Cook 2 (Cook 1 in-training) - Reentry Bellingham

Salary: $3,243.00 - $4,620.00 Monthly
Location : Whatcom County - Bellingham, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 9
Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Reentry - Reentry Centers
Opening Date: 06/13/2025
Closing Date: 6/29/:59 PM Pacific

Description
Cook 2 (Cook 1 in-training) Permanent
(On-call positions available)

Bellingham Reentry Center - Bellingham, WA

Salary Range: $3,243.00 - $4,620.00
The salary amount listed does not reflect increases effective July 1, 2025.
Our agency is looking to hire a full-time Cook 2 position within the Reentry Division. This position is based at Bellingham Reentry Center in Bellingham, WA. The hours of work for this position are 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Days off are Thursday, Sunday, and Monday. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple on-call Cook vacancies.
The Mission of the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
This position contributes to the agency's mission to improve public safety by positively changing lives by planning, ordering, preparing and serving the resident population at Reentry Centers with nutritionally appropriate, quality meals that meet the recommended daily allowance as specified in the Department's certified meal plan. Meals for residents are prepared and served in a timely manner in accordance with the applicable state and federal regulations and within the budgetary requirements. This supports the Reentry Division purpose of providing individuals with tools and resources for targeted opportunities to successfully transition back into the community by ensuring residents have nutritionally balanced, healthy, and safe food available during their transition.

A completed application packet will include:
•  A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
•  A detailed resume
•  Three (3) Professional References (to include valid contact phone number and email address for each) Duties
We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.
As a Cook 2, some of your duties will include:
Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift:
•  Perform mathematical calculations by converting recipes to determine the appropriate quantity of food products required to meet menu requirements and populations to be served.
•  Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control protocols.
•  Check food product during and after preparation, ensuring appropriate quality standards are met and adequate quantity has been prepared.
•  Understand and apply rethermalization of food process/procedures if appropriate.
•  Practice and perform progressive cooking techniques for quality control and to decrease waste within the food service area.
•  Follow basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents.
•  Prepare special diets as required (medical or religious).
•  Maintain and model the highest standards of personal hygiene.
•  Keep work surfaces and equipment clean and in compliance with state and local Health Department sanitation standards.
•  Follow basic safety practices to avoid hazards and accidents .
•  Maintain and track knife and tool inventory. Perform ordering, inventory, storage, use and reporting tasks:
•  Maintain and organize accurate food inventories and ensure rotation of stock items to prevent spoilage and pilferage.
•  Receive, store and distribute raw and prepared or prepackaged food products in accordance with required standards.
•  Receive, store and use chemicals and cleaning supplies appropriately.
•  Prepare and submit work orders/equipment repair orders. Monitor residents, ensure safe and secure operations:
•  Execute and maintain tool control processes according to DOC policy.
•  Maintain key control per DOC policy.
•  Ensure safe handling, operation, care, use and cleaning of kitchen equipment Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications
Two (2) years' cooking experience in a large-scale food service or culinary operation. Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience

- OR -

One (1) year as a Cook 1 in State service
Current food handler permit required.
To qualify as a Cook 1 in-training:
•   Current food handler permit
•   One year of experience in food preparation or cooking, in an institutional or commercial food service setting. Completion of a course in large-scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience.
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
•   Role model appropriate behavior to residents
•   Supervise, coach, train, and provide constructive feedback to residents 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
•   Rethermalization of food process/procedures 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.

For more information about our agency, visit our
The WA State Department of Corrections (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:
•   This recruitment may be used to fill more than one position. If this position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), this recruitment may be used to fill additional positions up to sixty days after all listed positions have been filled.
•   References: A minimum of three professional references with a valid email and phone number for each is required. Although current and recent supervisors are preferred, 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, include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
•   Salary is based on skills and abilities that apply to the primary functions of the role and/or years of experience and is decided at the time a final offer of employment is made. The salary range listed in the job posting includes steps A-M, or A-U if a registered nurse (RN). Within your permanent salary range, step M (or step U if an RN) is a longevity step, it is typically gained six years after being assigned to step L (or step T if an RN).
•   Work with or near incarcerated or supervised individuals: This position may work directly with or near incarcerated or supervised individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Take this into account before applying.
•   Background and criminal record history checks will be conducted prior to employment. Information gathered may not preclude employment, but it will be considered in determining your suitability for the position.
•   Pre-employment drug test: A drug test may be administered as part of the pre-employment process. Applicants who test positive for a controlled substance may 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 you 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 sixty days of the date ofhire. If the test result is positive, further information, testing, and treatment will be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
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