Cook 2 (Cook 1 In-Training)
: Job Details :

Department of Corrections - Reentry DivisionCook 2 (Cook 1 in training) On CallTri-Cities Reentry CenterKennewick WAThis recruitment has been reopened to broaden the candidate pool.The Mission of Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.Our team within the Reentry Division is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to fill a permanent Cook 2 (Cook 1 in training) role. This position is located at Tri-Cities Reentry Center in Kennewick, Washington.* Depending on qualifications, the selected candidate may be appointed at the Cook 1 in-training level or directly at the Cook 2 level.This position contributes to the agency's mission to improve public safety by planning, ordering, preparing and serving the resident population at Reentry Centers with nutritionally appropriate, quality meals that meet the recommended daily allowance as specified in the Department's certified meal plan. Meals for residents are prepared and served in a timely manner in accordance with the applicable state and federal regulations and within the budgetary requirements.We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our community and our agency. If you have a passion for service - review, decide, and apply!Application ProcessTo be considered for this position, please apply directly at www.careers.wa.gov to this announcement. As part of a complete application package, you must:* Provide a complete work history.* Include three (3) professional references on your application. See Supplemental Information section of this posting for an explanation of who meets the definition of a professional reference. (Phone number and e-mail address are required for each professional reference)Please note: Incomplete application packages may disqualify an application from the selection process. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the Supplemental Questions section of this application.For information about the Reentry Division, please visit our webpage.Our mission at the Department of Corrections is to 'improve public safety by positively changing lives'. With more than 8,000 employees, we recognize that staff are our greatest asset, and the efforts of our dedicated workforce have garnered national recognition! Whether the work is inside a prison, out in the field, or an administrative office, DOC staff experience a high degree of personal reward knowing their efforts are creating an environment in which incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to safer communities.DOC OFFERS:* Flexible schedules* Comprehensive compensation packages* Training and development opportunities* The fulfillment of public serviceDuties of a Cook 2 include, but are not limited to:Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift:* Perform mathematical calculations by converting recipes to determine the appropriate quantity of food products required to meet menu requirements and populations to be served.* Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control protocols.* Check food product during and after preparation, ensuring appropriate quality standards are met and adequate quantity has been prepared.* Understand and apply rethermalization of food process/procedures if appropriate.* Practice and perform progressive cooking techniques for quality control and to decrease waste within the food service area.* Follow basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents.* Prepare special diets as required (medical or religious).* Maintain and model the highest standards of personal hygiene.* Keep work surfaces and equipment clean and in compliance with state and local Health Department sanitation standards.* Follow basic safety practices to avoid hazards and accidents* Maintain and track knife and tool inventory.Perform ordering, inventory, storage, use and reporting tasks:* Maintain and organize accurate food inventories and ensure rotation of stock items to prevent spoilage and pilferage.* Receive, store and distribute raw and prepared or prepackaged food products in accordance with required standards.* Receive, store and use chemicals and cleaning supplies appropriately.* Prepare and submit work orders/equipment repair orders.Monitor residents, ensure safe and secure operations:* Execute and maintain tool control processes according to DOC policy.* Maintain key control per DOC policy.* Ensure safe handling, operation, care, use and cleaning of kitchen equipment.Required Qualifications:* Two (2) years' cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation. Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience* Current food handler permit.* OR -* One (1) year as a Cook 1 in State service* Current food handler permit.Ability to:* Cook a variety of foods* Follow written and oral instructions* Write clearly, factually, and concisely* Read, understand, estimate quantities and follow recipes with minimal waste* Effectively communicate verbally* Schedule and organize daily work* Operate and demonstrate the safe handling and operation of kitchen equipment, e.g., mixers, ovens,choppers, slicers, grills, steam kettles* Role model appropriate behavior to residents* Supervise, coach, train, and provide constructive feedback to residents in general kitchen operational practicesKnowledge of:* A variety of foods* Alternate food preparation methods i.e., cook/chill and cook/freeze* Basic arithmetic, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing* Food service practices, food preparation, and production methods and procedures* Food service record keeping* HACCP protocols, practices, and tools for food serviceUnderstanding of:* Weights and measures and differentiate between applications* Rethermalization of food process/proceduresPreferred Qualifications:* Three (3) or more years' cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation* High school diploma or GEDTo qualify as a Cook 1 in-training:* Current food handler permit* One year of experience in food preparation or cooking, in an institutional or commercial food service setting.* Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience.* Cook 1 on-call: $17.91 - $23.71 hourlyVision: Working together for safer communities.Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.IMPORTANT NOTES:* Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.* A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.* Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.* We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.* Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.* Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.* Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.What We Offer:As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:* Up to 25 paid vacations days a year* 8 hours of paid sick leave per month* 12 paid holidays a year* Generous retirement plan* Flex Spending Accounts* Dependent Care Assistance* Deferred Compensation and so much more!The DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email ...@DOC1.WA.GOV or ...@doc1.wa.gov