COOK 2 NON-PERMANENT | PENINSULA REENTRY CENTER

State of Washington; Port Orchard, Washington (WA, District of Columbia); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Cook 2 to join their Reentry Division. This non-permanent role involves preparing and serving nutritious meals to residents, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will possess a current food handler permit and have at least two years of large-scale cooking experience. This position not only supports the mission of improving public safety but also fosters an inclusive and engaging work environment. If you are passionate about service and eager to make a positive impact, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Flexible schedules

Comprehensive compensation packages

Training and development opportunities

Generous retirement plan

Paid vacation days

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Dependent Care Assistance

Qualifications

• Must have a current food handler permit and two years of cooking experience.
• Ability to follow recipes and manage food inventory effectively.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals that meet nutritional standards.
• Monitor residents and ensure safe kitchen operations.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the kitchen.

Skills

Cooking a variety of foods

Following written and oral instructions

Effective communication

Mathematical calculations for recipes

Supervising and coaching residents

Education

Current food handler permit

Two years cooking experience

Completion of a course in large-scale cooking

Tools

Kitchen equipment

Food service record keeping tools

Job description

Department of Corrections

Cook 2 - Non-Permanent

Peninsula Reentry Center | Port Orchard, WA

Reentry Division

Applications will be reviewed Monday, March 31, 2025

Our agency is looking to hire a non-permanent Cook 2 position within the Reentry Division. This non-permanent position is anticipated to last through September 1, 2025. This position is based at Peninsula Reentry Center in Port Orchard, WA. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Mission of the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.

This position contributes to the agency’s mission by planning, ordering, preparing, and serving the resident population at Reentry Centers with nutritionally appropriate, quality meals that meet the recommended daily allowance as specified in the Department’s certified meal plan. Meals for residents are prepared and served in a timely manner in accordance with the applicable state and federal regulations and within the budgetary requirements. This supports the Reentry Division's purpose of providing individuals with tools and resources for targeted opportunities to successfully transition back into the community.

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our community and our agency. If you have a passion for service - review, decide, and apply!

A complete application packet will include all of the following attachments:

1. Cover letter regarding your interest in this position.
2. Detailed chronological resume.
3. Three professional references with valid phone number(s) and an email address for each.
4. Copy of your unofficial transcripts, if applicable.

**Please note, an incomplete application package may disqualify you from the process. **

For information about the Reentry Division, please visit our webpage.

Our mission at the Department of Corrections is to 'improve public safety by positively changing lives'. With more than 8,000 employees, we recognize that staff are our greatest asset, and the efforts of our dedicated workforce have garnered national recognition!

DOC OFFERS:

• Flexible schedules
• Comprehensive compensation packages
• Training and development opportunities
• The fulfillment of public service

Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift:

• Perform mathematical calculations by converting recipes to determine the appropriate quantity of food products required to meet menu requirements and populations to be served.
• Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control protocols.
• Check food product during and after preparation, ensuring appropriate quality standards are met and adequate quantity has been prepared.
• Understand and apply rethermalization of food process/procedures if appropriate.
• Practice and perform progressive cooking techniques for quality control and to decrease waste within the food service area.
• Follow basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents.
• Prepare special diets as required (medical or religious).
• Maintain and model the highest standards of personal hygiene.
• Keep work surfaces and equipment clean and in compliance with state and local Health Department sanitation standards.
• Maintain and track knife and tool inventory.

Perform ordering, inventory, storage, use and reporting tasks:

• Maintain and organize accurate food inventories and ensure rotation of stock items to prevent spoilage and pilferage.
• Receive, store and distribute raw and prepared or prepackaged food products in accordance with required standards.
• Receive, store and use chemicals and cleaning supplies appropriately.
• Prepare and submit work orders/equipment repair orders.

Monitor residents, ensure safe and secure operations:

• Execute and maintain tool control processes according to DOC policy.
• Maintain key control per DOC policy.
• Ensure safe handling, operation, care, use and cleaning of kitchen equipment.

*Other duties as assigned.

Current food handler permit - REQUIRED

AND

Two (2) years’ cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation. Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience.

- OR –

One (1) year as a Cook 1 in State service

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
• Operate and demonstrate the safe handling and operation of kitchen equipment
• Role model appropriate behavior to residents
• Supervise, coach, train, and provide constructive feedback to residents in general kitchen operational practices

Knowledge of:

• A variety of foods
• Alternate food preparation methods i.e., cook/chill and cook/freeze
• Basic arithmetic, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• Food service 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 differentiate between applications
• Rethermalization of food process/procedures

To qualify as a Cook 1 in-training:

• Current food handler permit
• One year of experience in food preparation or cooking, in an institutional or commercial food service setting.

*Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience.

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.

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

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.

**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment.

• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation.

• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons.

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees.

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.

• 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!

The DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9.
DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT).
For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] or [e-mail].