DSHS WSH Food Service Worker

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay if on-site 3+ days a wk

Orca Card transportation benefit

Job summary

Western State Hospital is seeking a Food Service Worker to help prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to residents. You will contribute to a welcoming, supportive environment while ensuring meals are safe, balanced and served with care.

This role emphasizes teamwork, attention to dietary needs, and adherence to infection control standards in a healthcare setting. Training and benefits are provided as part of the hospital environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent is required.
• Provide courteous customer service to patients in a healthcare setting.
• Follow food safety, sanitation and infection control standards.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and serve meals and snacks while following diet orders and tickets.
• Provide courteous customer service to patients in a behavioral health setting.
• Maintain clean and sanitized work areas, equipment and utensils.
• Follow food safety, sanitation, and infection control standards in a healthcare environment.
• Work collaboratively with team members in a fast-paced setting.
• Support patient nutrition by preparing and serving meals that meet special dietary needs.

Skills

Customer service

Food safety

Sanitation

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Food Service Worker

Join our team at Western State Hospital as a Food Service Worker, where your work helps support the care and recovery of the patients we serve. Food Service Workers play a vital role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment by helping prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to residents throughout the hospital.

Description

Join our team at Western State Hospital as a Food Service Worker, where your work helps support the care and recovery of the patients we serve. Food Service Workers play a vital role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment by helping prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to residents throughout the hospital.

This isn’t your average kitchen job. It’s meaningful, hands‑on work that supports the wellbeing of others. As part of a dedicated team, you’ll help ensure meals are safe, balanced, and served with care. Every shift contributes to helping patients stay nourished and supported while they focus on their recovery.

Additional Pay Incentives

• Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Assemble and serve meals and snacks while ensuring diet orders and meal tickets are followed.
• Provide courteous customer service to patients in a behavioral health setting.
• Maintain clean and sanitized work areas, equipment, and utensils.
• Follow food safety, sanitation, and infection control standards required in a healthcare environment.
• Work collaboratively with team members in a fast‑paced setting.
• Support patient nutrition by preparing and serving meals that meet special dietary needs.

Who should apply?

• High‑school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• A current Washington State Food Worker Card or the ability to obtain a Food Worker Card within 14 days of hire.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Provide courteous and professional customer service, remaining calm and respectful.
• Ability and willingness to learn food preparation and service techniques that support special dietary needs.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure meals are prepared and served according to instructions and dietary requirements.
• Clear and effective communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully and share information with team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to complete daily food service tasks efficiently.
• Knowledge of food safety practices, including proper food handling, sanitation, and storage procedures.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure ( Nepotism ) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health‑care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 non-overtime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non-overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro-rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Eligibility Questions

• Yes
• No

High school diploma question

• Yes
• No
• Required Question