Senior Cook

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

As a Senior Cook, you'll be responsible for all preparation of daily meals for the Delaware Hospital for Chronically Ill. You will prepare all meals by following the production cycles, recipes, and Delaware Food Code at all times. Within this role, you will document food temperatures for daily menus and complete production sheets; monitor quality control daily as well as compliance with safety/sanitation in the department warehouse, storeroom, and kitchen to comply with the Delaware Food Code.

In addition, you will also provide guidance to lower-level cooks on shift.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Applies food service principles, practices and methods governing food preparation activities such as food handling, proper storage and temperature control, cleaning of kitchen equipment and utensils to comply with safety and sanitary standards.
• Complies with applicable state and federal rules and regulations.
• Operates various commercial kitchen equipment such as dishwashers, ovens, toasters, meat slicers, choppers, deep fryers, food processors, steam pots, blenders, and mixers.
• Prepares and cooks a variety of food items by baking, frying, and broiling, gathering and measuring ingredients according to standardized menus/recipes and dietetic guidelines.
• May prepare requisitions for food items and other needed supplies.
• Attends Department approved training programs.

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Three years experience in institutional or commercial cooking and baking.
• Six months experience in proper safety, storage and sanitation standards for food items.
• Knowledge of record keeping.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. DHSS does not provide employment‑based sponsorship. Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.

The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire. Pre‑employment drug testing:
Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre‑employment drug testing as part of the hiring process. Upon a conditional offer, the applicant must undergo a pre‑employment base line two step tuberculin skin test (TST) as part of the hiring process. All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment.

Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling  or by visiting  If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call  or email jobs.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.