Cook 2 - Snoqualmie

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

Job summary

State of Washington, DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation, Snoqualmie, WA, seeks a Cook 2 to direct oversight of nutritional programming, lead meal preparation, and coordinate daily kitchen operations. You will supervise staff, mentor youth in culinary tasks, and ensure compliance with safety and nutrition requirements.

The role requires leadership, reliability, and strong communication in a fast-paced environment; it offers growth opportunities in a government kitchen serving youth in care.

Qualifications

• Two years of cooking experience in large-scale food service.
• Alternate path: one year as Cook 1 in state service.
• Current Food Worker card.
• Ability to learn and grow.
• Ability to meet the needs of others.
• Experience leading a team in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Knowledge of HACCP and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee meal preparation and service.
• Instruct and supervise kitchen staff.
• Prepare food following recipes.
• Inspect food quality and quantity.
• Supervise youth in food preparation and safety.
• Daily inspection of refrigeration and hot food equipment.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment at scale.
• Ensure cleaning of kitchen and dining areas.
• Receive and store food supplies.
• Maintain inventory of kitchen equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

HACCP knowledge

Safety compliance

Communication

Basic computer skills

Tools

Food worker card

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:Snoqualmie, WA
Closes: Thursday, October 01, 2026
Salary:$42,780 - $56,952 Yearly. The salary does not include an additional 5% premium pay for employees working in King County or an on-site 24/7 facility 5% premium.

This non-permanent appointment is expected to last approximately one year.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting applications for a Cook 2 to direct oversight of all nutritional programming so youth have the nutrition needed to support their health and ability to follow their treatment program. Join the dedicated Food Services team at DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation, where your work directly supports the health, well-being, and daily success of young people in our care. As a Cook 2, you will take a lead role in preparing and serving nutritious meals while helping coordinate daily kitchen operations and providing guidance to other food service staff.

Click here to learn more about DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation.

The Opportunity:

As lead staff, you will oversee meal preparation, kitchen coordination, and ensure that food service runs smoothly across shifts. You will also teach culinary skills to youth and model strong work ethics. The work is in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where leadership, communication, reliability, and food safety are highly valued. The position offers opportunities to use your culinary experience, oversee large-scale meal production, prepare a variety of menu items, accommodate special dietary needs, and support compliance with OSPI and federal school nutrition requirements.

The position is located in a scenic, wooded setting. Work schedules may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on operational needs. This is a meaningful opportunity for someone who enjoys cooking, values teamwork, and wants to make a positive difference through public service.

Some of what you will do:

• Supervise and participate in preparation and service of food.
• Oversee, delegate, and instruct food preparation duties.
• Prepare food following standardized recipes.
• Inspect food being prepared to ensure the proper quantity, quality, and handling.
• Supervise, monitor and instruct youth in food preparation, sanitation, and safety procedures as part of their participation in the work experience program.
• Ensure daily inspection of refrigerators, freezers, hot carts, and steam tables for proper temperature control.
• Operate state vehicles to safely transport prepared meal carts and food supplies to designated cottages and service areas.
• Operate and maintain all standard and industrial kitchen equipment in a large-scale kitchen environment.
• Ensure cleaning of kitchen, dining area, utensils, and equipment.
• Receive and put away food supplies.
• Maintain and inventory kitchen equipment and report missing items to Security.

Required qualifications:

Two years of cooking experience in large-scale food service or culinary operation. Completion of course in large-scale cooking may substitute for one year of experience.

OR

One year as a Cook 1 in State service.
A current Food Worker card.

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 those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Demonstrated experience in leading and coordinating a team in a fast-paced kitchen environment while ensuring efficient workflow, food quality, safety, and compliance with operational standards
• Demonstrated knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCUP), and basic computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions.

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.

This position requires at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

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.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

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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