Cook/Food Service Worker

West Virginia University Hospitals (WVUH) is seeking a dedicated and experienced Cook/Food Service Worker to join our dynamic catering team. This position requires strong food preparation skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service. This role will play a key part in our successful catering operations.

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Safely prepares food according to recipes and projected amounts, ensuring food is served at the correct temperature, and documenting temperatures.
• Stores food according to FDA Food Code and department policies. Cleans work areas and equipment.
• Works with managers to improve food quality, try new recipes, and control costs.
• Serves customers in a polite and friendly manner.
• Ensures all work areas are prepared for operation; sets up bars and lines; restocks, cleans, and straightens as needed.
• Completes cleaning assignments; gathers ingredients efficiently; checks coolers for leftovers and plans for use.
• Produces and maintains quality food and beverage products; prepares attractive and appetizing foods utilizing quality ingredients.
• Prepares timely products, fresh throughout service, and not in excess (batch production). Follows menu cycle and projected servings; utilizes standardized recipes with attention to modified diets, Ornish menus, and advertised healthy items.
• Correctly portions food; properly stores, labels, and dates leftovers and products to cool, following MCHD rules for cooling.
• Provides quality service to result in customer/patient satisfaction; serves customers in a timely manner following customer service training.
• Addresses complaints in a polite and professional manner; documents temperatures and acts on unacceptable temperatures.
• Ensures equipment is functioning properly; acts on issues. (On room service line, ensures plates are hot, properly garnished, diet restrictions are followed, and plates have an appealing appearance).
• Keeps pace with the rest of the meal assembly; maintains 2.5 to 3 trays per minute in peak times.
• Merchandises area through attractive and orderly arrangement; keeps area clean throughout service.
• Merchandises area through attractive and informative displays and garnishes (includes signage, labels, and price stickers in retail areas).
• Communicates with servers regarding portion size, number of pans prepared, location of pans, and ingredients.
• During serving periods, checks with service staff to determine if more of an item should be prepared to prevent run-outs. Ensures all activities meet sanitation, safety, and quality control guidelines set forth by MCHD and departmental policies.
• May be asked to perform duties typical of dietetic assistants and dietetic specialists.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Food Service Worker Permit (FSWP) from the Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) prior to starting employment, OR obtain a temporary MCHD FSWP no later than the first Wednesday of employment and a permanent FSWP within 1 month of the start date (next available class). Must maintain a valid MCHD FSWP throughout employment.
• Must successfully pass a WV DHHR Protected Services Record Check and WV CARES fingerprint-based criminal background check if assigned to the Child Development Center, Chestnut Ridge Center, or Center for Hope and Healing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• 2 years of quantity cooking experience (hot production)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.

Working Environment:

• Ability to effectively work in a noisy setting and under deadline pressures.
• Ability to stand for 100% of the working day.
• May encounter temperature variations such as entering freezers, refrigerators, and working with steam-jacketed kettles, grills, etc.
• Work area may be hot, cold, and/or wet.

Additional Information:

• Shift: Primarily 3rd shift with rotating weekend and holiday schedules.
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt
• Location: 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Cost Center: 602 WVUH Catering
• Company: WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

WVU Medicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity among our workforce and invite applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, language, national origin, religious affiliation, spiritual practice, age, mental and physical ability/disability or Veteran status.

• Valid Food Service Worker Permit (FSWP) required.
• Training provided for food service tasks.
• Potential for career growth within the organization.
• Experiential learning in quantity cooking.

• Ability to prepare food according to recipes and standards.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and sanitation practices.
• Minimum 2 years of quantity cooking experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills for recipes and communication.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull 50 lbs.