Cook - Behavioral Health Recovery Meal Services

At State of the Heart Recovery, meal services play a meaningful role in supporting client health, stability, and comfort during treatment. The Cook prepares, cooks, and serves daily breakfast and lunch meals for individuals participating in behavioral health and addiction recovery treatment. The role maintains a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment while following all food safety, temperature control, and infection-prevention procedures.

This position supports a respectful, trauma-informed environment and interacts with clients and staff in a calm, professional, and culturally sensitive manner. The Cook contributes to the therapeutic setting by modeling professional behavior, following safety protocols, and helping provide a welcoming environment for clients.

• → Prepare and serve daily breakfast and lunch meals according to menu plans, portion guidelines, and nutritional expectations.
• → Follow all required procedures for food handling, storage, temperature control, labeling, cooling, and sanitation.
• → Maintain kitchen cleanliness, including equipment, work surfaces, utensils, appliances, and food service areas.
• → Monitor and document temperature logs for refrigerators, freezers, hot food, and cold food storage.
• → Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental health, infection control, and safety regulations in a behavioral health environment.
• → Manage basic inventory, track supply levels, and notify leadership when replenishment is needed.
• → Use kitchen appliances safely, including ovens, mixers, steam kettles, grills, steam tables, slicers, choppers, and warmers.
• → Wash hands, wear and change gloves properly, and avoid cross-contamination in all food preparation.
• → Communicate respectfully with clients and staff while maintaining professional boundaries.
• → Participate in mandatory training, safety drills, and staff meetings as required.
• → Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, time-management, and strong attention to detail.
• → Perform other duties as assigned to support kitchen operations and client services.

• → High school diploma or GED.
• → One year of experience in a kitchen or food-service environment preferred.
• → Food Handler’s Permit required within thirty days of hire.
• → Prior experience in healthcare or behavioral health settings preferred.
• → Knowledge of sanitation, safe food handling, infection control, and temperature control requirements.
• → Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment and follow written and verbal instructions.
• → Strong time-management, reliability, and attention to detail.
• → Ability to communicate respectfully with clients in a treatment-based environment.
• → Proficiency in basic documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance with food safety and facility standards.