Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Cook I – Posting #25414

Hourly Rate: $19.25

Position Summary:

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is seeking a full-time Cook I for the Youth Treatment Facility. This position is located in Bellingham, Whatcom County. 

Person in this position will prepare all resident and children meals (as appropriate to your shift) and will assist in preparation of foods/meals for special functions/catering.

As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. 

Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:

• Understanding and empathizing with client needs
• Surpassing client expectations
• Demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Exhibiting compassion and commitment
• Advocating for social justice
• Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
• Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology

As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Prepare the meals according to menus and standardized recipes provided. 
• Receive, unpack and inventory food deliveries. 
• Store raw/uncooked foods according to sanitary temperature policy and procedure. 
• Assists in the development and implementation of standardized recipes and menus for both, regular and therapeutic diets.  
• Assists in preparation of foods/meals for special functions/catering as requested by the Food Services Director.
• Oversees storage of cooked foods, i.e.,   coverings labels, dates, etc.
• Ensures “rotation” use of stored, cooked foods, i.e., “first in, first out”. 
• Provides support to Dietary Aides on tray lines and resident floors as able to, or as necessary. 
• Demonstrates cost awareness in preparation, storage and rotation use of all food products, with an emphasis on minimization of waste and spoilage. 
• Maintains standards of safety and sanitation at all times, setting the examples for all other food service employees. 
• Attends all required in-service training sessions and investigates ways of upgrading professional skills. 
• Participates in/attends Sea-Mar/community events. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Participate in organizational activities/functions. 

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience cooking in an institutional setting. 
• Minimum 1 year supervisory experience preferred. 
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Training including food safety and sanitation required. 
• Food Handlers Permit.
• Demonstrated skills in preparation of "traditional" ethnic Hispanic foods. 
• Organizational and team building skills required.
• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural preferred.
• Must take and pass a TB test, at time of hire and annually.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or possess a COVID vaccine exemption.

Work Environment:

• Hazards typical of institutional kitchens (i.e., hot cooking surfaces, sharp objects, large equipment, wet floors).  Handles cleaning supplies.
• Requires a great deal of walking and standing for long periods of time, as well as pushing carts,  working with hot foods;  and moderate lifting (max 45 Lb.)

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.

We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, complete the online application and click SUBMIT or APPLY NOW. If you have any questions regarding the position, email Leslie Blake, Program Manager at [email protected]  Please reference the posting number on the subject of your email. 

Sea Mar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted: 8/3/2023

External candidates considered after: 8/8/2023

This position is represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply thru our Career page at https://www.seamar.org/jobs-general.html