rental Retirement Communities. Our communities offer independent living, assisted living, nursing care, home care, pharmacy services, therapy services, and affordable housing for seniors.

Our Life Plan Community, Westminster St. Augustine, is located in the beautiful World Golf Village with convenient access to I-95, offering team members an ideal work environment that combines a welcoming community atmosphere with easy commuting and access to the greater St. Augustine region. We are proud to be recognized for excellence in senior care from U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes for Rehab 2026, U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes for Long-Term Care 2026, Newsweek, America's Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2026, and the State of Florida Governors Gold Seal Award 2026-2029.

Westminster St. Augustine is currently accepting applications for the position of Cooks Assistant I to work on a full-time basis. This position prepares and serves quality food including salads, cold sandwiches and pantry items using quality ingredients for residents, guests and employees. May prepare hot food items under the instruction of a cook.

We Offer

• Medical Insurance – three plan options
• Dental Insurance – three plan options
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Plans for medical and dependent care
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance – benefit amount is three times annual salary (Premium paid by company)
• Long Term Disability – (Premium paid by company)
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance – available to employee, spouse and child(ren)
• Hospital Indemnity Plan, Voluntary Group Accident and Voluntary Group Critical Illness
• Health Advocate – free assistance with resolving healthcare and insurance related issues
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• PTO Hours (hours can be sold in 20 hour increments as long as 80 hours remain afterwards)
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Jury Duty
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - free counseling for employees and their families
• Tuition Reimbursement Program (after 1 year of service)
• Resident Scholarship Program to assist in furthering education (available after 90 days of employment)
• Resident Christmas Fund for team members
• Foundation Mercy Fund
• Free Flu Shots and Hepatitis B vaccinations
• Discounted Meals
• Tickets at Work – discount pricing on travel and entertainment options
• Training & Career growth

Essential Position Functions

• Performs limited hot food preparation under the direct supervision of the cook in accordance standardized recipes.
• Performs cold food preparation under the guidance of the cook in accordance standardized recipes. Includes salads, sandwiches and deserts.
• Distributes prepared food to all areas of service accurately and consistent in preparation and presentation. Restocks items as needed throughout the shift.
• Cleans and maintains station by practicing good safety, sanitation and organization skills.
• Assist with the cleaning, sanitation and organization of the kitchen and equipment.

The above position description is not to be construed as a complete listing of the assignments and responsibilities assigned to any employee; nor are such assignments restricted to those precisely listed in the description. This position description may change from time to time as the needs of the organization change.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

High School Diploma or Equivalent, Florida SafeStaff certification required or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of date of hire.

Experience:

Full understanding of basic food preparation methods and cooking techniques in quantity food production. A minimum 12 months experience in a full service culinary setting.

Requirements:

Ability to read, write and speak the English language and understand and follow written and oral directions. Ability to perform basic math skills. Basic knife handling skills. Ability to fill in for cook as needed on a temporary basis.

Physical & Environmental Requirements and Sensory & Communicative Activities:

Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Reaching, Standing, Sitting, Lifting (up to 50 lbs), Bending, Walking, Hearing, Speaking, Seeing, Manual Dexterity, Tasting, Smelling

Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of this position.

Total Rewards:

Westminster offers a supportive, mission-driven environment where team members are valued and actively supported in their professional growth and career development. We are committed to providing competitive pay and benefits. Benefits for part-time positions include paid time off, and more. Visit Career Benefits | Westminster Communities of Florida for more information.

We Thrive:

We believe our success starts with our people. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, communication, accountability, and quality, creating an environment where our 2,800 team members are supported, empowered, and encouraged to grow. We value collaboration, recognize contributions, and are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @WestminsterCareers and on LinkedIn to learn more about Westminster Communities of Florida.

Westminster Communities of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. We conduct drug testing and criminal background screening on all new hires. Applicants can learn more about Florida background screening requirements at https://info.flclearinghouse.com/