Food Service Tech II - Cook Part Time

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Western State Hospital) seeks a Food Service Tech II - Cook Part Time to perform operations in Nutrition Services, including assembling patient trays, catering requests, and leading opening/closing tasks.

The role requires prior food service experience, ability to lift 20–50 lbs, and strong adherence to safety standards; local setting in Staunton, VA with opportunities to contribute to patient meals and cafeteria services.

Qualifications

• Experience in food service.
• Basic knowledge of food service production and operations and of regulations and/or standards governing foodservice operations.
• Basic knowledge of quantity cooking.
• Ability to read and write at a high school level.
• Ability to communicate with superiors and coordinate with peers.
• Ability to take work direction and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to lift 20–50 lbs.
• Prolonged standing and walking; tolerate varied environments and temperatures.

Responsibilities

• Weigh/measure ingredients and follow recipes; label and date finished products.
• Maintain HACCP logs; monitor temperatures.
• Wash/sanitize equipment and surfaces; store cleaning materials properly.
• Monitor temperatures and adjust as needed to maintain safety.
• Inspect incoming items for quality and temperature; verify shipments.
• Serve food/beverage in proper portions; ensure tray accuracy and cleanliness.
• Ensure proper tray menu items, diet and presentation.
• Clean and store pots/pans; let air-dry per guidelines.

Skills

Food service

Food safety

Communication

High school reading/writing

Manual dexterity (lifting 20–50 lbs)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Title

Food Service Tech II - Cook Part Time

State Role Title

Food Service Technician II

Hiring Range

$17.25/HR

Pay Band

2

Agency

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location

Western State Hospital

Agency Website

https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type

General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital

103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview

This position will perform a combination of operational tasks in support of the Nutrition Services department; handle catering request for events, social gatherings, and delegation visits; function as a lead worker performing opening/closing responsibilities; assist with assembly of patient trays, snacks and bag meals; clean dishes, trays, equipment, and kitchen facilities; perform storeroom assistance in receiving/stocking and/or pre-portioning/product stocking; and perform all work in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Virginia Department of Health, maintaining a high level of personal hygiene.

Key Responsibilities

• Weigh/measure ingredients and follow standardized recipes for products assigned, appropriately labeling/dating finished products
• Chill cooked recipe items to appropriate safe temperature within the appropriate timeframe and document all temperatures on appropriate HACCP log sheets
• Wash, rinse, and sanitize equipment and work surfaces and store all cleaning materials in designated locations
• Monitor the temperature of food items and make adjustments as necessary to maintain proper temperatures
• Inspect incoming items for quality, freshness, appropriate temperature and shipments verified with receipts
• Serve food and beverage items in proper amounts by weighing correctly
• Checks trays for accuracy of menu items, diet, consistency, portion size, tray presentation and cleanliness
• Clean, sanitize and store all pots and pans allowing them to air dry according to the VDH and Department guidelines

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in food service
• Basic knowledge of food service production and operations and of regulations and/or standards governing foodservice operations
• Basic knowledge of quantity cooking
• Ability to read and write at a high school level
• Ability to communicate with superiors and coordinate with peers
• Ability to take work direction an prioritize work tasks
• Ability to lift moderate weights (20 to 50 lbs)
• Ability to perform these functions: prolonged standing and walking on various surfaces; ability to work when needed in various environmental conditions; visual acuity to see food soil and food spoilage

Additional Considerations

• High school graduate or equivalent
• prior institutional food service experience beyond beginning level
• bilingual
• veteran or veteran spouse

Special Instructions

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code

• 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific (“barrier”) crimes or those with pending “barrier” charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Note:

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.