Cook-Chill Specialist / Food Service Specialist III

Job Responsibilities

With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.

This position is located at the Department of Mental Health Crafts-Farrow, 7901 Farrow Rd, Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Cook-Chill Specialist /Food Service Specialist II, you will work under the Operations Manager and/or Kitchen Manager preparing various types and styles of food using food service preparation equipment, specializing in the use of technically advanced Cook-Chilled food production methods, in compliance with department, local, state and federal guidelines.

Responsibilities as the Cook-Chill Specialist include but not limited to:

• Plans, coordinates, prepares and manufactures all cook-chill foods from standardized recipes following the quantity and quality requirements while adhering to the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) food safety and regulatory requirements compliance for all product production. Performs all measuring, weighing and inventorying of all Cook-Chill products processed and distributed.

• Operates and maintains highly technical Cook-Chill food production equipment, rethermalization processes and follows all established procedures for cleaning and sanitizing Cook-Chill equipment.

• Leads staff in and demonstrates culinary skills of food preparation to include, but not limited to, meat trimming, slicing, grinding, soups/sauces/gravy preparation, salad and vegetable texture processing, dessert baking and preparation (planning and packaging) and casserole preparation. Leads staff in meeting required daily production in absence of Kitchen Manager.

• Maintains records for inventory, quality control, quality assurance, sanitation check list, temperature, charts and all other records necessary for the operation of the production area. Maintains HACCP standards compliance in all work areas. Print ingredient labels for all bagged Cook-Chilled products.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A high school diploma and supervisory experience in quantity and quality cooking or baking. ServSafe certification within three (3) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments

The selected candidate must have the ability to read and comprehend complex recipes. Must meet physical requirements (ability to manually lift 50 pounds repetitively, push over 100 pounds, walk or stand for extended periods of time, bend, stoop, reach, pull, push, and climb stairs). May encounter temperatures ranging from -10 degrees F to 400 degrees around equipment. This is an essential position and requires the individual to work during an emergency and/or hazardous weather.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency. We provide affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex - including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability.

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. Please account for any and all gaps of employment in your application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of application completion nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs