Cook

Job Description:

Job Title: Cook

Location: Springfield, Missouri

Department: Recovery Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary:

Are you passionate about preparing nutritious meals that make a meaningful difference in people's lives? Join our compassionate and collaborative team where your culinary skills directly support the health and recovery of those we serve. This role offers the opportunity to work in a mission-driven environment, utilize your creativity in meal preparation, contribute to a supportive team culture, and build meaningful connections with clients and coworkers. We're looking for someone who is reliable, detail-oriented, adaptable, and motivated to provide high-quality food service in a care-centered setting.

The Cook prepares and serves meals on a large scale in accordance with established menus and USDA guidelines, ensuring nutritional standards and food safety compliance. This role includes coordinating food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, monitoring supplies, and collaborating with team members to meet client dietary needs, including special accommodations when necessary.

This position offers…

• Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Mileage Reimbursement - Company paid for work functions requiring travel
• Employee Discounts - Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
• Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
• Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and serve nutritious meals in accordance with established menus, dietary guidelines, and food safety standards
• Coordinate daily meal preparation by organizing ingredients, thawing items, and planning ahead for efficient service
• Create alternative meal options to accommodate dietary restrictions and client needs
• Maintain accurate logs for food temperatures, equipment usage, menu substitutions, and meal documentation
• Monitor food quality and minimize waste by properly storing and utilizing leftovers within required timeframes
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, dishes, and work areas while ensuring proper restocking of supplies
• Collaborate with team members and other departments to support client needs and enhance service delivery
• Assist with inventory tracking and communicate supply needs to ensure uninterrupted kitchen operations
• Support preparation for upcoming meals and special events as needed
• Report equipment malfunctions and maintain a safe, organized kitchen environment

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Minimum of one year of employment history required
• Basic understanding of nutrition preferred
• Knowledge of large-scale food preparation and cooking methods
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively, including following written instructions and documenting information
• Ability to perform basic math calculations and apply logical problem-solving skills

Additional Qualifications:

• Current driver's license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance required
• Successful completion of background checks, including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint screening
• Must provide evidence of being free from infectious and contagious diseases (e.g., TB test) prior to employment and annually thereafter
• Must successfully complete First Aid training
• Must successfully complete ServSafe certification
• Must obtain Hepatitis A vaccination prior to handling food products (if applicable based on role requirements)
• Demonstrates adaptability, reliability, initiative, creativity, and a cooperative attitude
• Ability to follow direction, accept supervision, and work collaboratively with a team

Physical Requirements

• Perform sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and minimal force frequently to move objects
• Sit for extended periods with occasional walking or standing as needed
• Perform repetitive hand, finger, and arm movements for food preparation, documentation, and basic tasks

Keywords: Cook, Food Service, Meal Preparation, Nutrition, Kitchen Staff, Food Safety, ServSafe, Dietary Services, Food Production, Kitchen Operations

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.