Food Service Worker - Dietetic Services-0050202

State of Missouri; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Missouri’s Missouri Department of Mental Health in Kansas City seeks a mid-level cook to prepare meals in a large facility kitchen, following menus and nutrition guidelines.

You will supervise staff on shift, assemble meals, ensure safety and sanitation, and coordinate supplies while maintaining attendance and professional standards. This role offers opportunities to contribute to residents' wellbeing in a challenging setting.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of commercial, industrial, or institutional cooking experience.
• No disciplinary action in the previous 12 months.
• Up to 8th Grade (Transcript Required).
• Employee must be current in mandatory training requirements and department job‑specific competencies.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the preparation of meals during a shift, or assists in the preparation of meals in a large facility kitchen.
• Instructs and evaluates lower-level employees, offenders, and/or other helpers in the preparation of meals.
• Prepares a major part of a meal in a large institutional kitchen on an independent basis; cooks vegetables and meats, carves meats, bakes pastries, and makes salads.
• Prepares meals on a household or small group basis; develops menus which comply with the rules of nutrition in preparing well-balanced meals.
• Maintains standards of safety and sanitation in the kitchen by supervising and participating in the cleaning of utensils, equipment, and work areas.
• Requisitions and obtains supplies and menu items; ensures quality and quantity of food, supplies, and equipment.

Skills

Food safety

Nutrition

Menu planning

Recipe reading

Staff supervision

Safety standards

Communication

Heat tolerance

Education

Up to 8th Grade (Transcript Required)

Job description

Job Location: This position will be located at 1000 E. 24th St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Why You’ll Love This Position

The Missouri Department of Mental Health is dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and public understanding of mental illness and developmental disabilities. By joining our team, YOU can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by a mental illness or developmental disability, so they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, live their lives to the fullest, and be a valued member of their communities.

This is mid-level work involving the preparation and cooking of food in a facility kitchen.

Job Duties

• This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.
• Supervises the preparation of meals during a shift, or assists in the preparation of meals in a large facility kitchen.
• Instructs and evaluates lower-level employees, offenders, and/or other helpers in the preparation of meals.
• Prepares a major part of a meal in a large institutional kitchen on an independent basis; cooks vegetables and meats, carves meats, bakes pastries, and makes salads.
• Prepares meals on a household or small group basis; develops menus which comply with the rules of nutrition in preparing well-balanced meals.
• Maintains standards of safety and sanitation in the kitchen by supervising and participating in the cleaning of utensils, equipment, and work areas.
• Requisitions and obtains supplies and menu items; ensures quality and quantity of food, supplies, and equipment.
• Exercises independence in the completion of work; receives general direction from a higher-level Cook, Food Service Manager, or other designated administrative supervisor. Performs other related work as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance; arrives to work on time, returns from lunch on time and minimizes unscheduled absences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two or more years of commercial, industrial, or institutional cooking experience. (Earned credit hours from an accredited college or university which included 15 earned credit hours in food preparation, Dietetics, Nutrition, Foods and Nutrition, Food Service Management, or a closely related area may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience at a rate of 30 earned credit hours for one year.)
• No disciplinary action in the previous 12 months
• Up to 8th Grade (Transcript Required).
• Employee must be current in mandatory training requirements and department job‑specific competencies. Being current in policies will be a consideration in selecting the most qualified candidate for awarding positions.
• Have not received a successful bid for a posting within the last ninety (90) days.

Key Skills

• Intermediate knowledge of materials, methods, and equipment used in preparing food on a large scale, and the use and care of utensils and equipment. Intermediate knowledge of food values and nutrition.
• Intermediate knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations.
• Ability to plan menus not requiring the application of professional dietetic principles.
• Ability to read and follow recipes. Ability to cook large quantities and/or plan and prepare meals on a household scale.
• Ability to supervise and instruct employees, offenders, and/or other helpers in the preparation of food.
• Ability to maintain standards of safety and sanitation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, offenders, and others.
• Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to work long hours while standing and under conditions of high temperature.

Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position please contact: Human Resources [phone].

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.