AC Cook

Washington State Department of Correction; Shelton (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote/telework/flexible schedules (if

Up to 25 paid vacations days a year

Job summary

Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, WA, is seeking an AC Cook to oversee vocational and job skills training for incarcerated workers. The role involves directing an inmate work crew in cooking, serving, and food preparation, and ensuring adherence to safety and HACCP standards.

Responsibilities include supervising cooking activities, training inmates in kitchen operations, maintaining inventory, and ensuring proper food handling and documentation for compliance with agency policies.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and completion of a culinary arts program OR High School diploma/equivalent with two years of cook experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee vocational and job skills training for incarcerated workers.
• Supervise and instruct incarcerated individuals in cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation.
• Ensure HACCP logs are completed and safety standards are followed.
• Manage inventory and ensure proper storage and rotation of food products.

Skills

Cooking

Safety protocols

Communication

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Culinary arts program

Job description

Washington Corrections Center (WCC), Mason County – Shelton, WA

Dept. of Corrections, Prisons

AC Cook

Full Time – Non – Permanent

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking highly motivated and talented individuals for the position of AC Cook at the Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton, Washington.
The Washington Corrections Center is a Reception and Diagnostic Center. The facility is a close-custody facility with the primary responsibility to process, test, and classify all adult male felons sentenced to prison in Washington State. The facility has seven living units and houses 1,700 incarcerated individuals. There are about 500 incarcerated individuals screened and assessed each month. WCC is also the major hub for transfer of incarcerated individuals to and from facilities throughout the state.

Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.

The AC Cook position provides oversight for the vocational and job skills training, direction, and supervision of an incarcerated work crew. The AC Cook provides incarcerated individuals needed vocational and job skills training to become better prepared and equipped to find meaningful and productive employment upon their transition into the community. Under the supervision of the AC Cook, incarcerated individuals attain job skills and training in the preparation, cooking, serving, and storage of food, and receive instruction in the appropriate use of equipment.
We are searching for an adaptable and dependable team member who has excellent written and verbal communication skills to assume the critical role of AC Cook and ensure WCC is operating in support of the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the agency.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift.
• Ensure adherence to appropriate potion control protocols.
• Ensure appropriate quality standards are met and that adequate quantity has been prepared.
• Follow basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents
• Maintain and track knife and tool inventory
• Supervise and instruct incarcerated individuals in general cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation and service.
• Supervise, train, and instruct incarcerated individuals in preparing special diets and preparing and setting up satellite trays or cats and serving lines.
• Supervise, coach, instruct, train, and provide constructive feedback to incarcerated individuals in the safe handling, operation, care, use, and cleaning of kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grills, and steam kettles.
• In accordance with policy, train incarcerated individuals in the preparation and serving of food, hygiene, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), use and care of equipment, and safety hazards (HAZMAT)
• Maintain and organize accurate food inventories and rotate stock items to prevent spoilage and pilferage.
• Complete, monitor, and maintain HACCP logs.
• Prepare work orders and equipment repair orders.
• Receive, store, and distribute raw and pre-prepared or pre-packaged food products in accordance with required standards.
• Practice and perform progressive cooking techniques used for quality control and to decrease waste within the food service area.
• Understand and apply rethermalization of food processes/procedures if appropriate.

Required:

Valid Driver’s License

High School diploma or equivalent and successful completion of a culinary arts program at an accredited community college or vocation technical school.

OR

High School diploma or equivalent and two years of experience as a cook in a food service establishment

AND

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
• Operated and demonstrate the safe handling and operation of kitchen equipment, e.g., mixers, ovens, choppers, slicers, grills, and steam kettles.
• Maintain security, order, and discipline of incarcerated individuals supervised
• Role model appropriate behavior to incarcerated individuals
• Supervise, coach, train, and provide constructive feedback to incarcerated individuals in general kitchen operational practices

Knowledge of:

• A variety of foods
• Alternate food preparation methods i.e., cool/chill and cook/freeze
• Basic arithmetic, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• Food services practices, food preparation, and production methods and procedures
• Food service record keeping
• HACCP protocols, practices, and tools for food service

Understanding of:

• Weights and measures and differentiation between applications
• Rethermalization of food process/procedures

Observation

Observes and strategizes personal action based on environmental conditions and human behavior.

Technology

Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of job duties.

Stress Tolerance

Remains calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening or other crisis/emergency situations. Appropriately intervenes in response to threats.

Professional standards

Knows and applies relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice. Adheres to established productivity standards and timelines. Identifies own training needs and proactively seeks training opportunities.

Adaptability

Incorporates new information into an existing framework of understanding. Accepts change and supports the Agency through changes in law, policy, and procedure.

Incomplete application packages may disqualify an applicant from the application process.

We are looking for evidence in your application materials that you have the experience, skills, and abilities indicated in this job posting. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application materials submitted.

Vision

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.

Our Core Values

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciate and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
3. People’s Safety: Corrections believe in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
5. Supporting people’s success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis or 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

• 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.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• 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. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• 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.

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:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• 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!

Pers: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirements System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check our the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site.

OR

PSERS: Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees’ Retirements System (PERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans. For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] or call us at 360-549-5614. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.