What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Service Specialist position at State of Oklahoma?
Basic Purpose
Positions in this job family are involved in handling, preparing, cooking and serving food for regular, modified and special diets at a state hospital, school, facility or institution. This includes maintaining clean and sanitary work, preparation and serving areas.
Typical Functions
Prepares foods, salads, and desserts; cooks or bakes a variety of items.
Supplies unit with meat, fish or fowl as ordered; cuts and prepares meat, poultry or fish.
Cleans and prepares foods using tools such as knives, slicers and peelers and equipment such as ovens and steamers; follows written diet orders.
Operates dishwasher; gathers, cleans, stacks and hand washes or scours pots, pans, dishes, silverware and other cooking and baking utensils.
Removes refuse from kitchen area; sweeps mops and scrubs kitchen, dining and storage areas.
Labels, loads and delivers food carts or trays; picks up trays after use.
Defrosts and cleans refrigerators, walk-in coolers and related equipment.
Operates state-owned cars, vans, and/or other motorized transportation.
Level Descriptors
Level I:
This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned simple and routine duties of handling, preparing and serving food. In this role they will perform tasks such as preparing toast, tea, and coffee, and maintaining the cleanliness of the food service area.
Level II:
This career level includes positions where employees are assigned responsibility for a variety of tasks involved in preparing and serving meals in a state hospital, school, facility or institution. This includes using items for cooking and baking, cutting and preparing meat, poultry or fish, frying, or roasting foods. Positions are also responsible for the direction of others performing simple and routine duties involving the handling and serving of food and maintaining a clean and sanitary work area. In this role they will make recommendations for future food needs, receive and store food, and assist with serving food.
Level III:
This is the leadership level of the job family, where employees are assigned responsibility for performing highly skilled work involving the operation of an institutional food service unit and supervising other Food Service Specialists in the requisition, storage, cooking, baking, and serving of food, the preparation of meats, poultry and fish for cooking, and the inspection and maintenance of sanitary kitchen and work areas. Under the direction of a Nutrition Therapist, some positions at this level will do nutritional assessments, ongoing charting in dietary progress notes and communicate with nursing and nutrition departments on patient concerns.
Level IV:
At this level employees are assigned responsibility for the administration of a food service unit and activities of assigned staff, which may include employees, inmates, patients, and/or others in the preparation and serving of food in a state facility or institution. In this role they will provide direction to staff members in completing assigned work and ensure completion of required activities. Responsibilities will also be assigned for interpreting menus and menu instructions, ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation methods are followed, inspecting kitchen and dining areas, requisitioning supplies and maintaining a store room.
Education and Experience
Level I:
None required.
Level II:
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of one year of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.
Level III:
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of two years of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.
Level IV:
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of three years of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.
Level I:
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; and of basic mathematics. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Level II:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; and of sanitary and health standards. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; and to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods.
Level III:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; of sanitary and health standards; of supervisory principles and practices; and of basic nutrition. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods; to control food stock; and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Level IV:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; of sanitary and health standards; of supervisory principles and practices; of basic nutrition; of food service organization and operation; of menu planning; of recipe interpretation; of the principles of training; and of administrative principles and practices. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods; to control food stock; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to interpret and prepare special dietary menus and menu instructions; and to organize and supervise the work of others.
Special Requirements
Some positions may require possession of a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License at time of appointment.
Some agencies may have determined positions in this job family to be safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S.
Oklahoma State Reformatory
Positions in this job family are involved in handling, preparing, cooking and serving food for regular, modified and special diets at a state hospital, school, facility or institution. This includes maintaining clean and sanitary work, preparation and serving areas.
Typical Functions
Prepares foods, salads, and desserts; cooks or bakes a variety of items.
Supplies unit with meat, fish or fowl as ordered; cuts and prepares meat, poultry or fish.
Cleans and prepares foods using tools such as knives, slicers and peelers and equipment such as ovens and steamers; follows written diet orders.
Operates dishwasher; gathers, cleans, stacks and hand washes or scours pots, pans, dishes, silverware and other cooking and baking utensils.
Removes refuse from kitchen area; sweeps mops and scrubs kitchen, dining and storage areas.
Labels, loads and delivers food carts or trays; picks up trays after use.
Defrosts and cleans refrigerators, walk-in coolers and related equipment.
Operates state-owned cars, vans, and/or other motorized transportation.
Level Descriptors
Level I:
This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned simple and routine duties of handling, preparing and serving food. In this role they will perform tasks such as preparing toast, tea, and coffee, and maintaining the cleanliness of the food service area.
Level II:
This career level includes positions where employees are assigned responsibility for a variety of tasks involved in preparing and serving meals in a state hospital, school, facility or institution. This includes using items for cooking and baking, cutting and preparing meat, poultry or fish, frying, or roasting foods. Positions are also responsible for the direction of others performing simple and routine duties involving the handling and serving of food and maintaining a clean and sanitary work area. In this role they will make recommendations for future food needs, receive and store food, and assist with serving food.
Level III:
This is the leadership level of the job family, where employees are assigned responsibility for performing highly skilled work involving the operation of an institutional food service unit and supervising other Food Service Specialists in the requisition, storage, cooking, baking, and serving of food, the preparation of meats, poultry and fish for cooking, and the inspection and maintenance of sanitary kitchen and work areas. Under the direction of a Nutrition Therapist, some positions at this level will do nutritional assessments, ongoing charting in dietary progress notes and communicate with nursing and nutrition departments on patient concerns.
Level IV:
At this level employees are assigned responsibility for the administration of a food service unit and activities of assigned staff, which may include employees, inmates, patients, and/or others in the preparation and serving of food in a state facility or institution. In this role they will provide direction to staff members in completing assigned work and ensure completion of required activities. Responsibilities will also be assigned for interpreting menus and menu instructions, ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation methods are followed, inspecting kitchen and dining areas, requisitioning supplies and maintaining a store room.
Education and Experience
Level I:
None required.
Level II:
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of one year of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.
Level III:
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of two years of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.
Level IV:
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of three years of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.
Level I:
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; and of basic mathematics. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Level II:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; and of sanitary and health standards. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; and to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods.
Level III:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; of sanitary and health standards; of supervisory principles and practices; and of basic nutrition. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods; to control food stock; and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Level IV:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; of sanitary and health standards; of supervisory principles and practices; of basic nutrition; of food service organization and operation; of menu planning; of recipe interpretation; of the principles of training; and of administrative principles and practices. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods; to control food stock; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to interpret and prepare special dietary menus and menu instructions; and to organize and supervise the work of others.
Special Requirements
Some positions may require possession of a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License at time of appointment.
Some agencies may have determined positions in this job family to be safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S.
- 427.8.
Oklahoma State Reformatory
