Wage/Part Time Food Service Technician I

DHRM; Danville (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville, VA is hiring a Wage/Part Time Food Service Technician I. This wage position is up to 28 hours weekly with no benefits, at a starting pay of $15.00 per hour.

Responsibilities include assembling patient trays, serving from stations, dishwashing, and sanitation maintenance. Must have ServSafe or obtain within six months, and be able to lift 20–50 pounds; HS diploma

Qualifications

• Must read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Current ServSafe certification or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Basic knowledge of food service.
• Basic knowledge of sanitation.
• Ability to read and write.
• Ability to lift 20–50 pounds.
• Visual acuity to see spoilage.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and serve patient trays from cold or hot serving lines.
• Clean/wash dishes, trays, equipment, and kitchen facilities.
• Assist with lifting, carrying, and moving items up to 40+ pounds.
• Work varied shifts, weekends, and holidays in a hot, humid environment.

Skills

ServSafe certification

Food service basics

Sanitation basics

Reading & writing

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Title: Wage/Part Time Food Service Technician I

State Role Title:W79211

Hiring Range: $15.00/hour

Pay Band: 1

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southern Va Mental Health Inst

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/svmhi/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

THIS IS A WAGE POSITION (UP TO 28 HOURS/WEEK) WITH NO BENEFITS

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental services support individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS operates 12 facilities: 8 behavioral health facilities for adults, a training center, a psychiatric facility for children and adolescents, a medical center, and a center for behavioral rehabilitation. State facilities provide highly structured, intensive services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or need substance use disorder services. DBHDS is committed to a life of possibilities for all Virginians. This position will work at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a 72-bed Joint Commission accredited State Mental Health Facility, located in Danville, VA.

Dietary Services is seeking a productive team member to perform a combination of operational food service tasks related to the assembly and service of patient trays to include: ability to read tray tickets and posted job assignments; proper assembly of patient trays and snacks; service of items from a cold serving station and/or hot serving line; cleaning/washing of dishes, trays, equipment and kitchen facilities; prolonged standing and walking on various surfaces; ability to lift moderate (10-40 lbs.) loads, bend, stoop and carry object; ability to work in a hot, humid environment; ability to work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement.

All work to be performed in accordance with rules and regulations of the Virginia Department of Health, maintaining a high level of personal hygiene.

Must be able to work varied shifts, weekends, and holidays. Operating hours are 5:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful applicant must be able to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions.

Current ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification within six months of employment is required.

The position will also require:

• Basic knowledge of food service.
• Basic knowledge of sanitation.
• Ability to read and write.
• Ability to lift 20-50 pounds.
• Visual acuity to see spoilage.

Additional Considerations

• Previous behavioral health experience/hospital experience.
• High school diploma.
• Veterans and people with National Service.

Special Instructions

A successful fingerprint-based criminal history check, drug screen, and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position.

Under Virginia Code Section 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific "barrier" crimes or persons who may have pending "barrier" charges.

Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth's Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at [phone] for assistance.

DBHDS is an equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

SVMHI uses Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment.

SVMHI is a smoke and vape-free facility in all buildings and outside facility grounds.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Advertised: 02 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 09 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time