Cook 2 - Ellensburg

State of Washington; Ellensburg (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks a Cook 2 in Ellensburg, WA to provide food preparation and service at Parke Creek, a Juvenile Rehabilitation facility. You will supervise residents, manage kitchen operations, and ensure compliance with USDA and OSPI guidelines to support healthy outcomes for youth.

The role involves leading meal preparation, training staff, and maintaining safety and inventory while adhering to health regulations.

Qualifications

• Twelve months of demonstrated work experience.
• Six months of experience as a Cook 1.
• Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may substitute for six months of experience.
• Ability to learn and grow; ability to meet the needs of others.

Responsibilities

• Prepare weekly cycle menus for residents.
• Supervise and participate in meal preparation and kitchen safety.
• Order and track inventory; maintain documentation of production and meals.
• Instruct and coach residents and staff in cooking and food handling.

Job description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”

Job Class: Cook 2

Location: Ellensburg, WA

Closes: Open until filled

Salary: $42,780 - $56,952 Yearly. The salary does not include an additional 5% premium pay for employees working at an on-site 24/7 facility.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Cook 2 to provide food preparation and service at Parke Creek, a Juvenile Rehabilitation community facility that helps prepare young people to return to the community. The Cook 2 has direct oversight of all nutritional programming including: supervision of residents, kitchen maintenance, safety, inventory, and ensuring adherence to USDA and OSPI guidelines and requirements.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

You will work on a small team of cooks and supervise and participate in the preparation of meals for residents, including supervision of residents, kitchen maintenance, safety, and inventory. Additionally, you will inspect the preparation of food to ensure the proper quantity, quality, and handling, and instruct and train employees/resident kitchen help in cooking, preparing, and handling food consistent with health requirements. This position is in a kitchen environment, and you may stand for long periods of time, lifting, and conducting repetitive tasks. If you're passionate about feeding youth, then we'd love to meet you!

Some of what you will do:

• Prepare weekly cycle menus for residents using the Health E Pro Software.
• Ensure all menus are USDA certified and follow the standards laid out by OSPI.
• Ensure all yearly documentation is completed according to OSPI expectations.
• Order and track inventory on a monthly basis.
• Perform skilled cooking and baking duties.
• Lead food preparation performed by staff during off times.
• Instruct staff on a weekly basis through verbal and written communication.
• Adjust food volume production based on demands and resident population.
• Maintain written documentation of daily production records, daily meal counts, and inventory.
• Ensure proper food handling and sanitation practices are met.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Input Monthly Meal Cost Summary Data each month.
• Perform basic data entry and retrieval functions using an electronic management information system.
• Train and coach residents in Health Living and Culinary Skills.
• Coach and supervise youth in completion of kitchen chores to meet health and safety guidelines.
• Keep Safety Data Sheets up to date for chemicals used in kitchens and secure chemicals and protection devices.

Required qualifications:

Twelve months of demonstrated work experience

OR

Six months of experience as a Cook 1.

Note: Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may substitute for six months of experience.

AND

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to these required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Knowledge and understanding of the USDA requirements and guidelines.
• Demonstrated competency in relating to clients from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups.
• Experience working with OSPI preferred but not required

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but is considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.

Possess a current Food Handler's permit or secure one within fourteen days of hire.

This position is in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

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