Food Service Worker

As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders.

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State's career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.
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Open Date: 10/22/2026

Closing Date: October 29, 2026

Job Class Code: 8262
Grade: 05
Salary: $18.67 - $23.23 per hour*

Shift: 10:00a - 6:30p/ 3 week rotation

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

DESCRIPTION: This is maintenance and personal services work in preparing and serving food in institutional dining rooms, kitchens, and wards. Work involves some food and simple special diet preparation and related light housekeeping and kitchen cleanup tasks. Work is performed under immediate supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS: Cleans and washes pots, pans, and serving containers in order to comply with required cleanliness and sanitary standards. Cleans and washes work areas in order to comply with established safety and sanitary standards. Cleans tables, utensils, and storage shelves in order to comply with established sanitary standards. Prepares, processes, peels, and cuts vegetables and other food stuffs in order to assist with meal preparation. Practices good personal hygiene in order to present a neat, clean appearance. Serves food from steam tables and food carts in order to assist in providing meals to patients. Prepares simple foods such as eggs, toast, tea, coffee, and cereals in order to assist in meeting the nutritional needs of patients.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: Knowledge of use and care of food service equipment and utensils. Knowledge of methods and practices of food preparation and service. Ability to oversee residents in performance of simple tasks. Ability to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to write clearly and effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: No special coursework, training, or experience is required for entry to this classification. Some positions may require possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Agency information:

Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness. As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

For additional information about this position please contact Jennifer Iverson at 207-561-5425 or email jennifer.iverson@maine.gov.

To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. To request a paper application, please contact Theresa Peppard at theresa.m.peppard@maine.gov.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance - The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365