Posting number: 2026-06443

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: BHHA

Job classification: COOK 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Food Services, Nutrition

Summary

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 our Child Study and Treatment Center 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 schedule for this position is: Workdays Saturday - Wednesday.
- Days off are Thursday and Friday.
- Weekdays are 5:45AM - 2:15PM; Weekends are 6:15AM - 2:45PM.

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.

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 06443.
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.

Supplemental 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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

DSHS CSTC Cook 2

Key skills

About this role

Summary

Supplemental information