STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Head Cook (37.5 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #260311-4310TC-001

Introduction


Are you excited by the idea of leading a kitchen where teamwork, creativity, and organization come together every day?
Already part of DMHAS? 
We’d love for you to apply and bring your talents to this opportunity!


THE POSITION
The State of ConnecticutDepartment of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now hiring agency employees for the position of Head Cook.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH
  • LOCATION: 39 Tynan Circle, Middletown, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 37.5 Hours per week, First Shift
  • Monday - Friday 5:45 am - 1:45 pm
  • POSITION NUMBER: 26892

CONTINUE TO ENJOY

DISCOVER THE OPPPORTUNITY TO
  • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals; 
  • Provide support that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; 
  • Assist our clients so they can achieve success; 
  • Make a difference in the public sector; and 
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment. 
THE ROLE
  • Plans kitchen operations, organizes workflow, and sets daily priorities
  • Schedules, assigns, supervises, and reviews staff work while maintaining kitchen procedures
  • Trains and supports staff, conducts or assists with performance evaluations, and coordinates with other units or agencies
  • Oversees food and supply inspections, requisitions, meal planning, and meal service
  • Ensures proper cleaning and maintenance of kitchen areas and equipment, and prepares reports or recommendations as needed
  • Performs full Cook‑level duties and related tasks as required


ABOUT US 
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is committed to promoting recovery, resilience, and wellness for individuals living with mental health and substance use conditions. Through a statewide network of hospital and community-based services, DMHAS provides compassionate, evidence-based care while supporting professional growth, collaboration, and innovation among its staff.

The Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) in Middletown, Connecticut, is a behavioral health treatment facility and a leader in providing comprehensive psychiatric and addiction services. CVH offers a dynamic, mission-driven environment where clinicians work alongside experienced multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality care, develop advanced clinical skills, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and families.

CVH’s vision and mission is to promote recovery through collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent treatment in a safe, healthy, and caring environment.  We provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life and return to the community.

CVH boasts a rich history first opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital, we provide treatment of mental illness and currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In our operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated in our recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process.

PLEASE NOTE:

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

This class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor for food service employees engaged in the preparation and cooking of food.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Plans kitchen workflow and determines priorities;
  • Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews work;
  • Establishes and maintains kitchen procedures;
  • Provides staff training and assistance;
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
  • Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
  • Inspects and requisitions food and supplies;
  • Supervises the cleaning of kitchen and other food service areas and of equipment;
  • May make recommendations on policies or standards;
  • May prepare reports and correspondence;
  • May plan menus and be responsible for serving of meals;
  • Performs the full range of duties as outlined in the Cook specification;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to apply cooking principles and techniques on a quantity basis;
    • institutional cooking methods;
  • Knowledge of health and safety requirements in food service;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • prepare menus and keep records;
    • utilize computer software;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience in the preparation and cooking of food.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the preparation of food on a quantity basis.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Cook.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
  • Incumbents must be free from communicable diseases.
  • A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to risk of injury from equipment and utensils used in the kitchen and from patients/clients.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.