Cook II (Lifting & Carrying)

The Hawaii State Judiciary is a government entity responsible for the administration of justice within the state of Hawaii. It operates various facilities including the Hale Hoomalu Juvenile Detention Facility located in Kapolei, Oahu. This secure detention facility provides critical services around the clock, maintaining a safe and structured environment for juveniles in custody. As part of its commitment to maintaining high standards of operation, the Judiciary seeks dedicated professionals to join its team and contribute to its mission of fairness, justice, and community safety.

The Cook II position at the Hale Hoomalu Juvenile Detention Facility offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for culinary professionals who thrive in a fast-paced, secure setting. This full-time role involves working beyond the typical eight-hour day and may require shifts during evenings, weekends, holidays, and on short notice to ensure the timely preparation and serving of meals in a 24/7 secure juvenile detention environment.

This role is vital to the daily operation of the facility's kitchen, ensuring nutritious and safe meals are prepared for juveniles and staff. The Cook II is responsible for performing cooking activities at a cooking station within a large kitchen or for managing all cooking activities in a smaller kitchen setting. The position may include supervising kitchen and cook helpers, highlighting the importance of leadership and teamwork within this role.

Candidates for this role must possess at least two years of progressively responsible experience in quantity cooking, which encompasses the daily preparation and serving of meals in institutions such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, or similar settings. Mastery of a broad range of cooking methods and food types is essential, with duties ranging from assisting in simple cooking tasks such as timing and flavoring, to more complex responsibilities such as preparing special diets, including soft, salt-free, allergy-sensitive, or pureed meals.

The position requires physical strength and endurance, with the need to lift and carry items weighing up to 70 pounds. This physical component is critical given the volume and nature of the food preparation involved. Moreover, compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is mandatory, with strict background checks to ensure no past engagement in sexual abuse or harassment in correctional or juvenile facilities.

The Judiciary values the importance of education and training, allowing for substitutions of formal cooking or cafeteria management education towards the general experience requirement on a year-for-year basis. Selected candidates will engage in a dynamic work environment that promotes professional growth and fosters respect for all individuals within the facility.

Overall, this position requires a highly motivated individual with strong culinary skills, a commitment to food safety, and the ability to work collaboratively in a challenging environment dedicated to serving youth and supporting community justice objectives. The Cook II role at the Hale Hoomalu Juvenile Detention Facility is not only about cooking but also about contributing to a larger social mission by supporting the health and well-being of detained youths through quality food services.