
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $37,398.40 - $49,940.80
Work Schedule
On-call
Weekend Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee assistance program
Training and Development
Diverse workforce
Job Description
Stanislaus County is a vibrant and diverse community located in California, known for its beautiful parks, excellent educational institutions, outstanding healthcare facilities, and a rich spectrum of cultural and sporting events. The community thrives on a motto of "Striving to be the Best," reflecting a commitment to quality service and dedication in all aspects of county operations. Residents and employees of Stanislaus County enjoy a high quality of life featuring music festivals, art exhibitions, golf courses, river rafting, boating activities, and much more. The county is recognized for its energetic yet affordable living environment, making it an ideal place to start and raise a family while maintaining access to a variety of entertainment and recreational opportunities. The workforce in Stanislaus County represents a diverse array of backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise, which is embraced as a strength that enhances the county’s ability to serve its community effectively. The county also emphasizes professional growth and development, encouraging continuous learning and offering wide-ranging career pathways to help employees advance and succeed in their professional journeys.
The Sheriff’s Department of Stanislaus County is currently hiring for the positions of Assistant Cook I and Assistant Cook II. These roles form the foundation of the food service operation within the department, providing vital support in preparing and serving meals to both staff and inmates. The Assistant Cook I position is entry-level and involves performing routine tasks under close supervision, including preparing food, cleaning kitchen equipment and utensils, and maintaining sanitary conditions throughout the kitchen area. This role is pivotal in ensuring that meals are prepared in accordance with dietary guidelines and therapeutic diet manuals, thereby supporting the health and well-being of the facility’s population.
The Assistant Cook II position carries greater responsibility and leadership duties, functioning in a lead capacity. Individuals in this role assist in food preparation and service, oversee the training of Assistant Cook I staff, and maintain accurate records related to food production and inventory. The Assistant Cook II also plays a key role in ensuring compliance with nutritional standards and sanitation protocols, often stepping in to manage food service operations in the absence of higher-level supervisors. Both positions require flexibility as they may include duties subject to overtime, shift work, standby, callback, weekend, and holiday assignments.
These roles demand individuals who possess a dedication to maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene, and service quality, while working efficiently in a secure institutional environment. Both Assistant Cook I and II positions require good physical stamina to handle tasks such as lifting, carrying, and standing for extended periods in fluctuating temperature conditions. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and the ability to follow detailed instructions.
Working with Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the community by supporting essential services within a critical institutional setting. The positions provide not only a stable employment opportunity but also the chance to be part of a team dedicated to public safety and care. The county values its employees and provides an environment that fosters respect, diversity, and continuous learning, making it an excellent place to build a career in public service food operations.
The Sheriff’s Department of Stanislaus County is currently hiring for the positions of Assistant Cook I and Assistant Cook II. These roles form the foundation of the food service operation within the department, providing vital support in preparing and serving meals to both staff and inmates. The Assistant Cook I position is entry-level and involves performing routine tasks under close supervision, including preparing food, cleaning kitchen equipment and utensils, and maintaining sanitary conditions throughout the kitchen area. This role is pivotal in ensuring that meals are prepared in accordance with dietary guidelines and therapeutic diet manuals, thereby supporting the health and well-being of the facility’s population.
The Assistant Cook II position carries greater responsibility and leadership duties, functioning in a lead capacity. Individuals in this role assist in food preparation and service, oversee the training of Assistant Cook I staff, and maintain accurate records related to food production and inventory. The Assistant Cook II also plays a key role in ensuring compliance with nutritional standards and sanitation protocols, often stepping in to manage food service operations in the absence of higher-level supervisors. Both positions require flexibility as they may include duties subject to overtime, shift work, standby, callback, weekend, and holiday assignments.
These roles demand individuals who possess a dedication to maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene, and service quality, while working efficiently in a secure institutional environment. Both Assistant Cook I and II positions require good physical stamina to handle tasks such as lifting, carrying, and standing for extended periods in fluctuating temperature conditions. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and the ability to follow detailed instructions.
Working with Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the community by supporting essential services within a critical institutional setting. The positions provide not only a stable employment opportunity but also the chance to be part of a team dedicated to public safety and care. The county values its employees and provides an environment that fosters respect, diversity, and continuous learning, making it an excellent place to build a career in public service food operations.
Job Requirements
- High school graduate or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency
- pass a thorough background investigation
- no felony convictions
- be of good moral character without convictions punishable by imprisonment in federal or state penitentiary
- one year of experience working in a large food/dietary service department in an institutional facility (only for Assistant Cook II)
- pass County-paid pre-employment job-related background investigation
- perform job duties safely
- maintain confidentiality as required
- possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and meet County insurability requirements (for some positions)
- serve probationary period if applicable
- comply with overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday, and shift assignments
Job Qualifications
- High school graduate or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency
- pass a thorough background investigation
- no felony convictions
- good moral character without convictions punishable by imprisonment in federal or state penitentiary
- one year of experience working in a large food/dietary service department in an institutional facility (for Assistant Cook II)
- knowledge of large scale food preparation and storage methods
- understanding of sanitation, safety, and personal hygiene principles related to food service
- basic math skills for inventory and food preparation calculations
- ability to follow verbal and written instructions
- ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- ability to work in fluctuating temperature conditions
- maintain professional attitude and confidentiality in a secure environment
- ability to use and care for kitchen equipment
- ability to prepare and serve large quantities of food attractively
- ability to write simple reports and maintain production records (Assistant Cook II)
Job Duties
- Clean and prepare vegetables and fruits
- operate kitchen equipment including microwave, coffee machines, blender, mixers, and meat slicer
- prepare sandwiches, coffee, custards, and gelatins
- serve food in a cafeteria setting
- prepare meals in accordance with the therapeutic diet manual
- perform a variety of cleaning and custodial work such as washing dishes, pots, pans, and kitchen utensils
- load, unload, operate and clean dishwasher
- mop floors
- clean and sanitize all kitchen surfaces and refrigerator walls and floors
- dispose of garbage in compactor or dumpsters
- store, rotate, and distribute food and supplies
- prepare and serve between meal nourishment
- transport food to appropriate destinations
- confer with Food Service Supervisor regarding duties, standards, and procedures
- check menus for all meals according to diet sheet
- prepare daily tallies of food orders and record on production sheet
- check trays filled on tray line for attractiveness and compliance with diet sheets
- load trays on carts to be taken to destination
- assist in staff scheduling and instruction regarding methods, equipment operation, food arrangement, sanitation, and safety standards
- manage food service operations in the absence of supervisors
- provide input for evaluations of Assistant Cook I staff
- assist cook/chill kettle, bakery, prep room, and catering events
- fill in for Assistant Cook I where necessary
Job Criteria
Experience
Entry Level (1-2 years)
Job Location
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