Food Service Worker

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Job summary

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center in Maine is seeking a food service worker to prepare and serve meals in institutional dining rooms, kitchens, and wards. The role includes simple diet preparation, light housekeeping, and kitchen cleanup under close supervision.

Responsibilities include cleaning equipment and surfaces, assisting with meal preparation, and maintaining high personal hygiene. No special coursework is required; some positions may require a valid Maine Class C license.

Qualifications

• No formal coursework required for entry.
• Some positions may require a valid Maine Class C Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Clean and wash pots, pans, and serving containers to sanitation standards.
• Clean work areas to safety standards.
• Clean tables, utensils, and storage shelves to sanitary standards.
• Prepare vegetables and other foods to assist with meals.
• Maintain personal cleanliness for a neat appearance.
• Serve food from steam tables and carts to patients.
• Prepare simple foods (eggs, toast, tea, coffee, cereals) to meet nutritional needs.

Skills

Food service knowledge

Food preparation

Hygiene and sanitation

Communication

Written communication

Supervising residents

Tools

Food service equipment

Job description

Open Date: 10/22/2026 Closing Date: October 29, 2026 Job Class Code: 8262 Grade: 05 Salary: $18.67 - $23.23 per hour* Shift: 10:00a - 6:30p/ 3 week rotation Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

DESCRIPTION: This is maintenance and personal services work in preparing and serving food in institutional dining rooms, kitchens, and wards. Work involves some food and simple special diet preparation and related light housekeeping and kitchen cleanup tasks. Work is performed under immediate supervision.

Representative Tasks:

• Cleans and washes pots, pans, and serving containers in order to comply with required cleanliness and sanitary standards.
• Cleans and washes work areas in order to comply with established safety and sanitary standards.
• Cleans tables, utensils, and storage shelves in order to comply with established sanitary standards.
• Prepares, processes, peels, and cuts vegetables and other food stuffs in order to assist with meal preparation.
• Practices good personal hygiene in order to present a neat, clean appearance.
• Serves food from steam tables and food carts in order to assist in providing meals to patients.
• Prepares simple foods such as eggs, toast, tea, coffee, and cereals in order to assist in meeting the nutritional needs of patients.

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of use and care of food service equipment and utensils.
• Knowledge of methods and practices of food preparation and service.
• Ability to oversee residents in performance of simple tasks.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.

Minimum Qualifications:

• No special coursework, training, or experience is required for entry to this classification.
• Some positions may require possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Agency information: Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness. As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.86% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act. State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.