FOOD SERVICE HANDLER (PART-TIME)

Cameron County; San Benito (TX); On-site; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Cameron County is seeking a Food Service Handler to join the facility kitchen. The role involves delivering meals to juveniles, preparing modified meals as directed by health professionals, and maintaining inventory and records to ensure accurate daily usage.

The position requires English communication, the ability to work in a secure facility, and certification as a Food Service Handler. A drug screen and background check are mandatory; bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be 21+ years of age and hold a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English; bilingual preferred.
• Must obtain Food Service Handler certification.
• Background check and pre-employment drug screen required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver meals to juveniles.
• Prepare modified meals as advised by health professionals and accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Monitor daily population and inventory usage; maintain accurate records.
• Serve food according to approved menus and policies.
• Assist with ordering from local vendors and receiving supplies.
• Ensure kitchen and dining areas are clean, safe, and compliant with health codes.
• Complete consumption reports and submit orders to facility data clerk.

Skills

English communication

Food safety

Food service operations

Inventory management

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

FOOD SERVICE HANDLER

HOURLY: $15.00 per hour

REPORTS TO:

Assigned Operations Manager and/or designee

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job as required by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, to include at a minimum a high school diploma or GED.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age;
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; bilingual preferred
• Ability to be certified as a Food Service Handler; and
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Responsible for the delivery of food to juveniles;
• Ability to prepare modified meals based on the recommendation of a health care professional; and those diets that require adherence to religious dietary laws;
• Responsible for monitoring the daily population of juveniles in Detention, ARAVC and LIFE and consumption reports of product used during each meal to maintain an accurate inventory;
• Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in establishing food quantities based off the daily population of juveniles within the three facilities and day programs;
• Responsible for serving all food items according to approved menu specifications defined by departmental policies and procedures;
• Understanding of the inventory in preparation for the placing of orders from local vendors with regards to all foods, produce, dairy, bread, and other non-food items in order to run the kitchen effectively and efficiently through the use of the Procurement Process for Food Purchase policy;
• Receives, checks, and stores food and kitchen supplies upon arrival as described in the Procurement Process for Food Purchase policy;
• Responsible for kitchen and dining operations such as food services, clean-up, and storage of dishes and mess hall equipment;
• Knowledge on the use and care of kitchen appliances and equipment being utilized in the CCJJD kitchen;
• Operate tools and equipment according to prescribed safety standards;
• Attend staff meetings and training as required;
• Follow established procedures for locking, checking and safeguarding facilities;
• Ability to apply safety and health protection procedures at all times;
• Ensure that food is produced safely and is of high quality according to standards, policies, procedures, and department requirements. Store and handle food items and supplies safely following health and safety codes and regulations;
• Ensure that appropriate quantities of food are prepared and served in compliance with all guidelines
• Complete and submit consumption reports and received orders to facility data clerk
• Dispose of all garbage and empty boxes on a daily basis
• Must wash dishes, sweep, mop, and sanitize the kitchen area on a daily basis
• Maintain daily temperature logs as required for equipment and food preparation;
• Report any maintenance issues to the Kitchen Manager in a timely manner;
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times;
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment;
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations;
• Adhere and comply with CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining an effective safety program as established by Cameron County;
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all times, both on duty and off duty;
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants availability;
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time either with or without notice;
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Food safety and sanitation;
• Must be able to communicate via e-mail and other electronic means as necessary;
• Must be proficient in the use of personal computers (excel/word);
• Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures;
• Standard practices in area of assignment;
• Safety and security techniques and standards;

Skills In:

• Problem solving and decision making;
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability To:

• Required to work a rotating schedule in order to meet the needs of the department to include Holidays and Weekends;
• Must establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with fellow employees and the general public;
• Use of kitchen appliances and equipment;
• Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in establishing food quantities;
• Ability to apply safety and health protection procedures;
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team;
• Reason and make judgments and decisions;
• Maintain resident and program confidentiality;
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals;
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities;
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially;
• Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public; and
• Operate vehicle to pick up and drop off food or for any other .

WORK ENVIORNMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment;
• Duties are performed in a secure juvenile correctional facility requiring rotating shifts
• Facility is operational seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day, including weekends and holidays. The environment is hazardous due to the aggressive or violent acting-out behavior of the juveniles;
• Absolutely no electronic devices or cell phones allowed in the facility while either on/off shift;
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste and foul odors;
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment;
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds;
• Visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment;
• Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform essential functions;
• Subject to stressful environment and resident contact for extended periods of time;
• Work inside in commercial kitchen environment using standard large and small kitchen equipment and tools including but not limited to pressure steamer, combi-oven, sharp cutting tools, braiser, convection oven, food processor, utility carts and mobile racks, institutional sinks and walk in cooler and freezers;
• Exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, extreme humidity, noise, vibration, microwaves, biological hazards (bacteria, mold, fungi), chemical hazards (fumes, vapors, gases), and electrical hazards;
• Work on slippery surfaces; and

Work Uniforms:

• County provided shirts
• No open toe shoes;
• If visible tattoos, sleeves or cover ups must be worn;
• A hair net must be worn at all times while in the kitchen
• Sets the example regarding personal appearance with regards to hair being neatly trimmed and combed and tied back daily (women);
• Only jewelry allowed is a watch, wedding band and stud earrings for females. Necklaces may be worn inside your county issued shirt.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER