Food Service Assistants - Mendota Mental Health Institute

Position Summary

As a Food Service Assistant, you will:

• serve meals to patients in one of three serving areas,
• clean and sanitize food trays and utensils,
• prepare desserts,
• transport food from kitchen to patient buildings,
• clean and sanitize pans,
• perform cleaning and sanitation tasks, and
• store food and supplies in storage areas.

Salary Information

Pay for this position is $18.00 per hour, plus excellent benefits. A 12-month probationary period is required.

A $3,000 sign-on bonus applies to those with no prior state service in the last five years; who stay with MMHI in the position until completing probation. Bonus will be split, $1,500 upon hire and $1,500 after completing probation.

Job Details

All applicants will be required to allow the DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any convictions may be related to the job being filled.

All appointees will be required to receive a TB test, which will be administered by MMHI or medical personnel approved by the facility prior to their start date.

These positions have physical requirements which may include but are not limited to lifting up to 50 lbs., pushing 100 lb. food carts, climbing ladders, bending, twisting, reaching, kneeling, stooping, standing, sitting and working on feet for extended periods of time. Applicants may be required to pass a physical evaluation to assess these requirements.

These positions require the ability to work in an environment that may be hot and humid with temperatures reaching 90 degrees for short periods of time.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have all of the following:

• Working scheduled hours as needed, which may include weekends, holidays, early mornings or early evenings, and overtime as needed.
• Experience with basic sanitation, hand washing and safety standards in a food service environment.
• The ability to follow written and oral instructions and accept work assignment changes as needed.
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Experience with food service in an institutional setting.
• Experience with safety and sanitation procedures including recording food temperatures, reducing food waste, and preventing food-borne illness/spoilage.

How To Apply

Information:

• Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline.
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position.
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered.
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs.
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact Shea O'Malley in Human Resources at shea.omalley@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is July 21, 2026 at 11:59 pm.