Cook II (Lifting & Carrying) - Kapolei, Oahu

Hawai`i State Judiciary Careers; Kapolei (HI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawai`i State Judiciary Careers is seeking a Cook II for the Hale Hoomalu Juvenile Detention Facility in Kapolei. The role includes performing general cooking activities, supervising kitchen staff, and ensuring meal preparations meet specific dietary needs.

Applicants must have two years of quantity cooking experience, knowledge of food preparation methods, and the ability to lift and carry items up to 70 pounds. This position demands flexibility in work hours as it supports a secure detention environment.

Qualifications

• Two years of general quantity cooking experience in a relevant environment.
• Thorough knowledge of cooking methods and food preparation.
• Able to perform tasks with little to no supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform cooking activities at a cooking station.
• Supervise kitchen helpers as necessary.
• Prepare meals for juvenile detention facility.

Skills

Quantity cooking experience

Knowledge of foodstuffs

Supervisory skills

Ability to lift up to 70 pounds

Education

Completion of cooking-related course

Job description

Position Specific Description

Salary rate effective July 1, 2026. Work Location: Hale Hoomalu Juvenile Detention Facility in Kapolei, Oahu.

Recruitment Number 26-120JC, Cook II (Lifting & Carrying), BC‑08*, Kapolei, Oahu.

Hours of Work

These positions require work beyond regularly scheduled hours on short notice to assist with the preparation of meals for a 24‑hour/7‑day secure detention facility; this may require work beyond 8 hours in a day and/or 40 hours in a work week, including evenings, days off and holidays.

Summary of Duties

Performs cooking activities at a cooking station in a large kitchen or has responsibility for all cooking activities in a small kitchen; may supervise kitchen and cook helpers; and performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualification Requirements – General Experience

Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience which demonstrates that the applicant has acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to perform general quantity cooking duties. (Quantity cooking is defined as experience in the daily preparation and serving of meals in a restaurant, hotel, hospital, school or institution.)

Applicants must have had experience which demonstrates that they have acquired a thorough knowledge of all types of foodstuffs and cooking methods to perform general cooking duties with little or no supervision. These duties must range from performing simple and routine tasks to progressively more difficult tasks, including assisting in cooking, timing, flavoring, stirring, and cooking meats, fish and poultry by roasting, baking, broiling, frying, and preparing baked products. The more difficult tasks include preparing modified or special diet meals and handling soft, salt‑free, allergy or puree diets.

Non‑Qualifying Experience: Experience limited to serving, cleaning, washing dishes, only one phase of cooking such as fry‑cooking, or other work that does not afford the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge of quantity cooking will not be accepted as qualifying.

Substitutions Allowed

• The completion of a course in cooking or baking and cooking at a technical school that included substantial training in quantity cooking, plus actual practice in daily cooking, may be substituted for one (1) year of the required general experience.
• The completion of a course in cafeteria management at a technical school that included substantial training in quantity cooking, plus actual practice in daily cooking, may be substituted for general experience on a year‑for‑year basis.

Selective Certification Requirement – Lifting & Carrying

All current vacancies require the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 70 pounds.

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Requirement

In accordance with the PREA Federal law, the Hawai`i State Judiciary shall not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with detainees in juvenile facilities and lockups, inmates detained in a prison or jail, or residents of community confinement facilities who has engaged in sexual abuse or related conduct as described below:

• Has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution;
• Has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse;
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above;
• Has been the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, or resigned during a pending investigation of alleged sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

Supplemental Information

Any additional information may be attached to your online application, submitted by email to [e-mail], or mailed to the following address: Hawaii State Judiciary, Human Resources Department, 426 Queen Street, First Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Education: If you are using education as a substitution for experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. If you are selected for a position, we will request an official transcript (not a copy) at a later date. The official transcript must indicate completion of the training and/or the awarding of the appropriate degree.