Cooks Helper: Part Time

ALL•Wyomissing, PA

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 serving menu items, accurate plate presentation and portion control, replenishing the serving line, and limited food preparation. The Cook’s Helper follows special-diet and dietary guidelines, maintains food quality and appropriate temperatures, and records leftovers and temperatures using production sheets. The position also includes kitchen and service-area cleaning, food labeling and storage, and compliance with sanitation, safety, and food-storage procedures. The employee works scheduled hours and rotating shifts; holiday work and work during inclement weather are required. The facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, or currently pursuing high school education.
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, adherence to schedules, and compliance with facility policies and confidentiality standards.
Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and perform cleaning tasks; attention to detail in food temperatures, labeling, and record-keeping.
Completion of Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment.
Required 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 continuously walking, climbing, crouching, reaching above the shoulder, and lifting; occasional pushing or pushing up to 350 pounds is also specified.

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 control, and follow special-diet and small-portion guidelines.
Follow SERV Safe procedures and maintain food quality, plate presentation, portion sizes, and the quality of food on the serving line.
Replenish food items as needed and inform the backup cook of needs in a timely manner.
Use the correct 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 up with meal-service time frames, including during peak service periods.
Wrap and label items with dates and use-by dates in reach-in and serving-line refrigerators.
Sweep and mop floors using proper techniques and established standards.
Clean cooking equipment and hoods using appropriate personal protective equipment and cleaning agents; follow sanitation checklists.
Complete opening and closing side work in accordance with sanitation procedures and guidelines.
Work assigned hours and days, follow time-clock procedures, observe attendance policy, and use Paycom procedures for posting or switching shifts with manager approval.
Report schedule deviations to the supervisor promptly and keep coworkers 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 and keep it from being disclosed 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.
Complete sanitation expectations for all areas.