Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Bargaining UnitISU - Institutional Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $59787 to $72429 Annually
Duties Description PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• The Head Cook supervises the entire secure food service operation. This includes staffing of the Grade 11 cooks, FSW 2’s, and the vocational program. Head cook performs interviews, performance evaluations, disciplinary counseling, and completes TIMES of all staff. Also schedules employees to complete required trainings including SLMS, Fire Safety, PROMOTE, etc.
• Responsible for ONLINE food ordering, receiving, storing, rotating, and dispensing all food and nonfood items in accordance with ICF/NYS Department of Health Guidelines.
• Works directly with the NSA 1/RD on The Emergency Preparedness Plan; specifically, the limited menu, cooking options, and the rotation of items to prevent food waste.
• The Head Cook communicates directly with other Departments to coordinate special functions and events as well as preparing cooked items for such events including outings/bag lunches.
• Works with the NSA 1/RD to plan meals and purchase foods for people requiring special diets to include allergies, religious accommodations, as well as consistency modifications. Responsible for recipe development and scaling to meet needs.
• Tests foods for proper temperature and taste with adjustments as needed. Maintains these records.
• Oversees the mentoring program in the department to include assignments, instructions, and communications directly with the Rehabilitation Coordinator.
• Maintains inventory of food and non-food items to include par levels, rotation schedules, proper storage facilities, and pest control.
• Functions as the liaison to housing units, maintenance, nursing, recreation department and other staff members to assist with needs and requests.
• The Head Cook will be proficient in the OPWDD Choking Prevention Initiative Guide with a knowledge of food consistencies and preparation of all the consistencies listed in the Guide. Directly supervise FSW 2’s in the preparation of modified consistencies and report concerns to the NSA 1/RD.
• Skilled knowledge of how to use, sanitize, and maintain all equipment used in food production. Coordinate equipment purchases with the maintenance department and submit SDC 1’s for purchase.
• Other duties as assigned.
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Minimum Qualifications Non-competitive: five years of experience in large scale cooking, two years of which must have included regular supervision of subordinate employees or working incarcerated individuals. An associate degree or higher in culinary arts or food service may substitute for two years of general cooking experience.
Additional Comments • For CSEA positions: Local Bidding Agreements will be honored.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:
° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training:
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit cover letter and résumé by March 17, 2026 to:
Sunmount-OHRM
2445 State Route 30
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
E-Mail: sunmount.careers@opwdd.ny.gov
Phone: (518) 359-4150
Fax: (518) 359-4161
Please reference the above EOA # 26-37 in all correspondence.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.