STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Cook (37.5 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #250604-2210TC-001

Introduction


Elevate your career in healthcare food service - join our team providing essential nutrition at Connecticut Valley Hospital!

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is hiring for an experienced Cook to join their team. In this role you will prepare a high volume of meals in a fast-paced environment. If you're ready for a dynamic kitchen environment, especially with prior healthcare food service experience, we encourage you to apply! 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
  • LOCATION: CVH Battell Kitchen
  • ADDRESS: Middletown, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time (37.5 hours weekly), First shift, 5:30 AM - 6:00 PM, three days per week, may include weekend coverage
  • POSITION NUMBER: 27384
  • NOTE: This position is eligible for shift differential and weekend differential pay.
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
  • Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
  • Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
  • Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Assist in the preparation of approximately 800+ meals, 3 times per day, for a total of 2,500 meals per day
    • Perform essential duties of the kitchen, including the regular lifting of cases weighing 40+ pounds
    • Contribute your culinary skills to a division dedicated to improving client well-being through wholesome meals
    • Play a direct role in our clients' success by preparing high-quality, special diet, and regular meals
    • Make a tangible difference in the public sector by ensuring consistent and safe food service
    • Collaborate effectively within a kitchen team, operating various equipment to deliver daily meals
    ABOUT US:
    DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

    ABOUT THE FACILITY:
    Established in 1868, CVH serves as the State's premier public hospital for mental health treatment. As the largest facility within DMHAS, it features 17 inpatient units across Middletown and Hartford campuses, encompassing general psychiatry and addiction services. CVH offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and specialized services for pregnant women and individuals with dual diagnoses. Specialties include geriatric and special services, an integrated mental health network for older adults, and young adult services. Additionally, CVH houses the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program, addressing survivors' needs through community reintegration, independent living skills development, vocational and educational training, psychiatric assessments, speech and physical rehabilitation, and individual and family counseling.

    Please note:
    LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES - STATE OF CONNECTICUT

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

    Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
    • 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: 

    • 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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@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 independently performing a full range of tasks involved in preparing and cooking food.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Prepares and cooks a wide variety of foods including special diets; 
    • Operates various types of cooking equipment such as stoves, ovens, steam cookers, mixing machines, choppers, etc.; 
    • Cleans kitchen areas and equipment; 
    • Rotates stock on a regular basis; 
    • Assists with the ordering of food and supplies; 
    • Inspects food received; 
    • May serve food or assist in serving; 
    • May prepare production records; 
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of
      • and ability to apply cooking principles and techniques on a quantity basis; 
      • liquid and dry weights and measures; 
      • health and safety requirements in food service; 
    • Skills
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
    • Ability to
      • utilize computer software; 
      • prepare menus and keep records; 
      • perform mathematical calculations.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Two (2) years of experience in the preparation of food on a quantity basis.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    Successful completion of a cook training course under the auspices of state or federal apprentice training bureaus may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience working in a hospital or psychiatric setting 
    • Experience working with the following: Convection Ovens, Tilt Skillet, 100 Gallon Kettles, pressure Steamers, as well as Commercial Slicers and Choppers

    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 individuals.

    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.