Kitchen Staff

DHRM; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia is recruiting a Kitchen Staff Worker to join the Food Services team. The role focuses on preparing nutritious meals, portioning accurately, assembling trays, and delivering them while maintaining food safety standards.

Applicants should be dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of working in a healthcare environment with strict security policies. The position offers rotating shifts and opportunities to contribute to patient well-being daily.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a food service operation.
• Experience communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a maximum-security setting where personal communication devices, including but not limited to cell phones and smart watches, are prohibited.

Responsibilities

• Assist in meal preparation and portioning.
• Prepare trays and packaging, ensuring accuracy and safety.
• Support a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen operation in a healthcare setting.

Skills

Food service experience

Communication skills

Security precautions

Job description

Title

Kitchen Staff

State Role Title

79211

Hiring Range

$35,524.00 - $49,023.00

Pay Band

1

Agency

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location

Central State Hospital

Agency Website

https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type

General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Kitchen Staff Worker to become an essential member of our Food Services team. If you are dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to providing excellent customer service in a healthcare setting, we encourage you to apply. In this role, you will help ensure individuals receive nutritious, accurately prepared meals that meet their dietary needs while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and infection control. The Kitchen Staff Worker plays a key role in meal preparation, portioning, tray assembly, packaging, and delivery, while supporting a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen operation. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day by contributing to the health, well-being, and quality of care provided to the individuals served at Central State Hospital.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job

• - Ability to perform manual labor and physical tasks, including bending, stooping, standing for extended periods, and lifting as required.
• - Demonstrated ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
• - Demonstrated ability to perform sanitation duties, including cleaning floors, food service equipment, and other assigned work areas.
• - Knowledge of food preparation techniques, sanitary practices, food safety standards, and applicable federal, state, and local food service regulations.
• - Ability to work effectively in a maximum-security setting where personal communication devices, including but not limited to cell phones and smart watches, are prohibited.

Typical Schedule: This position operates on a rotating schedule. Typical shifts are approximately 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Shift assignments and work hours may vary based on departmental needs and are not guaranteed.

Minimum Qualifications

• - Experience working in a food service operation.
• - Experience communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• - Ability to work in a maximum-security setting where personal communication devices, including but not limited to cell phones and smart watches, are prohibited.

Additional Considerations

• - May be required to perform other duties as assigned.
• - May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at 1-804-524-7111 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

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 highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

SOEI: Per the Code of Virginia §2.2-3114, persons occupying positions of trust within state government or non-salaried citizens of policy and supervisory boards file a disclosure statement with the Commonwealth’s Ethics Advisory Council, as a condition to assuming office or employment, and thereafter shall file such a statement annually on or before February 1. Additionally, per Executive order, positions of trust include senior-level positions with responsibility affecting legislative policies and rule-making authority or substantive authorization and decision-making regarding policy, contracts and procurement, audits, licensure, inspections and investigations, and investments or other financial matters. Sections 2.2-3128 through 2.2-3131 of the Code of Virginia require that each employee within a position of trust complete COIA training within two months of their hire date and at least once every two years after the initial training. This position is identified as a position of trust within the agency.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources Department

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Advertised: 25 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 05 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time