Food Service Specialist I: Full-Time

Nex-Tech Classifieds; Norton (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage up to 85% premiums

Dental & vision plans

Up to 27 days PTO

8 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

401(k) with employer match

Tuition assistance

Student loan repayment support

PSLF eligible employer

HSA & FSA options

EAP

And more perks

Job summary

Valley Hope of Norton in Norton, KS, is hiring a Full-Time Food Service Specialist I / Dietary Cook to join our dedicated team. The role supports safe and timely meal preparation and service for patients, staff, and visitors.

Starting at $15.00+/hr with a night-shift differential and comprehensive benefits. Join a residential program focusing on compassionate care and dietary excellence.

Qualifications

• Food Permit/Handler's Card required or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• One year of job or training experience in dietary setting preferred.
• Specialized training in food preparation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe food handling and hygiene in kitchen and dining areas with proper documentation.
• Prepare or support daily meal preparation according to menus or supervisor instructions.
• Adjust recipes for census fluctuations while meeting dietary needs ordered by nursing.
• Serve food to patients, visitors, and staff with a courteous demeanor.
• Store foods per guidelines and state regulations.
• Perform dishwashing and sanitation for all meal-related items.
• Provide safety and hygiene instruction to patients assisting with kitchen duties.
• Complete cleaning and sanitizing tasks per schedule and operate kitchen equipment safely.
• Report safety hazards to management and follow Valley Hope policies.

Education

Food Permit/Handler's Card

Dietary work experience

Specialized training in food preparation

Job description

*This position is located in Norton, KS*

Food Service Specialist I / Dietary Cook: Full-Time

Valley Hope of Nortonhas an exciting opportunity for a Full-time Food Service Specialist to join our dedicated and passionate team!

Valley Hope restores lives affected by addiction and supports lifelong recovery. At Valley Hope, our mission comes to life through our core values of Character, Compassion, and Commitment. Are you ready to join an organization where you can make an extraordinary impact, conquering addiction one patient and family at a time? If so, Valley Hope welcomes you!

Valley Hope of Norton, located in northwest Kansas, has provided residential drug and alcohol addiction treatment services since 1967. Valley Hope of Norton is the ORIGINAL Valley Hope, and we take great pride in that. The story of Valley Hope begins and continues on the grounds we work every day.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Food Permit/Handler's Card; or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Preferred:

• One (1) year job or training experience in dietary setting.
• Specialized training in food preparation.

COMPENSATION:

• Starting at $15.00+/hr.

Shift Differential:

• Nights - $4.25

BENEFITS:

• Medical coverage — Valley Hope pays up to 85% of premiums
• Dental & vision plans at competitive rates
• Up to 27 days of PTO (based on position and tenure)
• 8 paid holidays (including a personal day)
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) with employer match
• Tuition assistance to grow your career
• Student loan repayment support
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• HSA & FSA options to manage healthcare costs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for added support
• And more perks designed with you in mind!

JOB SUMMARY:

• Ensures safe food handling protocol is maintained at all times within the kitchen and dining areas including that safe hand hygiene compliance, cross contamination prevention, and temperature checks are followed and ensures timely documentation as directed by supervisor, local regulatory body, or written instructions.
• Prepares/supports preparation of daily meals according to weekly menus/recipes or supervisor instruction. Properly increases or decreases recipes as needed for fluctuations in census.
• Prepares/supports preparation of daily meals and/or snacks according to Special Diet needs as ordered by nursing department.
• Provides/serves food to patients/units/programs, visitors, and staff with a pleasant demeanor.
• Stores food items according to established guidelines and/or state regulations/guidelines.
• Performs dishwashing and sanitation for all items used in preparation and serving of meals.
• Presents safety and hygiene instruction to any patients who are assigned to assist with dish or clean up duties to ensure safe kitchen environment and safe dish sanitization methods are followed.
• Performs cleaning/sanitizing tasks as outlined on the shift/daily/weekly/monthly cleaning schedules, which may include sinks, counters, ovens, stovetops, grill, fryer, serving line, salad bar, and other equipment and appliances.
• Follows safety guidelines when using appliances, utensils, and other commercial kitchen equipment.
• Reports safety hazards to management.
• Removes trash, boxes, or other materials such as used grease to appropriate containers in a timeframe that ensures staff safety and proper food handling protocol.
• Adheres to Valley Hope’s philosophies, policies, and procedures as well as any other regulating bodies.
• Participates in all assigned staff meetings, staff development, and training as required.
• Interacts and communicates with others (patients, co-workers, management, clients, and vendors) in a professional and tactful manner including treating them with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Residential treatment facility setting; requires walking throughout the facility and may require unloading of food/stock in temperature extremes.
• Able to stand for lengthy periods and to walk including up or down steps or stairs as needed.
• Able to lift and carry at least 25 pounds.