Kitchen Service Worker I

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) under the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking qualified Kitchen Services Worker to prepare and serve food, adhering to therapeutic diets. Kitchen Services Worker are responsible for preparing and/or building food items while providing customer service and adhering to food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures. The incumbent is responsible for assembling, delivering and retrieving patient meal trays and working in the dish room, cleaning equipment and dishware.

Please Note: The schedule for this position is full-time, 40 hours/week, 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM, with Thursday & Friday as the days off.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assembles food, beverages, and service ware for the tray line and cafeteria following instructions on diet cards.
• Prepares and cooks simple dishes such as sandwiches, salads, soups, etc.
• Inspects assigned areas to determine that work has been performed according to established procedures.
• Cleans surfaces including floors, interior walls, ceilings, windows, and furniture by sweeping and mopping, using appropriate supplies and equipment.
• Delivers and returns food, beverages and service ware to and from the units and cafeteria.
• Prepares and breaks down dish room, scrapes dishes, operates dish machine, cleans dish room and dishware according to procedures.
• Adheres to all hospital dietary policies and procedures regarding food service sanitation and safety.
• Communicates in a polite manner with consumers and staff.

Required Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the approved sanitary methods and procedures for the care and use of dining room equipment.
• Experience utilizing the materials and procedures used in handling, preparation and cooking of simple dishes on a large scale.
• Ability to work with physically, mentally or emotionally patient populations.
• Competent in following simple oral or written instructions.
• Physical ability to perform the manual tasks assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior food service experience
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, push/pull, and lift.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH):

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) opened October 2012. The 320‐bed recovery center and hospital serves 260 adults and 60 adolescents through an innovative design and provides a state‐of‐the‐art environment for patients and staff. For many years to come, WRCH will serve to instill hope and forward the promise of recovery from mental illness and a life of independence and self-determination for all those who pass through.

Learn more about WRCH:

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research.

Learn more about our important work:

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at , Option 4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least six months of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience in building custodial or institutional housekeeping work.

Special Requirements: None

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards

Title 101 CMR "Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Kitchen Services Worker I

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Worcester - 309 Belmont Street

Job: Food Services

Agency: Department of Mental Health

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Oct 29, 2025, 12:16:13 PM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 40, ,308.40 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: William Herbert

Bargaining Unit: 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: No