Cook Baker II

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, and vision

Retirement plan

12 paid holidays

Generous vacation and sick leave

Flexible schedules and telecommuting

Job summary

King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) seeks a full-time Cook/Baker II to supervise kitchen staff, manage menus, inventories, and food safety across facilities in Seattle, Kent, and First Hill locations. You will coordinate meals for youth and residents, train staff, and ensure compliance with nutrition guidelines.

This role requires a valid WA license and ServSafe within six months.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older by the closing date of this announcement.
• Food Handler's Permit as issued by Seattle-King County Health Department
• ServSafe certification within the first six months of employment
• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• Full‑time work experience in large‑quantity food preparation and baking (minimum of 500 servings per meal)
• Minimum of 24 months lead or supervisory experience in an institutional food service setting.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff and organize and assign work to Cook/Bakers.
• Maintain staff schedule, including vacation and sick leave records.
• Provide input regarding employee's evaluations throughout the initial probation period, and document performance and disciplinary issues as needed.
• Oversee preparation of menus, food storage, preparation and serving of meals including special diets and nutritional guidelines for youth, and maintain related records and forms.
• Ensure kitchen staff and resident workers are properly trained and supervised.
• Train and advise kitchen staff regarding proper supervision of residents, resolve problems, and ensure removal of resident workers who do not comply with kitchen rules.
• Conduct regular inspection of all kitchen areas to ensure proper sanitation, waste disposal, food storage, proper use and maintenance of kitchen equipment, and ensure working conditions are safe.
• Troubleshoot equipment problems and oversee the repair of kitchen equipment.
• Provide input regarding employee's evaluations throughout the initial probation training period, document performance and disciplinary issues as needed.
• Provide input and recommendations regarding kitchen/food service operations as requested.
• May serve on interview panels for hiring of new staff.
• Order food including staples, frozen foods, produce, and dairy products; receive, inspect, store, maintain, and inventory supplies.
• Oversee and maintain the child nutrition program at CCFJC as well as USDA commodities program.
• Problem solves issues with deliveries, staff schedules and operational functions.
• Conduct weekly and monthly inventory to ensure adequate food supplies are available, including review and revision of purchase orders.
• Monitor inventory and place special orders as needed to ensure adequate food supplies and ingredients are available.
• Respond to resident kites and grievances related to food services.
• Work collaboratively with other staff to assist with coordination of special events.
• Utilize computers on a regular basis for completion of various functions including entering payroll for food service staff, inventory control, preparation of menus, and accessing various forms; utilize computerized spreadsheets (Excel) to track costs, access tracking charts, and work schedules; utilize automated systems to verify resident population, special diet locations; and utilize computer (MS Word/Outlook) for routine correspondence, e‑mail, and automated department training.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Food service/kitchen operations

Inventory management

Computer skills (Excel/MS Word/Outlook

Education

High School Diploma or GED

ServSafe certification within 6 months

Food Handler's Permit

Washington Driver's License

Tools

Excel

MS Word/Outlook

Job description

Summary

This recruitment will remain open on a continuous basis until vacancies have been filled. Applications received by November 1st, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. will have first consideration. The Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time (40 hours/week) Cook/Baker II position. The current vacancy is located at the King County Correctional Facility (Downtown Seattle, WA). This position may work at any of the three locations on a rotating basis to assist with coverage during vacations or other absences but will primarily be assigned to a single facility based upon an annual bid process.

This recruitment will remain open on a continuous basis until vacancies have been filled. Applications received by November 1st, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. will have first consideration. The Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time (40 hours/week) Cook/Baker II position. The current vacancy is located at the King County Correctional Facility (Downtown Seattle, WA). This position may work at any of the three locations on a rotating basis to assist with coverage during vacations or other absences but will primarily be assigned to a single facility based upon an annual bid process. NOTE: This selection process will fill our current vacancy but will also create a pool of qualified candidates should an additional Career Service Cook/Baker II position open up within the next 12 months.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Cook/Baker IIs perform a wide variety of duties, including organizing and assigning work to Cook/Baker staff, supervision and scheduling of resident kitchen workers, monitoring food supplies and inventory, overseeing the training of new employees, providing input regarding performance evaluations and disciplinary issues, initiating work orders for equipment, and troubleshooting and resolving problems/disputes to maintain and ensure smooth food services operations. Cook/Baker IIs report directly to the Food Services Manager.

The Food Services team members are assigned to any of the three facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (Downtown Seattle, WA), the Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent, WA), or the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (First Hill Seattle, WA). Depending on where the position is located, this team has direct contact with and supervision of resident workers within a secure correctional facility, or is responsible for preparing and delivering meals to youth in detention. If you are the type of person that enjoys working both independently and as part of a team and providing exemplary customer service to a diverse group of people (both staff and residents), you are the type of person we're looking for.

