COOK SPECIALIST II

State of California; California; On-site; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California Patton State Hospital is hiring a Cook Specialist II in the Nutrition Services Department. The role involves preparing, cooking, chilling, and dispensing meals for patients under the direction of Supervising Cook I, with responsibilities including adherence to HACCP plans and supervision of kitchen staff.

Minimum requirements and health clearances apply; a drug screen and background check are required prior to hire.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing food for large patient populations.
• Knowledge of sanitation and safety in food service.
• Ability to supervise and train kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepares, cooks, chills, and dispenses food for patients.
• Adheres to HACCP plans.
• Cares for culinary equipment, supplies, and work areas.
• Leads and instructs Cook Specialist I and Food Service Technician and others.

Skills

HACCP knowledge

Supervision

Food preparation

Job description

$4,239.00 - $5,206.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/3/2026

Patton State Hospital, Human Resources Department, is accepting applications for at least one (1) Permanent, Full-Time, Cook Specialist II position. The vacanciesexist in the Nutrition Services Department and are under the direction of the Supervising Cook I.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

• Prepares, cooks, chills, and dispenses food for patients of a State Hospital.
• Adheres to HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) plans.
• Cares for culinary equipment, supplies, and work areas.
• Leads, instructs and works with Cook Specialist I and Food Service Technician, and other related work.

ABILITY TO:

Communicate at a level required for successful job performance; prepare and cook all food groups and use appropriate equipment; judge food quality; plan work schedule and prepare and follow menus, recipes, and formulas; determine food quantities necessary for groups of varying size; instruct and work with assistants and helpers from the resident population; keep records and prepare reports; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

KNOWLEDGE OF :

Principles, procedures, and equipment used in the storage, care, preparation, cooking, and equipment used in the storage, care, preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food in large quantity; kitchen sanitation and safety measures used in the operation, cleaning, and care of utensils, equipment, and work areas; food handling sanitation; food values as well as nutritional and economical substitutions within food groups; principles of effective supervision and instructing and working with assistants and helpers from the resident population; food accounting and keeping records and preparing reports.

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

Patton is a forensic psychiatric hospital and was established in 1890 andopened in 1893. DSH-Patton provides treatment to forensically and civillycommitted patients within a secure treatment area. The hospital does not acceptvoluntary admissions.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• COOK SPECIALIST II

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Please review the Benefits Summary that may also be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website. You will find information on the benefits afforded by membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act, and salary ranges and a summary of theCook Specialist II classification.

Contact Information

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Patton

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources - Employment Unit
[phone]

EEO Contact:
Rachel Guerrero
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.