COOK

Date: May 20, 2026

Req ID: 57438

Location:

Mena, AR, US, 71953

Category: DEPT OF PARKS AND TOURISM

Anticipated Starting Salary: $14.00 per hour

Position Number: 22091774

Location: Queen Wilhelmina State Park -PT46

County: Polk

Anticipated Starting Salary: $14.00 per hour

This is an extra help (or part-time position) at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena, AR.

The rate of pay for this position is $14.00 per hour.

Prepare meals according to standardized recipes and menu plans. Ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature and quality standards. Clean and maintain cooking equipment, utensils, and workstations.

Monitor food inventory and inform supervisors when supplies are low. Ability to interact with visitors, handles or relays complaints to managers, and assists visitors with special needs. Performs food preparation duties, including preparing food commodities, calculating needed amounts of goods, ensuring accurate measurements of recipe quantities, labeling and storing leftover items, and ordering weekly supplies.

Assist with portioning and plating meals for service. Follow food safety regulations regarding food storage, handling, and cleanliness.

Basic knowledge of cooking techniques, food preparation, and kitchen sanitation. Ability to follow recipes and cooking instructions accurately. Strong attention to detail in food preparation and quality control.

Ability to maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen. Good communication skills for working with other kitchen staff.

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination for people around the country. Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies. Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state.

Position Information

Job Series: Food Service – Career-path

Classification: Cook

Class Code: TFS01P

Pay Grade: SGS01

Salary Range: $33,280 - $49,254

Job Summary

The Cook is responsible for preparing meals in a state facility according to established menus and recipes. This entry-level role ensures that food is prepared promptly, cooked to the correct specifications, and complies with health and safety standards.

Primary Responsibilities

Prepare meals and snacks according to standardized recipes and menu plans. Ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature and quality standards. Clean and maintain cooking equipment, utensils, and workstations. Monitor food inventory and inform supervisors when supplies are low. Ability to interact with visitors, handles or relays complaints to managers, and assists visitors with special needs. Performs food preparation duties, including preparing food commodities, calculating needed amounts of goods, ensuring accurate measurements of recipe quantities, labeling and storing leftover items, and ordering weekly supplies. Assist with portioning and plating meals for service. Follow food safety regulations regarding food storage, handling, and cleanliness.

Knowledge and Skills

Basic knowledge of cooking techniques, food preparation, and kitchen sanitation. Ability to follow recipes and cooking instructions accurately. Strong attention to detail in food preparation and quality control. Ability to maintain cleanliness and safety in the kitchen. Good communication skills for working with other kitchen staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Previous kitchen or cooking experience.

Licensure/Certifications

Must obtain and maintain ServSafe Food Certification within six months of hire. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.