COOK, AC

Description

If you are excited to make a difference in the lives of others and join a team that works towards a meaningful purpose, apply to be a Cook AC (Adult Corrections) at SCCC with the Department of Corrections (DOC).
 
Stafford Creek Corrections Center is a 1,936-bed multi-custody facility located five miles west of Aberdeen, on the southern Washington Coast. There are seven living units for medium and minimum long-term custody Incarcerated Individuals and an intensive management unit for maximum-custody Incarcerated Individuals.
 
Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all Incarcerated Individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.
 
 As a member of the DOC team, you will not only have access to a benefits package, but you will also have the opportunity to continue building your career with us. Join our team to be part of an organization that is dedicated to offering opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. 

Apply today to join our team and start making a real difference in your community!

In order to be considered for this position, please apply directly at www.careers.wa.gov to this announcement AND attach the following items to your application:

• A current resume (indicating your related experience)
• A letter of interest (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position
• Three (3) professional references

We are looking for evidence in your application materials that you have the experience, skills, and abilities indicated in this job posting. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements of this position may be invited to interview. Carefully review your application before submitting. All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

AGENCY PROFILE:

For additional information about our agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.

DOC OFFERS:

• Flexible schedules
• Comprehensive compensation packages
• Training and development opportunities

Duties

This position contributes to the agency’s mission to improve public safety by providing oversight for the vocational training, direction, and supervision of an Incarcerated Individual work crew. The Cook A/C provides Incarcerated Individuals needed vocational and job skills training to become better prepared and equipped to find meaningful and productive employment upon their transition into the community. Under the supervision of a Cook A/C, Incarcerated Individuals attain job skills and training in the preparation, cooking, serving, and storage of food, and receive instruction in the appropriate use of equipment.

The duties of the Cook, AC include, but are not limited to:
 
Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift:

• Perform mathematical calculations, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control protocols.
• Check food product during and after preparation, ensuring appropriate quality standards are met and that adequate quantity has been prepared.
• Follow basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents 
• Maintain and track knife and tool inventory

Supervise and instruct Incarcerated Individuals in general cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation and service:

• Supervise, train, and instruct Incarcerated Individuals in general food services practices
• Supervise and train Incarcerated Individuals in preparing special diets (medical or religious) and preparing and setting up satellite trays or carts and serving lines. 
• Supervise, coach, instruct, train, and provide constructive feedback to Incarcerated Individuals in the safe handling, operation, care, use, and cleaning of kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grills, steam kettles.
• In accordance with policy, train Incarcerated Individuals in the preparation and serving of food, hygiene, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), use and care of equipment, and safety hazards (HAZMAT).

Perform inventory and reporting tasks:

• Maintain and organize accurate food inventories, and rotate stock items 
• Complete, monitor, and maintain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) logs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent and successful completion of a culinary arts program at an accredited community college or vocational technical school.

• Ability to:

• cook a variety of foods
• follow written and oral instructions
• write clearly, factually, and concisely
• read, understand, estimate quantities and follow recipes with minimal waste
• effectively communicate verbally
• schedule and organize daily work
• operate and demonstrate the safe handling and operation of kitchen equipment, e.g., mixers, ovens, choppers, slicers, grills, steam kettles
• maintain security, order, and discipline of Incarcerated Individuals supervised
• role model appropriate behavior to Incarcerated Individuals 
• supervise, coach, train, and provide constructive feedback to Incarcerated Individuals in general kitchen operational practices

• Knowledge of:

• a variety of foods
• alternate food preparation methods i.e., cook/chill and cook/freeze
• basic arithmetic, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• food service practices, food preparation, and production methods and procedures
• food service record keeping
• HACCP protocols, practices, and tools for food service

• Understanding of:

• weights and measures and differentiate between applications
• re-thermalization of food process/procedures

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Successful completion of classes relating to food safety and food service sanitation.
• Ability to problem solve on short notice.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Complete a felony disclosure form prior to employment and submit to a criminal background check.
• Successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service and other required training.
• Provide physical residential address and home telephone number to the Department of Corrections.
• Become familiar and comply with all Department policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
• Submit to drug testing in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement and agency policy.
• This position is included in a union shop. 
• Possess and maintain a current Food Handlers permit.
• In an emergency situation employees may be asked to stay for an extended period of time and perform duties appropriate to the situation.

Supplemental Information

Vision:  Working together for safer communities.
Mission:  Improving public safety by positively changing lives.
Our Commitment:  To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
 
DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.
 
IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.  If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
  **Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration. 
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Telework Details
This position may be allocated for telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time.  Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite.  Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.
 
What We Offer: 
As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.   Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [email protected] or call us at 360-537-2203. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.