Cook 1 - Norristown State Hospital

THE POSITION

Are you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and training in food service while having a positive impact on the lives of our patients? The Department of Human Services (DHS), Norristown State Hospital is seeking a reliable Cook 1. If you want to start a public service career that allows you to showcase your culinary experience in a large quantity food preparation setting, then we encourage you to apply today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Cook 1, you will perform specialized cooking tasks and food production services for 400 patients at the Norristown State Hospital. You will assign food production tasks, inspect food, operate kitchen equipment, and maintain food temperature controls. You will follow standard recipes, work as a tray runner, and attend cooking classes. This role requires the ability efficiently prepare regular meals, special meals, and follow sanitary guidelines while providing our patients with reliable food service.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. You will work every other weekend and holidays as assigned, with rotating days off. Your schedule may change based on operational needs.
• Overtime as needed
• Free parking
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Desirable Preparation for Work:

• Experience in cooking or quantity food preparation; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
• Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

In accordance with the seniority provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, this position was previously posted for seniority candidates. Since there were no seniority candidates, it is now open to all applicants.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

• You must provide complete and accurate information or:

• your score may be lower than deserved.

• you may be disqualified.

• You may only apply/test once for this posting.

• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

• Yes

02

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - OPERATES FOOD PREPARATION EQUIPMENT

Operates institutional/commercial kitchen equipment such as grinders, slicers, mixers, ovens, ranges, broilers, and other equipment in a food preparation operation.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A, I have independently operated institutional/commercial kitchen equipment in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military, or other food preparation operation.
• B. I have operated institutional/commercial kitchen equipment in my training; OR I have operated institutional/commercial kitchen equipment under close supervision while working in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military, or other food preparation operation.
• C. I have no experience or training in operating institutional/commercial kitchen equipment in a food preparation operation.

03

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer where you gained this experience.
• The name and type of facility where you gained this experience.
• The actual duties you performed.
• The types of food preparation equipment you have operated.
• Your level of responsibility.

04

If you have selected the level of performance related to training, please provide the requested information below.

If you indicated you have no training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• Training Source
• Course Title
• Credits/Clock Hours

05

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - CLEANS AND SANITIZES

Cleans and sanitizes utensils, kitchen equipment, work areas and surfaces, food storage areas, and floors in a food preparation operation.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have independently cleaned and sanitized areas and items in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, or other food preparation operation.
• B. I have cleaned and sanitized areas and items in my training; OR I have cleaned and sanitized areas and items under close supervision while working in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military, or other food preparation operation.
• C. I have no experience or training in cleaning and sanitizing areas and items in a food preparation operation.

06

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer where you gained this experience.
• The name and type of facility where you gained this experience.
• The actual duties you performed.
• The areas and items you have cleaned and sanitized
• Your level of responsibility.

07

If you have selected the level of performance related to training, please provide the requested information below.

If you indicated you have no training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• Training Source
• Course Title
• Credits/Clock Hours

08

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - PREPARES QUANTITIES OF FOOD AS REQUIRED

Prepares recipes and food items in correct amounts and in a timely manner following production schedules determined by the supervisor.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have independently prepared recipes and food items in correct amounts and in a timely manner as required in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military or other food preparation operation.
• B. I have prepared recipes and food items in correct amounts in a timely manner as required in my training; OR I have prepared recipes and food items in correct amounts in a timely manner under close supervision while working in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military, or other food preparation operation.
• C. I have no experience or training in preparing recipes and food items in correct amounts in a food preparation operation.

09

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer where you gained this experience.
• The name and type of facility where you gained this experience.
• The actual duties you performed.
• The types and quantities of foods you prepared on a regular basis.
• Your level of responsibility.

10

If you have selected the level of performance related to training, please provide the requested information below.

If you indicated you have no training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• Training Source
• Course Title
• Credits/Clock Hours

11

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - PREPARES AND HOLDS FOOD SAFELY

Prepares food using safe food-handling methods for defrosting, cooking, and holding.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have independently prepared food using safe food-handling methods in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military, or other food preparation operation.
• B. I have prepared food using safe food-handling methods in my training; OR I have prepared food using safe food-handling methods under close supervision while working in a restaurant, medical/aging/rehabilitation facility, school, military or other food preparation operation.
• C. I have no experience or training in preparing food using safe food-handling methods in a food preparation operation.

12

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer where you gained this experience.
• The name and type of facility where you gained this experience.
• The actual duties you performed.
• The safe food-handling methods you used.
• Your level of responsibility.

13

If you have selected the level of performance related to training, please provide the requested information below.

If you indicated you have no training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• Training Source
• Course Title
• Credits/Clock Hours

14

CERTIFICATIONS

Do you hold current safe food-handling certifications for any of the following:

• Pennsylvania Food Employee Certification
• ServSafe
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
• Yes
• No

15

If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the Issuing Body, Certificate Number, and Expiration Date for certifications you currently hold. If you answered no, type N/A in the box below.

Required Question

Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

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