Sheriff's Correctional Cook/Cook-Lead

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position or current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancies are with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months. 

Cook and oversee the cooking of a variety of foods and special diets; schedule adult inmate workers kitchen workers daily assignments; make desserts such as cakes, puddings, and pies; use a variety of hand and motorized commercial kitchen equipment and machines; perform frying, grilling, stewing, roasting, steaming and baking; estimate food supplies needed; organize food at hot tables, serve food portions; clean and store equipment and food supplies; verify menus, types of diets and food supplies; estimate quantities, usages, and adjust recipes and menus if required; assemble food items, equipment and utensils needed to prepare the day's menu; discuss special diets with a Sheriffs Correctional Cook Lead or a Food and Laundry Supervisor; order, receive and check food supplies; assist in the proper serving and storing of food; organize workflow to meet mealtime schedules; clean and maintain sanitary conditions in all work areas; maintain security of the kitchen in the Sheriff’s jail facilities; directly Supervise the work of adult Inmate kitchen workers; account for equipment utilized by adult inmate kitchen workers; assist Sheriff’s Security staff in providing security for Jail Kitchen facility; learn and maintain Sheriff Departmental Security Standards, Policy and Procedure; learn and abide California Title 15 standards, including reoccurring, annual training; work with various Sheriff’s Office Personnel to report incidents in their respective work areas; calculate portion sizes and units of servings; adapt menu to dietary needs of the adult inmates. Lead: Discuss special diets with the Food and Laundry Manager or other higher-level staff; train new employees; supervise lower-level cooks and adult inmate staff in food preparation; perform butchering tasks if required; order produce, meats and staples for jail feeding program; account for food and hardware items on an assigned shift; inspect kitchen area for security and sanitary conditions; clean and repair kitchen equipment; train adult inmates and other kitchen personnel to cook, bake, use  kitchen equipment and maintain sanitary standards; maintain inventory of kitchen supplies; calculate prices based on unit costs of food and disposable.

Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education: Equivalent to completion of twelfth (12th) grade. 

Experience: One (1) year of progressively more difficult and varied cooking and food preparation experience for large numbers of people such as is found in institutional or military cooking. Lead: Two (2) years of progressively more difficult and varied cooking and food preparation experience for large numbers of people such as is found in institutional or military cooking, one year of which includes supervisory responsibilities. 

Equivalencies for Experience: Two (2) years of progressively more difficult cooking and food preparation work with one (1) year of food related supervisory experience and one (1) year of experience ordering kitchen supplies. Lead: Three (3) years of progressively more difficult cooking and food preparation work with two (2) years of food related supervisory experience and one (1) year of experience ordering kitchen supplies. 

Knowledge of: Safe and proper use of commercial equipment and machines commonly found in large kitchens; sanitation practices and procedures pertaining to food preparation and kitchen work areas; math sufficient to compute percentages, decimals and fractions; food industry terminology to order supplies; kitchen sanitation and safety measures used in handling food safely; methods and procedures used in care, preparation, cooking, baking, serving, and storing food. Lead: Storage and preservation of foods; sanitation requirements for institutional kitchens; kitchen cleaning materials; basic nutrition; meal planning and dietetic terminology.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; prepare, cook, and bake a variety of foods in large quantities; follow recipes and instructions to train in the preparation of food and special diets; operate commercial equipment commonly found in large kitchens; read and interpret numbers on scales, dials, thermometer’s and gauges; give and follow written, electronic, and verbal instructions; accurately record information regarding menus, diets, and supplies; accurately follow and adjust recipes and menus; retain and recall information as it pertains to security and operation of jail facilities; organize work and establish priorities in completing daily duties; deal effectively and cooperatively with a variety of people in a controlled setting; establish effective working relationships and coordinate work with other staff; maintain sanitary requirements found in institutional kitchens; recall ingredients in preparing foods and adjust recipes as needed; give and follow oral and written instructions; organize work, adjust to changing workloads and meet deadlines; work with and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and correctional adult inmate personnel; work cohesively with team members (to include kitchen staff and other Sheriff’s Departmental personnel); follow instructions accurately and correctly; keep adult inmate’s workers on task, focusing on required duties and safety; clearly and Concisely communicate directions and commands to adult inmate workers in a professional manner; understand food safety practices and temperatures required by local, state and federal entities; use basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division); deal effectively and cooperatively with a variety of people in a controlled setting. Lead: Directly supervise inmates to get daily duties completed; utilize fresh fruits, vegetables, and gleaning items for meals; oversee the work of and train subordinate staff; cook and serve appetizing meals.

Conditions of Employment:  Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.  

College Cost Reduction Access Act:This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary : $41,704 - $56,311