Fresh Listing

Posted: April 10, 2026 (1 day ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

DSHS Maple Lane Cook 2

State of Washington

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$3,495 - $4,653

per month

Closes

April 24, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a lead cook at a state health facility in Centralia, Washington, where you'll prepare nutritious meals for patients, ensure food safety, and guide kitchen staff to meet meal schedules.

It's ideal for someone with hands-on cooking experience in busy settings who enjoys leading a team and focusing on quality and hygiene.

You'll make a real difference in supporting patient wellness through good food.

Key Requirements

  • Two years of cooking experience in large-scale food service or culinary operations
  • Completion of a course in large-scale cooking (may substitute for one year of experience)
  • One year as a Cook 1 in state service (alternative qualification)
  • Ability to lead and train kitchen personnel
  • Knowledge of food safety, storage, and nutritional standards
  • Skills in planning work schedules, inventory management, and equipment checks
  • Valid driver's license (for state business travel)

Full Job Description

DSHS Maple Lane Cook 2

If you are passionate about creating high-quality meals and excited to have your culinary skills, make an impact, join the and utilize your cooking expertise at Maple Lane Campus in Centralia, WA!

As a Cook 2, you’ll be at the heart of our kitchen operations, preparing high-quality meals while ensuring food safety and nutritional excellence for our patients.

Put your culinary leadership talent to good use as part of our food service team.

Additional Information:

  • Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary

See Why People Like You Choose To Work Here:


Some of what you'll be doing:

  • Lead assigned kitchen personnel to ensure that all regular and special diets are correctly and safely prepared by complying with instruction and standard procedures.
  • Collaborate with the cooks to prepare meals in a timely manner, checking your work by taste and smell of the prepared foods to determine quality and palatability.
  • Establish work methods and instruct others in routine kitchen work, train assigned staff, plan and assign work duties.
  • Cook products as needed according to the standardized recipe, measuring and assembling ingredients for menu items, planning and initiating cooking schedule for food preparation to meet meal schedule.
  • Properly stores food items at appropriate temperatures and routinely checks equipment to ensure proper performance.
  • Completes food inventory requisition from storeroom, maintains an accurate and rotated food inventory of supplies for production and restocks the kitchen for subsequent shifts.
  • Other duties as assigned.


What we're looking for:

Two years' cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation.

Completion of course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience.

OR

One year as a Cook 1 in State service.

Why Join Us? We partner with people to access support, care, and resources. DSHS employees make a difference in WA State every day by supporting sustainable recovery, independence, and wellness.

Questions? Please contact vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference 03019.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Additional Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license.

Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.



E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on NEOGOV: 4/10/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/11/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5304279