Sr. Institutional Cook (Probation) - Orange County

PROBATION DEPARTMENT
OC Probation assists the criminal justice system in Orange County, California by making a safer Orange County through positive change. Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the Probation Department is comprised of three bureaus: Adult Operations, Juvenile Operations and Operations Support. As a public safety agency, the Department serves the community using efficient and research supported corrections practices to reduce crime, assist the Courts in managing clients, promoting lawful and productive lifestyles and assisting victims. You can learn more about the OC Probation Department by clicking here.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Sr. Institutional Cook supervises staff in the preparation, cooking and serving of food and cleaning dishes, equipment and food preparation areas. In some assignments may be required to train, direct, and supervise juveniles in custody. In addition, the position prepares, cooks and serves food; checks menu for items to be prepared; makes substitutions on the menu when foods indicated are unavailable; determines quantities of ingredients to be used for the number of servings to be prepared; estimates number of persons to be served; assists in ordering, receiving, checking and storing foods and supplies; inspects food preparation areas to ensure that sanitary procedures are observed; ensures that proper techniques and procedures are being used by persons engaged in food service activities; prepares records and reports; and ensures institutional rules are being followed. The position may also perform meat cutting and baking duties.

Sr. Institutional Cooks will be assigned to work at either Juvenile Hall or the Youth Guidance Center, and some positions may have contact with juveniles in custody. Juvenile Hall operates 24-hours-per-day, 7- days-per-week and must meet stringent guidelines established by the California Board of State and Community Corrections. Primary responsibilities include: providing a safe environment for the youthful offenders in custody, ensuring sufficient well-trained staff are available, developing and providing a broad range of treatment and rehabilitative programs to meet the youths' needs, adhering to all laws/regulations/licensing requirements for correctional facilities, and overseeing correctional facility maintenance and development.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have considerable experience preparing and cooking large quantities of food. Experience working in a setting such as a correctional facility, hospital, the military, a large restaurant, banquets/catering, cafeteria, or similar type of setting is highly desirable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

General Knowledge of:

• Practices, methods and equipment used in preparing, cooking and serving large quantities
• Common weights and measures used in cooking
• Food handlers' sanitation and safety practices

Some Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of supervision

Ability to:

• Supervise and train paid staff and/or oversee and train jail inmates or juvenile wards in the preparation, cooking and serving of food
• Direct the preparation of and/or prepare, large quantities of food
• Coordinate cooking processes so that meals are prepared and served on time
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide up to four-digit numbers and fractions
• Read and understand recipes, instructions and labels
• Prepare records and reports
• Read, write, speak, comprehend and communicate in English

Click here to learn more about the Sr. Institutional Cook job description, minimum qualifications, and physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Sr. Institutional Cooks will work rotating schedules including weekends, holidays, and on an emergency basis as needed. Senior Institutional Cooks will be assigned to work at either Juvenile Hall or the Youth Guidance Center, and some positions may have contact with juveniles in custody.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
The Probation Department requires that all candidates undergo an extensive background investigation process, to the satisfaction of the Department. Candidates must successfully clear prior to the start of their employment. All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify the most qualified applicants.  After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.  All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process.  Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all applications and supplemental responses to identify candidates with qualities that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Resumes will not be accepted and/or screened in lieu of applications during the application screening step, therefore, you will need to demonstrate your qualifications on your application.

Written Exam (Weighted 100%)
A written exam consisting of job-related, multiple-choice questions will be administered. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications based on their application, will be invited by email to participate in the written exam.

Based on the Department's needs the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List 
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.