Cook - Temporary

County of Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Monterey Probation Department is recruiting a temporary Cook to provide meals to two Juvenile Institutions. Under direction, prepares and serves meals in an institutional kitchen at the Youth Center and may lead residents in kitchen duties.

Responsibilities include following standardized recipes, maintaining sanitation and safety, and assisting with deliveries to other department locations. Applicants should have one year of experience cooking bulk quantities; some positions

Qualifications

• One year of experience preparing and cooking bulk quantities of food to serve large, single-seating meals.

Responsibilities

• Follows standardized recipes to prepare food, including entrees, vegetables and side dishes for various clients.
• Prepares completed recipes for presentation and serving.
• Provides direction and instruction to subordinate kitchen staff to meet production requirements
• Performs sanitation duties according to established standards, procedures and regulations.
• Assists with the receiving and storing kitchen deliveries.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required
• Performs Food Service Worker duties as necessary

Skills

Food preparation

Kitchen safety

Record keeping

Job description

Final Filing Deadline: November 30, 2026

Exam: T26/70K23/11TH

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The County of Monterey Probation Department is recruiting to fill a temporary Cook. The Cook provides meals to two Juvenile Institutions. Under direction, prepares and serves meals in an institutional kitchen at the Youth Center. May lead and direct residents in kitchen duties, and participates in kitchen and cooking utensil cleaning. May be assigned to drive and deliver meals to other department location(s). The current position available is a temporary position.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Flexible staffing: This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Follows standardized recipes to prepare food, including entrees, vegetables and side dishes for various clients
• Prepares completed recipes for presentation and serving.
• Provides direction and instruction to subordinate kitchen staff to meet production requirements
• Performs sanitation duties according to established standards, procedures and regulations.
• Assists with the receiving and storing kitchen deliveries.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker as required
• Performs Food Service Worker duties as necessary

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Working knowledge of:

The principles, procedures and equipment used in the storage, care, preparation, cooking and serving of food in large quantities

Kitchen sanitation and safety measures used in the operation, cleaning and care of food, utensils, equipment, and work areas

Skill and Ability to:

• Prepare and serve both large and small quantities of food in accordance with standards of time, quality and waste
• Keep accurate and timely records
• Adjust recipes to meet food production needs

EXAMPLES OF EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience

One year of experience preparing and cooking bulk quantities of food to serve large, single-seating meals.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Some positions may be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical/medical assessments and background check
• Some positions may be required to work shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Some positions may require a valid California Class C Driver’s License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority
• Some positions may be required to accept responsibility to wear personal protective gear as appropriate

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Some positions may be required to work in an environment with potentially hazardous and infectious substances, such as body fluids, blood, and airborne contagions

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Monterey is a drug‑free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. The County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact Trisha Hidalgo, Human Resources Analyst, at 831-784-5710, or [e-mail]