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Posted: January 14, 2026 (1 day ago)

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DSHS WSH Cook 2

State of Washington

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$3,495 - $4,653

per month

Closes

January 22, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a Cook 2 at Western State Hospital, where you'll prepare nutritious meals for patients, lead kitchen staff, and ensure everything runs smoothly and safely in a busy hospital kitchen.

It's ideal for someone with experience in large-scale cooking who enjoys training others and maintaining high food quality standards.

The role involves a Tuesday-Saturday shift and offers perks like premium pay for on-site work.

Key Requirements

  • Two years of cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation
  • 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 meal preparation, inventory management, and equipment checks
  • Availability for Tuesday-Saturday shift from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Full Job Description

DSHS OHBH 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 Western State Hospital (WSH) in Lakewood, 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:

  • Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
  • 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
  • The shift for this position is: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:30AM - 7:00PM

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 alex.baclaan@dshs.wea.gov or call the main Talent Acquisition line at 360-725-5810 and reference 00276.

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.



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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/14/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/15/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5196123