Cook (Part-Time)

Ellis, County of (TX); McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Ellis County in Texas is seeking a Part-Time Cook to prepare, cook, and store meals for youth and staff in a secure juvenile services environment. The role emphasizes accuracy, timeliness, proper portioning, and strict adherence to dietary and safety standards.

You will maintain clean, sanitary kitchens, track temperatures, and assist with special meals while following security procedures and facility regulations. Prior related experience and relevant certifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required or preferred.
• Experience working with youth is preferred.
• Must obtain First Aid certification within six months.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals per menus and portion sizes.
• Prepare meals in sufficient quantities for facility.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and sanitation.
• Monitor temperatures and food safety.
• Follow security procedures in a juvenile facility.
• Assist with dietary restrictions and special meals.
• Submit weekly meal schedules and logs.
• Record and rotate stock and inventory.

Skills

Attention to detail

Dependability

Food safety practices

Education

High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate

Food Handler certification

First Aid Certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Part‑Time Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking, and storing meals for youth and authorized staff in accordance with established menus, nutritional requirements, food safety standards, departmental policies, and applicable regulations.

The Cook will maintain a clean, sanitary, and safe kitchen environment while ensuring meals are prepared accurately, timely, and in appropriate quantities. The position requires attention to detail, dependability, proper food-handling practices, and the ability to work effectively in a secure juvenile services environment.

Reports to the Deputy Director and Director of Juvenile Services.

Required Duties

Prepare and cook meals according to approved menus, recipes, and established portion sizes.

Prepare meals in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the facility population.

Provide weekly meal schedules and ensure meals are prepared and served on time.

Properly portion, package, and serve meals as required.

Accommodate approved dietary restrictions, allergies, medical diets, and religious or other authorized dietary requirements.

Properly store, label, date, and rotate food products.

Monitor food quality, freshness, and expiration dates.

Follow proper food preparation, cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding procedures.

Maintain appropriate food temperatures and complete required temperature documentation.

Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen equipment, utensils, food preparation areas, storage areas, and dining areas.

Clean and sanitize work surfaces, appliances, sinks, floors, and other kitchen areas as required.

Properly operate and maintain kitchen equipment.

Report damaged or malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate supervisor.

Monitor inventory and submit orders in timely manner

Maintain weekly logs for meals.

Minimize food waste and use supplies responsibly.

Maintain accurate records and logs as required by department procedures.

Follow established security procedures applicable to a secure juvenile facility.

Ensure kitchen utensils, equipment, food products, and other supplies are properly secured when not in use.

Report safety concerns, food safety issues, injuries, security concerns, or unusual incidents to the appropriate supervisor.

Follow all applicable health, sanitation, food safety, and departmental requirements.

Assist with special meals, events, and other food-service activities as assigned.

Work cooperatively with Juvenile Services staff and other kitchen personnel.

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or Juvenile Services administration.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must obtain First Aid Certification within six months of employment.

Must hold a valid Texas driver license and liability insurance coverage.

Driving record must reflect acceptable rating by Ellis County to operate a county vehicle.

Food Handler certification or other food-service certification may be required based on applicable regulations and departmental requirements.

Employee must obtain and maintain any required certification within the timeframe established by the department.

FOOD SAFETY AND SANITATION

The Part‑Time Cook is responsible for maintaining a high standard of food safety and sanitation, including:

Proper handwashing and personal hygiene.

• Prevention of cross-contamination.
• Proper handling of raw and cooked foods.
• Proper food storage and temperature control.
• Cleaning and sanitizing food-contact surfaces.
• Proper labeling and rotation of food products.
• Compliance with applicable health department and food-service requirements.
• Immediate reporting of suspected food contamination or foodborne illness concerns.

SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Because this position operates within a juvenile services environment, the employee must:

Follow all facility security procedures.

Comply with staff searches and security screening requirements.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with youth.

Never provide unauthorized food, items, medications, or other materials to youth.

Maintain control and accountability of kitchen equipment, utensils, and supplies.

Report prohibited items, security concerns, or policy violations immediately.

• Follow all rules regarding communication and interaction with detained or supervised youth.

Education and/or Experience

High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate, experience working with youth preferred.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must obtain First Aid Certification within six months of employment.

Must hold a valid Texas driver license and liability insurance coverage.

Driving record must reflect acceptable rating by Ellis County to operate a county vehicle.

Food Handler certification or other food-service certification may be required based on applicable regulations and departmental requirements.

Employee must obtain and maintain any required certification within the timeframe established by the department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position typically requires manual dexterity, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking, repetitive motions, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Performing the essential functions typically requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.

NOTICE

The above job profile does not include all essential duties of this job. All applicants and/or employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department to review and discuss the essential functions of the job, so that an applicant and/or employee can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if he/she can safely perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

DISCLAIMER

Job profiles are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions, or similar behaviors, attributes or requirements associated with a job. A job description is not a comprehensive job profile. It is intended for the sole purpose of acquainting a person who is unfamiliar with such a position with a brief overview of the position’s general direction and scope.