Kitchen Services Worker I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 42,214 - 53,381; Full time

Job summary

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH), part of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, is seeking a Kitchen Services Worker to prepare and serve food while following therapeutic diets.

Responsibilities include assembling trays, delivering meals, and cleaning the dish room, with a 40-hour full-time schedule (11:30 AM–8:00 PM) and Wednesday/Thursday off. Candidates should meet health and safety standards and communicate politely with staff and patients.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of sanitary methods and procedures for care and use of dining room equipment.
• Experience handling, preparing and cooking simple dishes on a large scale.
• Ability to work with physically, mentally or emotionally patient populations.
• Competent in following simple oral or written instructions.
• Physical ability to perform manual tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assembles food, beverages, and service ware for tray line and cafeteria following diet cards.
• Prepares and cooks simple dishes such as sandwiches, salads, soups, etc.
• Inspects areas to ensure procedures are followed.
• cleans floors, walls, ceilings, windows, and furniture as directed.
• Delivers and retrieves food, beverages, and service ware to units and cafeteria.
• Prepares and breaks down dish room and operates dish machine.
• Adheres to hospital dietary policies and food service safety.
• Communicates politely with consumers and staff.

Skills

Sanitation knowledge

Food preparation

Patient interaction

Following instructions

Physical ability

Dish machine operation

Tools

Dish machine operation

Job description

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) under the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking qualified Kitchen Services Worker to prepare and serve food, adhering to therapeutic diets. Kitchen Services Worker are responsible for preparing and/or building food items while providing customer service and adhering to food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures. The incumbent is responsible for assembling, delivering and retrieving patient meal trays and working in the dish room, cleaning equipment and dishware.

Please Note: The schedule for this position is full-time, 40 hours/week, 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM, with Wednesday and Thursday as the days off.

Duties and Responsibilities

Assembles food, beverages, and service ware for the tray line and cafeteria following instructions on diet cards.

Prepares and cooks simple dishes such as sandwiches, salads, soups, etc.

Inspects assigned areas to determine that work has been performed according to established procedures.

Cleans surfaces including floors, interior walls, ceilings, windows, and furniture by sweeping and mopping, using appropriate supplies and equipment.

Delivers and returns food, beverages and service ware to and from the units and cafeteria.

Prepares and breaks down dish room, scrapes dishes, operates dish machine, cleans dish room and dishware according to procedures.

Adheres to all hospital dietary policies and procedures regarding food service sanitation and safety.

Communicates in a polite manner with consumers and staff.

Required Qualifications

Working knowledge of the approved sanitary methods and procedures for the care and use of dining room equipment.

Experience utilizing the materials and procedures used in handling, preparation and cooking of simple dishes on a large scale.

Ability to work with physically, mentally or emotionally patient populations.

Competent in following simple oral or written instructions.

Physical ability to perform the manual tasks assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, push/pull, and lift.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH)

Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and support to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines,

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at1-800-510-4122, Option 4.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: None.

Special Requirements: None

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affidative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Primary Location

Job

Equipment, Facilities & Services

Agency

Department of Mental Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Jul 31, 2026, 3:30:48 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

42,213.60 - 53,381.38 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affinity, Disability or Equal Employment Opportunity queries or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Christina Hyppolite / [e-mail] - 8572835830

Bargaining Unit

02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential

No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule

No