Food Service Worker

Vance Airscoop; Pearl (MS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and prescription insurance

Life insurance

Paid leave

State retirement programs

Job summary

Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield, MS is seeking a dependable Food Service Worker to support meal preparation and patient service. You will help with portioning meals, assembling trays for special diets, and keeping serving lines stocked while following safety standards.

The role offers on-site responsibilities in a large hospital setting with team-based training. Candidates with a good attitude, basic sanitation knowledge, and a willingness to learn will fit well.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required or preferred.
• 0–2 years of food service, kitchen or cafeteria experience; training provided.
• ServSafe food handler certification preferred or earned after hire.
• Ability to read and follow instructions including diet orders and tray tickets.
• Basic knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation or willingness to learn.
• Good communication skills and a positive, team-first attitude.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and portion food from the main kitchen, plus simple items like sandwiches, salads, dressings and drinks.
• Build meal trays with the right portions for patients and residents on special diets.
• Serve on food lines and keep the lines stocked.
• Use food prep and serving equipment safely.
• Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, pots, pans and containers.
• Clean and sanitize tables, workstations, pantries and serving areas.
• Refill condiments and supplies, and order basic food and supply items.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation and infection-control rules.
• Lead pantry cleaning (Food Service Worker II only).

Skills

Food safety

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ServSafe food handler

Job description

Food Service Worker

Mississippi State Hospital | Whitfield, MS (15 miles southeast of Jackson)

State Classification: Food Service Worker [confirm level I or II]

Good food is part of good care

At Mississippi State Hospital, every meal helps patients and residents feel cared for on their road to recovery. Our Food Services team makes sure each person gets the right meal, served safely and with respect. We're a publicly funded behavioral health program of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and one of the largest public behavioral health hospitals in the nation. Our 282-bed hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, and it sits alongside our 198-bed nursing home on a 350-acre wooded campus in Whitfield. Nearly 1,000 professionals work here around the clock.

If you have a good attitude, take food safety seriously and want a steady job that serves a real purpose, we'd like to meet you.

What you'll do

• Prepare and portion food from the main kitchen, plus simple items like sandwiches, salads, dressings and drinks
• Build meal trays with the right portions for patients and residents on special diets
• Serve on food lines and keep the lines stocked
• Use food prep and serving equipment safely [confirm whether grill or fryer work is included]
• Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, pots, pans and containers, and put them away
• Clean and sanitize tables, workstations, pantries and serving areas
• Refill condiments and supplies, and order basic food and supply items
• Follow all food safety, sanitation and infection-control rules
• Help lead pantry cleaning [Food Service Worker II only]

What you'll need

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 0–2 years of food service, kitchen or cafeteria experience. We'll train the right person.
• ServSafe food handler certification [confirm whether it's required, preferred or earned after hire]
• Ability to read and follow instructions, including diet orders and tray tickets
• Basic knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation, or a willingness to learn
• Good communication skills and a positive, team-first attitude
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Male applicants ages 18–26 must be registered with Selective Service

Physical requirements

• Stand and walk for long periods
• Move around all kitchen, pantry and serving areas
• Lift up to 25 pounds at times [confirm whether pushing meal carts is part of the job]
• Work in hot and cold conditions near kitchen equipment and walk-in coolers

Why you'll love working here

Benefits

• Health and prescription insurance, plus wellness benefits
• Life insurance, with optional discounted dental, vision and cancer coverage
• Paid personal, sick and military leave
• State retirement programs and deferred compensation
• State Credit Union membership

Room to grow

• Career ladders, chances for promotion, and ongoing training and career development
• State professional development programs through the Mississippi State Personnel Board
• A place to build a long-term career, with service milestones celebrated every month

A culture that recognizes you

• Monthly MSH STARS celebrations for Employees of the Month, service milestones, promotions and new certifications
• Perfect attendance awards, given quarterly and once a year
• Annual Employee of the Year awards, including a Support Services category
• Staff appreciation events throughout the year, including National Hospital Week
• Campus traditions like MSH Day, with food, music and games in MSH Park
• An on-campus employee dining room

A great place to work

• A 350-acre wooded campus just 15 miles from Jackson's restaurants, entertainment and events
• A team of nearly 1,000 professionals providing care around the clock

Mississippi State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Insert the client's full EEO statement from their careers page]