Food Service Manager

This position prepares all daily meals following established menu plans and meal cycles. Prepare special or modified dietary meals. Oversee and lead the daily work activities of inmate workers at the jail kitchen. Provide regular reports on kitchen incidents and issues.

Benefits Information:

Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision - through Teamsters Union
• Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System
• Life Insurance 
• Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)
• Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Reasonable work hours

The County:

Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work. Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts. The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas. 

1. Prepare daily meals from recipes or specifications ensuring the meals are nutritionally suitable, sanitary and palatable, following established programs and plans.
2. Find the meal quantities per cycle and estimate the need for food, equipment and supplies. Maintain records of food, supplies and equipment used to assist with inventory control, as well as other food service and kitchen related records.
3. Perform inventory count of supplies and equipment and report to the Captain.
4. Conduct training of kitchen and food services duties to inmate workers.
5. Perform and supervise cleaning duties daily of the food service process and preparation areas, ensuring compliance with standard procedures, health and sanitary requirements.  
6. Collaborate with Jail security duties by assisting with safety awareness within the kitchen and food services areas, observing the activities and insuring location of prisoners and inmate workers. Anticipate and report potential dangers, behavioral problems or security breaches. Prepare and present incident reports.
7. Attend and participate in staff meetings. Present ideas for quality and improvement of the product and services provided.
8. Attend employer sponsored training and seminars.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

1. High School diploma or equivalent.  Possess good mathematical skills.
2. Three (3) years experience in an institutional or large scale kitchen, which must include meal and food cooking, preparation and service, maintain kitchen inventories, prepare nutritiously balanced meals including special diets, kitchen tools and equipment use, care, and sanitation. Knowledge of required personal hygiene, tools sanitation, safety precautions, and food handling by Health Department standards.
3. Possess and maintain a current Food and Beverage Server Health permit (Health Card).
4. Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
5. Successfully pass an extensive background investigation, polygraph and psychological examination.

1. Customer service and interpersonal skills in dealing with inmates. Develop and maintain good working relationship with the department staff, other county employees, and vendors.
2. Good written and oral communication skills to prepare concise reports, conduct training and provide clear instructions.
3. Possess general leadership and supervisory skills to direct, motivate and effectively delegate duties to inmates.. Able to exercise control and authority in a jail kitchen environment.
4. Able to multi-task daily activities and determine work priorities. Organizational skills to maintain records and meet time lines. 
5. Initiative to be in control during stressful situations, and possess problem-solving skills. 
6. Able to exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the department and its business.
7. Perform all duties of the position in accordance to Policies and Procedures.
8. Ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace. 

Salary : $56,412 - $66,348