DAJD is striving to provide in custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve. The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention is a professional and nationally recognized organization that supports safe, vibrant, and healthy communities in partnership with other criminal justice and human service agencies.

Job Duties

SCOPE OF JOB DUTIES

The job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of this position.

• Supervise staff and organize and assign work to Cook/Bakers. Assign tasks to staff. Aid and advise employees regarding food service/kitchen issues that arise.
• Maintain staff schedule, including vacation and sick leave records.
• Provide input regarding employee's evaluations throughout the initial probation period, and document performance and disciplinary issues as needed.
• Oversee preparation of menus, food storage, preparation and serving of meals including special diets and nutritional guidelines for youth, and maintain related records and forms.
• Ensure kitchen staff and resident workers are properly trained and supervised. Train and advise kitchen staff regarding proper supervision of residents, resolve problems, and ensure removal of resident workers who do not comply with kitchen rules.
• Conduct regular inspection of all kitchen areas to ensure proper sanitation, waste disposal, food storage, proper use and maintenance of kitchen equipment, and ensure working conditions are safe. Troubleshoot equipment problems and oversee the repair of kitchen equipment.
• Provide input regarding employee's evaluations throughout the initial probation training period, document performance and disciplinary issues as needed.
• Provide input and recommendations regarding kitchen/food service operations as requested. May serve on interview panels for hiring of new staff.
• Order food including staples, frozen foods, produce, and dairy products; receive, inspect, store, maintain, and inventory supplies.
• Oversee and maintain the child nutrition program at CCFJC as well as USDA commodities program.
• Problem solves issues with deliveries, staff schedules and operational functions.
• Conduct weekly and monthly inventory to ensure adequate food supplies are available, including review and revision of purchase orders. Monitor inventory and place special orders as needed to ensure adequate food supplies and ingredients are available.
• Respond to resident kites and grievances related to food services. Work collaboratively with other staff to assist with coordination of special events.
• Utilize computers on a regular basis for completion of various functions including entering payroll for food service staff, inventory control, preparation of menus, and accessing various forms; utilize computerized spreadsheets (Excel) to track costs, access tracking charts, and work schedules; utilize automated systems to verify resident population, special diet locations; and utilize computer (MS Word/Outlook) for routine correspondence, e‑mail, and automated department training.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• 21 years of age or older by the closing date of this announcement.
• Food Handler's Permit as issued by Seattle-King County Health Department
• Have or the ability to obtain ServSafe certification within the first six months of employment
• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• Full‑time work experience in large‑quantity food preparation and baking (minimum of 500 servings per meal)
• Minimum of 24 months lead or supervisory experience in an institutional food service setting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The individual selected for this position will be required to complete a thorough background investigation process, including fingerprinting, criminal history check, medical physical, psychological examination, and reference checks. A valid Washington State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel around the county is required by time of hire.

SELECTION PROCESS

Your application must provide clear and detailed information on your relevant education, training, work experience and history. Your application materials MUST validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be further screened using additional screeners and interviews. Additional screening may include skills assessment tests.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. You can attach multiple documents if necessary or required, such as your letter of interest and optional resume to your electronic application; however, you must still completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.

WHO MAY APPLY

This opportunity is open to all qualified candidates. Internal consideration may be given to current DAJD and King County employees. Applicants requesting Veteran's Preference must provide a copy of their DD‑214, a scanned (pdf format) copy will suffice for this purpose.

WORK LOCATION

Located at one of the three secure facilities located in Seattle (KCCF and CCFJC) and Kent (MRJC). This position may work at any of the three locations on a rotating basis to assist with coverage during vacations or other leaves but will primarily be assigned to a single facility based upon a biannual shift bid process. Facility/assignments (locations and shifts) are based on staffing needs of the department and subject to collective bargaining unit bid processes.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Candidates must be willing and able to work within the secure perimeter of a detention facility with resident contact.

WORK SCHEDULE

The current vacancy is full‑time (40 hours/week). The assigned schedule is dependent upon the facility at which the incumbent will work, but may include day, evening, and/or weekend shifts.

NOTE

Due to the 24‑hour nature of the facility, shift hours or days may be increased or changed and employees may be required to work mandatory overtime when necessary due to staffing or other emergencies.

UNION MEMBERSHIP

This position is represented by the by Teamsters Local 117.

DEPARTMENT CONTACT

Questions regarding this announcement or position may be directed to Jasna Rustempasic, HR Analyst at 206‑477‑4149 or via e‑mail at [e-mail]

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Guided by our values, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.