Food Service Tech II - Cook Part Time

DHRM; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA is seeking a Food Service Tech II (Cook) for a part-time position in the Nutrition Services department. You will assemble patient trays, support event catering, and lead opening/closing tasks while maintaining hygiene and safety standards.

The role requires experience in food service, knowledge of HACCP and quantity cooking, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Applicants must be able to read and write at a high school level and communicate effectively

Qualifications

• Experience in food service.
• Knowledge of food service production and operations.
• 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; ability to work in varying environmental conditions.

Responsibilities

• Weigh/measure ingredients and follow standardized recipes, labeling and dating finished products.
• Chill cooked items to safe temperatures and document HACCP temperatures.
• Wash, rinse, sanitize equipment and surfaces; store cleaning materials.
• Monitor temperatures and adjust as needed to keep foods safe.
• Inspect incoming items for quality, freshness and proper temperatures.

Skills

Food service experience

Food service operations knowledge

Quantity cooking

Reading/writing (HS level)

Communication

Prioritize tasks

Lifting 20-50 lbs

Standing/walking

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 its 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

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

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

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.

Advertised

16 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time