Cooks Helper: Part Time

The Highlands At Wyomissing•Wyomissing, PA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook’s Helper is a part-time member of the culinary team in a senior living health care facility. The role supports resident meal service through line service, accurate plate presentation, portion control, and limited food preparation. The Cook’s Helper ensures food quality, follows dietary guidelines, replenishes serving-line items, uses ingredients and accompaniments correctly, and communicates service needs to kitchen staff. The position also involves maintaining kitchen and service-area cleanliness, cleaning cooking equipment and refrigeration units, following sanitation and safety protocols, and properly storing food and documenting temperatures and leftovers. The facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts, holidays, and work during inclement weather are required. The employee must complete the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment and participate in ongoing required training.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or currently being pursued by a high school student.
0–1 year of prior serving experience in the food service industry.
Knowledge of portion control, special diets, plate presentation, and SERV Safe sanitation procedures.
Ability to work efficiently during peak service times while maintaining food quality and presentation standards.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to coordinate with kitchen staff and follow supervisor instructions.
Reliable attendance, schedule adherence, and compliance with facility policies and confidentiality standards.
Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and perform cleaning tasks, with attention to detail in food temperatures, labeling, and record-keeping.
Completion of Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment.
Medical screening, criminal history clearance, and Immigration and Naturalization (I-9) clearance; FBI fingerprint clearance is required only for applicants who have not lived in Pennsylvania for the last two years.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including continuous walking, climbing, crouching, reaching above shoulder level, and lifting; see physical requirements described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with the senior population.
SERV Safe certification.

Responsibilities

Serve menu items to residents according to checks or selector tickets.
Use proper utensils and portion menu items appropriately, including following special-diet and small-portion guidelines.
Follow SERV Safe procedures and maintain food quality, proper plate presentation, portion sizes, and quality on the serving line.
Replenish food items as needed and notify the backup cook of needs in a timely manner.
Use the designated sauces, gravies, and side dishes for menu items; know the menu and its ingredients.
Serve food at proper temperatures and use production sheets to record leftovers and temperatures.
Keep pace with service time frames, including during peak meal periods.
Wrap and label items in reach-in and serving-line refrigerators with dates and use-by dates.
Sweep and mop floors using proper techniques and meet established standards.
Clean cooking equipment using appropriate personal protective equipment and cleaning agents; clean hoods and complete sanitation checklists.
Complete opening and closing side work and sanitation tasks according to procedures and guidelines.
Work assigned scheduled hours and days, follow time-clock procedures, and observe attendance and shift-change policies, including obtaining manager approval where required.
Report schedule deviations to the supervisor in a timely manner and keep staff informed of changes in work orders or rules.
Communicate openly and honestly with coworkers and supervisors; listen effectively to supervisors, residents, and staff.
Protect confidential information from disclosure to outside parties.
Stay current with assigned training and complete required ongoing training, monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competency education, and role-specific certifications.
Meet sanitation expectations in all assigned areas.