Food Service Worker 1 - South Mountain Restoration Center

About the Department

Do you have a passion for food and enjoy interacting with others? The Food Service Worker 1 position with the Department of Human Services offers a chance to support the daily well-being of residents at South Mountain Restoration Center. This role helps create a positive dining experience by preparing meals and keeping work areas organized. You will learn valuable skills while working in a supportive environment. This position provides a meaningful way to contribute to the health and comfort of others.

Nestled in the scenic mountains near Michaux State Forest, South Mountain Restoration Center is a skilled nursing home facility that provides long-term care and is operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Position Duties

This position supports the preparation, assembly, and delivery of meals for residents in a clean and safe environment. The work helps maintain smooth food service operations and ensures residents receive proper nutrition. As a Food Service Worker 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Food Storage: Store food items and supplies in assigned areas and maintain proper organization
• Meal Preparation: Portion foods, prepare simple items, and set up supplies for tray assembly
• Tray Assembly: Set up tray lines, portion foods, and assemble resident meal trays
• Sanitation Tasks: Clean and sanitize equipment, work areas, and utensils to maintain safe conditions
• Transport Duties: Move food, carts, and supplies between areas as needed
• Waste Handling: Dispose of trash, garbage, and soiled linens in appropriate receptacles

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 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Sunday - Saturday. Requires rotating on and off duty days, including weekends and holidays, with a 30-minute flexible lunch break. Your schedule may change based on operational needs.
• Overtime: As needed
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
Additional Requirement:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Willingness to work in Franklin County, Pennsylvania 
• Experience in the food service industry
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation requirements in a dietary department or food service operation
• Experience in the following tasks:
  • Cleaning, washing, peeling, slicing, and dicing vegetables
  • Using kitchen equipment such as a vertical cutter mixer (VCM), a food processor, a tabletop chopper, and a garbage disposal
  • Chopping, dicing, and slicing meats, poultry, fish, and cheeses
  • Grilling, steaming, and heating simple foods such as eggs, sandwiches, and hamburgers
  • Preparing sandwiches, assembling salads, and serving portions, including desserts
  • Preparing and serving hot or cold beverages
  • Cleaning and sanitizing equipment, utensils, dishes, pots, pans, work surfaces, and other kitchen items
  • Assisting in loading and unloading food delivery trucks
  • Transporting food and supplies to and from freezers, refrigerators, and storerooms
• Experience in one or more of the following areas or settings:
  • Assisted living or long-term care facility
  • Correctional facility
  • Hospital
  • Nursing home or long-term care facility
  • Fast food
  • Family or small chain restaurant
  • Large chain restaurant
  • Cafeteria
  • School lunch program
  • Selective menu
  • Food cart set-up
  • Reading meal-tray tickets or tags
  • Tray assembly or working on a tray line 
  • Operating commercial kitchen equipment
  • Interaction with patients, residents, and customers while serving food or cleaning in a dining room

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.

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).
• 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.  
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.

Benefits

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.

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov