Department Information

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Description of Job

• Prepare food by utilizing conventional and/or cook chill production systems and utilizing a variety of cooking methods.
• Follow standardized recipes, diets, cooking instructions, production sheets, tallies, and load slips to prepare meals, snacks and baked goods.
• In the preparation of recipes visually, inspect for correct consistency, color, and texture.
• During cooking, monitors and documents food temperatures following Hazard Analysis and
  Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines.
• Operates and cleans commercial food equipment, following manufacturer's guidelines and instructions for safe operation.
• Counts and portions of food items based on census per location.
• Prepares and re-therms food and beverage products.
• Takes QA sample bags and stores for 72 hours until testing is completed.
• Cooks meals by using various cooking methods and equipment (i.e. combi-oven, griddle, conveyor toasters, etc.).
• Prepares meals in accordance to load slips and ensures food safety and sanitation guidelines are
  followed.
• Assembles and portions food items, snacks, sack meals, beverages and baked goods.
• Prepares sack lunches for clients as needed. The position also serves meals/snacks to CMHIP patients in accordance with the meal report.
• The position is responsible for completing an inventory of supplies in their designated production area and orders supplies from North Kitchen as needed by using bread and milk order form.
• Receives supplies and stores them in the appropriate location based on the item being delivered (i.e. cold item, dry storage, chemicals, etc.).
• In accordance with established policies and procedures, cleans kitchen equipment, production areas, tables, hoods and dining room or North Kitchen areas.
• Washes dishes, utensils, pots and pans by using a dishwasher or 3 compartment sink.
• Records dish machine wash and rinse temperatures.
• Pushes food carts and picks up from designated locations; cleans and sanitizes carts.
• Follows policies and procedures regarding utensils and sharp counts, contraband, key monitoring, food auditing, operation and minor servicing of equipment.
• Applies proper sanitation techniques when cleaning production areas and equipment.
• Documents knife counts, refrigeration temperatures and food temperatures on designated log
  sheets.
• Ensures all refrigerators and other log sheets are updated daily. Ensures IOJ and incident reports are completed in a timely manner.
• Follows food safety guidelines in accordance with federal, state, and department
  standards.
• Monitors and documents food temperatures, following HACCP guidelines.
• Maintains active computer access to complete Cornerstone training.
• Attends yearly competency fair and completes mandatory hospital and departmental training.
• May be assigned or may be asked to work other units to ensure coverage.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work.

• Previous experience working in a commercial or institutional setting, utilizing raw ingredients, following prescribed large-scale recipes to create meals or baked goods from scratch.
• Previous experience working as a cook in a high volume, batch production kitchen, following prescribed large-scale recipes, monitoring production schedules and maintaining inventory and supply orders.
• Experience in Corrections or high-security kitchen.
• Food Safety Certification
• Excellent customer service skills
• Basic computer skills

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and commercial equipment.
• May be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

• Food service operations and the preparation and production of food
• Cleaning and sanitizing practices as they relate to food service operations
• Knowledge of safe food handling, and storage practices and regulations
• Knowledge of weights, measures, (e.g., food scales, measuring cups, and spoons), and food measurement techniques.
• Knowledge of the techniques used in mixing food (e.g., gelatin, pancake batter, salad dressing, scrambled eggs, etc.).
• Knowledge of cooking methods (e.g., frying, deep-fat frying, boiling, steaming, and baking).
• Knowledge of food safety related to handling and storing cooked foods, serving and storing temperatures and reading food thermometers.

Supplemental Information

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations:CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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