Kitchen Operations Specialist/Cook

Lincoln Regional Center (LRC) is a 24-hour, state-operated psychiatric hospital that provides specialized inpatient treatment and recovery-focused services for adults experiencing serious mental health conditions. As a secure healthcare facility, LRC offers around-the-clock care, support, and supervision in a structured therapeutic environment. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to promote patient safety, recovery, skill development, and successful community reintegration.

About the role

Lincoln Regional Center is looking for a dependable Kitchen Operations Specialist/Cook to help keep our kitchen running smoothly. This is more than a cooking position—you'll be responsible for preparing meals, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, following food safety standards, and ensuring patients receive nutritious, high-quality meals.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and serve meals, including special diet requirements.
• Independently manage daily kitchen operations during assigned shifts.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen.
• Wash dishes, cookware, and kitchen equipment.
• Operate commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Follow food safety, sanitation, and infection control procedures.
• Work as part of a supportive team while confidently handling responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Requirements

• Experience preparing meals in a restaurant, healthcare, school, correctional, cafeteria, or other commercial kitchen.
• Knowledge of safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• The ability to stay organized and prioritize multiple tasks.
• A strong work ethic and dependability.
• Confidence working independently while maintaining quality and efficiency.
• Coursework, training and/or experience in food preparation, baking and/or kitchen operations in the food service industry or related field.
• Must be 18 years of age and be able to stand on feet for 4 hours and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an institutional kitchen environment, such as a hospital, behavioral health facility, long-term care facility, school, correctional facility, or other large-scale food service operation.
• Experience independently preparing and cooking meals in a commercial kitchen setting.
• Experience with food safety, sanitation practices, special diets, and maintaining efficient kitchen operations.

Skills

• Commercial and institutional kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and meal production.
• Food safety, sanitation standards, and safe food handling practices.
• Preparation methods for meats, vegetables, soups, salads, baked goods, and special diets.
• Operation, cleaning, and maintenance of commercial kitchen equipment.
• Proper storage, organization, and handling of food supplies.
• Ability to independently prepare and cook meals while managing daily kitchen responsibilities.
• Ability to follow recipes, menus, production schedules, and special diet requirements.
• Ability to maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen environment.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment safely, including sharp, hot, and heavy equipment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a healthcare food service team.

Pay

$18.478/hour + $3.00/hour Facility Differential + Shift Differential for eligible evening hours.

Schedule

10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Wednesday & Thursday off

Benefits

• Competitive pay with additional facility and shift differentials.
• Stable full-time State employment.
• Retirement plan with a 156% match on the first 4.8% you contribute.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• Comprehensive health benefits.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave.