Cook's Helper (2 Positions, Full-Time, 40 hrs., Academic Year)

2 full-time, academic-year positions (40 hrs./wk).

About the Role

To work as a helper to a cook or baker by performing simple tasks in the preparation of foods and beverages (hot or cold) in a kitchen of a state institution; or to perform food services duties in a dining room or cafeteria served by this kitchen; to work in the food preparation areas or to operate the pan and rack washing machine in the central food processing plant; or to perform duties necessary to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and related areas.

Work is performed under the close supervision of a superior who provides detailed and explicit instructions; work is reviewed for compliance with such instructions. As required, may supervise the work of patient or inmate help.

Responsibilities

• As helper to a cook:
  • Wash, peel, chop, dice, or grind vegetables, fruits, and other foods for cooking or salads.
  • Prepare simple foods such as toast, coffee, tea, chocolate, cereal, eggs, sandwiches; stir soup; boil potatoes or other vegetables.
  • Assemble diet trays and arrange food as instructed for patient service.
  • Load food onto food trucks or place food in steam tables.
  • Set up dining tables for service; serve food in a cafeteria from steam tables.
  • Collect trays, soiled dishes, cutlery, and glassware after meals; dispose of scrap or leftover foods.
  • Wash dishes manually or in an automatic dishwashing machine; wash cutlery and glassware and store them for reuse.
  • Clean and wash food trucks, dishwashing machines, iceboxes, walk-in refrigerators, and other kitchen equipment and utensils.
  • Clean and wash down the kitchen, cafeteria, and related dining areas.
• As helper to a baker:
  • Assemble materials and weigh, measure, and mix ingredients by hand or in an electric-powered mixing machine.
  • Roll dough, fill pans with dough or batter, and place goods in or remove them from ovens.
  • Carry materials to a baker or machines; deposit ingredients in containers; grease pans; line pans with greased paper.
  • Move racks or rack trucks of dough, batter, or baked goods to and from ovens.
  • Clean bakery areas and related equipment and utensils.
• In the central food processing plant:
  • Work as a helper to cooks, bakers, and meat cutters in assembling, portioning, packaging, and transporting materials.
  • Operate pan and rack washing machines; wash pots and pans.
  • Clean work areas and refrigerators.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Capacities:

• Familiarity with methods and procedures in cooking, baking, food service, and kitchen or bakery cleaning.
• Ability to understand and follow simple verbal or written directions.
• Ability to exercise care in handling, washing, drying, and storing cooking or baking equipment and glassware.

Education and Experience:

• Sufficient education to follow simple verbal directions.
• Experience as a helper in a kitchen or bakery in a hospital, hotel, or restaurant, performing routine work in food preparation, food service, and related tasks.
• Any combination of education and experience that is substantially equivalent to the above.

Schedule

• Position #210: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – 10:30 am to 9:00 pm.
• Position #426: Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 10:30 am to 9:00 pm.
• Work hours and days off will vary during August, J-Term, and Spring Break.
• Academic year dates: August 9, 2026 through May 15, 2027.

Pay

Academic year salary range: $33,619 – $35,865, plus an additional $3,200 annually for shift differential.

Benefits

• Tuition waiver for CCRI, RIC, and URI for the successful candidate, spouse, and dependents (if applicable).
• Paid time off and paid state holidays.
• Mandatory retirement plan.
• Additional benefits available; see exploreemployeebenefits.ri.gov for details.