Position Summary
***Pre-employment drug screening is required for this position. Applicants must not have used marijuana in the previous 12-month period and have not used other non-prescribed drugs in the previous 5-year period.***
Prepare a large quantity of a limited number of entrees, vegetables, and desserts, according to preset menus in the county jail. Oversee inmate workers assigned to work in the kitchen.
Prepare meals based on menus approved by a certified nutritionist, on some shifts cooks may function relatively independently in preparing food, determining portions, and deciding on nutritional value. Position could serve approximately 200 inmates depending on facility population.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position. Employee must comply with all County and department policies, procedures, WAC’s, or other regulatory bodies.
- Food Preparation and Service: Preparing meals according to menus approved by a nutritionist; cooks are required to provide meals having appropriate nutritional value and which are proper for restricted diets; serving meals; observing safe and proper food handling and sanitation procedures and standards. This includes; Checking the freshness of food and ingredients before cooking; Weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients according to recipes; Baking, roasting, grilling, broiling, or frying meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods; Boiling and steaming meats, fish, vegetables, and other foods; Garnishing, arranging, and serving food; Cleaning work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware; Cooking, holding, and storing food or food ingredients; Washing pots, pans, dishes, utensils, and other cooking equipment; and Baking breads, rolls, and other pastries.
- Administrative Tasks: Maintains records of meals and special situations requiring notice for future meal preparation. Oversee the work of inmate workers in food preparation and clean up as well as the maintenance of the county garden. This includes Compiling and maintaining records of food use and expenditures; Taking inventory of supplies and equipment; Training new employees; Directing activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
- Inmate Supervision: Cooks maintains custody and security of the inmates under their oversight. At times inmates will work under cook’s supervision which will require careful custody and alertness to their access to sharp utensils and tools.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Safe Use of Kitchen Equipment
- Documentation & Record Keeping
- Inspecting Equipment
- Computer Literacy
- Emergency Preparedness/Safety
- Confidentiality & Ethics
- Customer Service
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal & Teamwork Skills
- Safe Food Handling Procedures
- Monitoring Processes, Materials & Surroundings
- Judgment & Decision Making
- Knowledge of County Policies & Procedures
Education, Experience, and Licensing
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Any combination of education and experience may be substituted as long as it provides the desired skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Minimum of 21 years of age.
- Pass Civil Service examination.
- Pass polygraph and psychological evaluations.
- Knowledge and abilities in food preparation methods, safe food handling, nutritional calculations, and sanitation.
- Valid Driver’s License: with proof of automobile insurance.
- Background Check: Must have an acceptable background record.
- Driving Abstract: Must have an acceptable driving record.
- Washington State Food Handler Permit: Must have active food worker card.
Preferred:
- Meal preparation experience in a corrections institutional setting.
These skills and abilities typically are acquired through a combination of experience and training, which would include one year of experience or training in food preparation, preferably for large groups of people in an institutional setting or its equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Time Management - Managing time and the time of others.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Judgment and Decision - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one for the circumstance.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicator to make sure equipment is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of equipment or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of self, other individuals to make improvements or take appropriate action.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to others, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Work is performed principally in the Jail kitchen and food preparation areas. In summer, work may be performed at the County’s garden overseeing inmate workers in the caring for the garden and crops. In the kitchen, inmate workers may work under your supervision requiring careful custody and alertness to their access to sharp utensils and tools. Corrections staff may or may not be immediately present. Cooks usually must stand for long periods and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods, walk, sit, write, hear, speak and lift up to 50 lbs. of unequal weight. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other
Union Representation
This position is represented by Teamsters Local #760 and a member of the Sheriff’s Support bargaining unit.
Disclaimer
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Application Special Instructions
A complete application must have two documents attached: a current resume and a cover letter.