Cook Lead

Cook Lead
$23.00-$25.00/hour | Full-Time Days
Location: Highview in the Woodlands | Rockton, IL

Highview in the Woodlands, a Wesley Willows community, is hiring a Cook Lead to bring great food to our kitchen. You’ll help prepare fresh, nutritious meals tailored to residents’ tastes and dietary needs, and assist our Culinary leadership with scheduling, ordering, and inventory. If you want to make an impact by helping to keep the kitchen running smoothly and make every meal something our residents look forward to, this opportunity might be for YOU! 

Why Join Us?

• Make an Impact: Play an essential role in creating a positive dining experience for residents and guests
• Competitive Pay: $23.00 – $25.00/hour + credit for experience
• Schedule: Full-Time | Days 6:00 am - 3:00pm | Weekend and holiday rotation required | Flexibility to cover PM shifts
• Supportive Team: We value our team members just as much as the people we serve

What You'll Do:

• Prepare, cook, and present meals in accordance with approved menus, recipes, portion guidelines, and established quality standards.
• Perform all regular line cook responsibilities, including food preparation, cooking, plating, and meal service.
• Ensure meals meet resident preferences, allergies, food sensitivities, and prescribed dietary modifications, including texture-modified diets, as communicated by authorized personnel.
• Partner with the Dining Manager, nursing team, and Registered Dietitian to stay current on resident dietary needs and deliver a consistent, high-quality dining experience.
• Guide, train, and support culinary team members on food prep, service expectations, sanitation, and kitchen procedures to keep operations organized and efficient.
• Assist with employee scheduling and identifying upcoming coverage needs, food and supply ordering, inventory management, and receiving deliveries, using departmental systems and basic computer tools.
• Uphold federal, Illinois, and local food safety and sanitation standards, maintaining accurate temperature, sanitation, and inventory records and supporting inspection readiness.
• Create a warm, respectful dining experience, showing patience and compassion with every resident.

What You'll Need:

• Prior experience providing shift guidance or supporting daily kitchen operations (required)
• 1-2 years of professional cooking experience in an elevated/fine-dining setting (required)
• Previous experience cooking in assisted living, memory care, senior living, healthcare, or an institutional setting (preferred)
• Active ServeSafe/Food Safety Managers Certification, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire (required)
• High school graduate or equivalent (required)
• Must be 18 years of age to operate potentially hazardous equipment (required)

Benefits Available to Qualified Employees:

• Financial Wellness Perks: Access earned wages before payday through ZayZoon, plus tools and resources to support your financial well-being.
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Mail Order Pharmacy
• Telemedicine
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Program

To apply, please complete the required questionnaire. We accept applications on a rolling basis.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), political affiliation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please let us know. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants.

Applicants for this position must be able to produce a negative drug test. Applicants may be subject to a background check. Employees in this position must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position. If requested, this organization will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform the position’s essential job duties. As markets change and the Organization grows, job descriptions may change over time as requirements and employee skill levels evolve. With this understanding, this organization retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Our Commitment to Health & Safety The wellbeing of our residents and team members is our top priority. To help keep everyone safe, we ask all team members to receive a yearly flu shot (with medical and religious exemptions available), While we do not require the COVID-19 vaccine for employment, we do collect vaccination status in accordance with health guidelines. This helps us keep our community informed, safe, and prepared. Candidates must also complete a QuantiFERON Gold TB Blood Test as part of their pre-hire drug screen and physical.

Due to the safety-sensitive nature of skilled nursing services and participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs, employment is contingent upon successful completion of:

• Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act Screening
• National, State, County Criminal Background Checks
• Federal and state exclusion screening (OIG/Medicare/Medicaid)
• Pre-employment drug screening (including marijuana)
• Verification of work authorization
• Applicable registry verification (CNA. Nurse)
• Motor vehicle record view for positions requiring driving