Cook 1 - Wernersville State Hospital

Do you have a passion for cooking and a desire to build a career in the food service industry? The Cook 1 position with the Department of Human Services at Wernersville State Hospital offers the chance to make a real difference every day. This role lets you prepare meals that support health, comfort, and well-being. Your work helps create a welcoming dining experience for those who rely on nutritious, well-prepared food. Apply today to join a team that values quality, teamwork, and care.

This position prepares nutritious meals and supports kitchen operations to ensure a safe and pleasant dining environment for consumers. As a Cook 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Meal Preparation: Produce menu items by following standardized recipes and cooking methods
• Food Distribution: Portion and label food for delivery to designated dining areas
• Equipment Operation: Use kitchen tools and appliances safely and according to posted instructions
• Sanitation Tasks: Clean equipment, surfaces, and work areas to maintain sanitation standards
• Ingredient Support: Assist with storage, pre-prep, and handling of food items when needed

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM with rotating days off. You will be required to work every other weekend and holidays as assigned. Your schedule may change based on operational needs.
• Overtime: As needed.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Desirable Preparation for Work:

• Experience in cooking or quantity food preparation; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

In accordance with the seniority provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, this position was previously posted for seniority candidates. Since there were no seniority candidates, it is now open to all applicants.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.