Food Preparer

Lubbock County; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center is seeking a Food Preparer to assemble nutritious meals from daily menus while maintaining sanitary kitchen standards in line with state and federal guidelines. The role requires adherence to menu plans, timely meal service, accurate record-keeping, and safe food handling.

Experience in institutional kitchens and ability to read menus are essential. Flexibility for shifts, attention to safety, and willingness to comply with all regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• NCIC/TCIC employment guidelines must be met.
• Candidate must have good moral character.
• Ability to read and write English proficiently to follow menus and complete reports.
• At least one year experience in an institutional kitchen or one year of related schooling.

Responsibilities

• Follow daily menu plans and approved recipes; request supervisory approval for changes.
• Serve meals on assigned times and maintain sanitary kitchen conditions.
• Maintain daily meal production records and inventory controls.
• Prepare nutritious snacks for residents in the evenings.
• Ensure food products are stored properly and temperatures are recorded.

Skills

English literacy

Moral character

Job description

The Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center Food Preparer shall prepare nutritious meals in accordance with daily menus in a timely manner. The Food Preparer shall maintain sanitary kitchen conditions, in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines.

• Follow daily menu plans and approved recipes. Request supervisory approval of any menu changes.
• Serve all meals in accordance with assigned meal times.
• Maintain daily record of all meals served. This includes but is not limited to meal production sheets for all meals served.
• Utilize appropriate equipment to prepare and serve each meal in a nutritious manner.
• Prepare nutritious snacks for the residents each evening.

• Check all incoming food products for proper packaging and damage before storing.
• Store opened packages of dry goods in plastic canisters that are labeled as to contents.
• Store all food products including but not limited to: fruit, potatoes, and onions, in appropriate bins or at least six inches off of the kitchen floor.
• Maintain temperature records on refrigerators and deep freezers to make sure food is properly cooled.
• Check weekly for spoilage, and notify supervisor of any products that need to be properly disposed.
• Report for work clean and in clean clothing. Maintain well-kept appearance for duration of shift.
• Wear hair shield during working hours. Assure that anyone working in kitchen wears hair shield as well.
• Nails and hands shall be washed thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap after using restroom, and prior to food handling.
• Wear sanitary gloves when serving food.
• Clean all supplies and equipment thoroughly after each use before being placed in storage.
• Sweep and mop entire work area at the end of each shift.
• Clean kitchen in accordance with checklist at the conclusion of each shift.
• Conduct thorough cleaning of all major equipment on a weekly basis.
• Dust all storage shelves and cabinets by removing stored food or supplies on a weekly basis.
• Dust all food containers.
• Maintain shift inventory and security of all knives and other objects in knife drawer. Keep knife drawer locked at all times. Notify Food Service Supervisor or Support Services Manager immediately of any missing knives, other potential weapons, or any violent, dangerous situation.
• Notify supervisor immediately of any missing, damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
• Ensure that the dining area is clean at the conclusion of each shift.
• Maintain security of doors in kitchen area; assure the doors are locked at the end of the shift.
• Assure that all equipment is turned off and stored properly at the end of each shift.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be eligible for appointment as a Food Preparer or part-time Food Preparer, a person must: 1) Meet NCIC/TCIC employment guidelines; 2) Be of good moral character; 3) Be able to read and write the English language to a level of proficiency that will allow the employee to prepare a meal from a menu, unassisted, and complete all other required reports; and 4) Have at least one year experience in institutional kitchen setting or one year of related schooling.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Standards for Juvenile Detention Facilities and Juvenile Residential Facilities.

ABILITY TO:

Prepare meals for a flexible, daily student population, and 12 staff members three times daily, and evening snacks for students; and make informed decisions; and effectively communicate in writing and orally.

REQUIRED TO HAVE:

• Telephone;
• An automobile
• A valid Texas Driver's license
• Liability insurance on vehicle used for work purposes.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND HOURS:

Workspace is located in the secured area of the Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center, which is a non-smoking building.

Workweek will be flexible hours within a forty (40) hour time period. The workweek begins on Saturday and concludes on the following Friday. Overtime will be compensated at the rate of time and one half or time for time, depending on the hours worked per week.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that 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.

Equal Employment Employer: Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.