COOK

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, prepares and cooks food for residents and employees of a County institution; cares for equipment, utensils, supplies and work areas; supervises inmate or ward workers; and does other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class are distinguished from the next higher class of Head Cook in that the latter is responsible for planning meals that meet nutritional guidelines and for the training and supervision of employees in this class.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Prepares and cooks a variety of food in quantity;
• Assists in planning meals to feed the inmate or ward population at any given time;
• Cuts and prepares all types of meat, poultry and fish; prepares, cooks and dispenses vegetables, salads, desserts, soups and beverages;
• Prepares special diets as directed;
• Reads, follows and adjusts recipes for larger numbers;
• Cleans and maintains utensils, equipment and work areas;
• Supervises and assists in cleaning kitchen facilities and equipment;
• Trains and supervises inmate workers who prepare and serve food;
• Picks up supplies and delivers prepared foods;
• keeps records.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Working knowledge of:

• Methods and equipment used to care for, prepare, cook and serve food in an institutional settings or commercial kitchen.
• Kitchen sanitation and safety measures.
• Operation, cleaning and care of utensils, equipment and work areas.

• Prepare, cook and serve a variety of attractive and nutritious meals in large quantities.
• Assure adequate food is prepared to feed the daily population.
• Train and direct the work of inmates assigned as kitchen helpers.
• Understand and follow recipes and written and oral instructions.
• Keep simple records.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Lift items weighing up to 60 pounds from floor level, such as boxes of produce.
• Practice security measures.
• Work alone for long periods.
• Stand and walk for long periods with intermittent breaks.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:
One year of experience cooking meals in a large institutional or commercial kitchen.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California class C driver license.

Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to the possibility of burns and/or bodily injury; infections which might cause chronic disease or death; variable temperatures; electrical hazards; insect bites or stings; chemical irritants; high levels of noise; and potentially hostile inmates.

Other Special Working Requirements: Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays and on an emergency, as needed basis. Candidates working in juvenile detention facilities are subject to the State of California Board of State and Community Corrections Title 15 – Minimum Standards for Juvenile Facilities and must pass a pre-employment medical evaluation and physical examination that meet the requirements of Title 15, Article 3.

Bargaining Unit: General Representation
EEOC Job Category: 08
Occupational Grouping: 27
Worker's Comp Code: 0285