Cook Pool - Part-Time and Full-Time - MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 41,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

State of Oregon is seeking cooks for the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn to prepare nutritious meals for youth. You will supervise and train youth in cooking, ensure dietary requirements, and uphold high food safety standards.

Open to part-time and full-time roles. Experience in food service and a county food handler's card are preferred. This role involves shift work in a correctional facility and interaction with youth in custody.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a cook in a food service facility.
• Certificate of Completion in culinary arts and/or Foods and Hospitality Service from a certified community college or technical school.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and trains youth in meal preparation, food safety, and sanitation.
• Prepare meals daily according to OYA menus and recipes.
• Maintain inventory records and manage kitchen supplies and equipment.

Skills

Cook experience

Food safety

Education

Culinary arts cert

Job description

Position Title

Cook Pool - Part-Time and Full-Time - MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility

Initial Posting Date

01/29/2026

Agency

Oregon Youth Authority

Salary Range

$3,705.00 - $5,066.00

Position Type

Employee

Location

Woodburn, OR - MACLAREN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Job Description

The Oregon Youth Authority is seeking dedicated and skilled Cooks to join our team at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility where you will be providing nutritious, balanced meals for the youth we serve. In this role, you will be responsible for food preparation, ensuring meals meet dietary requirements, and maintaining high standards of food safety. A key aspect of the position involves direct interaction with the youth in our program, where you will supervise and train young individuals in cooking and kitchen tasks while preparing and serving meals. This hands‑on approach helps foster life skills and a sense of responsibility in our youth. Additional duties include maintaining accurate record‑keeping of meal inventories, tracking food supplies, and ensuring that kitchen equipment and resources are properly managed. If you have a strong culinary background and a passion for working with youth, we encourage you to apply.

Top Duties Of The Position

• Supervises and trains youth in custody in the preparation of meals, food safety and sanitation practices and usage of kitchen tools and equipment.


• Woks independently while cooking, preparing and coordinating nutritious and appealing meals form OYA menus and standardized recipes.


• Performs daily cooking tasks and meal preparations using a variety of kitchen equipment.

Additional Information

• Open Until Filled: This recruitment will remain open until filled. Our first application screening is scheduled for 10/2/26 at 8:30am, but we may close the announcement at any time after this date when we have received an adequate number of applications. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after this screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying


• This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current and future vacancies - permanent, full-time, part-time, limited duration (limited duration appointments are benefits eligible and have a designated maximum length of service, these positions have the potential to become permanent), and temporary positions.


• Bilingual applicants encouraged to apply but must have intermediate English proficiency or higher for this role.


• Representation: This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU/OPEU).


• Your application materials are used to determine your starting salary range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying. For more information on pay equity, click here.


• The salary range listed above is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.


• This position receives annual increases on anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.


• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• OYA facilities are tobacco free environments.


• Shift work in a 24-hour, 7-day a week operation, with night shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.


• Adhere to the dress code of the specific work site.


• Frequent exposure to verbal abuse, threats, and dealing with impulsive, rebellious, assaultive youth.


• Uses commercial cooking equipment (slicers, mixers, and choppers)


• Use of computer and USDA approved software for menu developments, standardization of recipes, and nutrient analysis.


• The use of reasonable force in the performance of duties or during a disturbance or other emergency situation may be required.


• Physical standards for vision, hearing, dexterity, push/pull, running, and jogging.


• Transport youth as requested, and, if in a security position, operate state vehicles constantly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of experience as a cook in a food service facility OR


• Possession of a Certificate of Completion in culinary arts and/or Foods and Hospitality Service from a certified community college or technical school.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a food handler's card, must have the ability to obtain the appropriate county food handler's card within 30 days of hire.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES/APPLICATION SCORING CRITERIA

Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.

• Strong communication skills


• Reliability, consistently dependable and punctual, demonstrating accountability and follow through with job responsibilities


• Teamwork and collaboration


• Food safety and sanitation knowledge


• Positive role modeling


• Adaptability

ABOUT OYA

At OYA, diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than just words on a page. To meet our mission and live our values as an agency, DEI must be at the heart of all we do. We support cultural competence, develop teams and cultivate leaders in ways that are equitable to everyone, especially people of color, those who identify as LGBTQ+, or those from other marginalized communities. We are explicit and intentional as we identify resources that all our youth and staff need to grow and prosper. Our DEI work connects closely with our culture of positive human development, with safe and supportive environments where everyone is held accountable and connected to their community. The end goal is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.

If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences, with the opportunity to contribute to youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you! People of color, women, and other members of historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply!

Additional Information

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.” The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternate format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Pre-employment Checks

In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening and/or education verification as required for the position.

In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities. In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards.

All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a \"mandatory reporter\" of child abuse.

Visa Sponsorship

We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

Have Questions?

For questions about the job announcement, email [e-mail].