SENIOR COOK

County of Los Angeles Probation Department

Type of Recruitment

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

Exam Number

F6399F

Filing Period

Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. (PT).

This recruitment will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

Positions allocable to this class typically report to a Head Cook and are responsible for participating in and supervising the work of subordinate cooks, food service workers, contract employees and/or inmate workers engaged in all phases of food preparation and cooking in a County facility. Incumbents provide technical direction and training to less experienced cooks and food service workers in the standard techniques of quantity food preparation utilized in the mixing, cooking, baking, and serving of complete meals in an institutional environment.

Incumbents must possess the written and verbal communication skills necessary to follow daily/weekly meal plans and to supervise and monitor the work of staff, ensuring that food items are prepared properly and on time. Positions at this level must be experienced in modifying standardized recipes according to the needs of the facility or ingredients available. These positions provide training to subordinate staff in the safe use and care of kitchen equipment, overseeing the operation, breakdown, and cleaning of standard and specialized food service equipment and providing instruction in proper sanitation methods, as well as health and safety regulations.

Incumbents must have the ability to stand or walk for long periods of time, and may be required to bend, stoop, squat, and reach. Positions assigned to Probation Departments are required to work in a custody/detention facility and are distinguished by their responsibility for supervising inmate workers.

• Supervises and instructs food service staff including subordinate Food Service Workers and Cooks in standard preparation and cooking techniques utilized in the preparation of a variety of food items, proper use of various kitchen utensils and equipment, portioning and serving of food items, preparation and set up of meal facilities, and proper cleaning of dishes, pots, pans, equipment, kitchen work areas, and food storage areas.
• Creates work assignments and inspects the work of food service staff and/or inmate workers while in progress, and upon completion, to ensure that the quality of food prepared is acceptable and meets established dietary guidelines.
• Instructs food services staff and/or inmate workers in health and safety regulations and monitors compliance with those regulations.
• Inspects food supplies received, rejects those supplies of poor or unacceptable quality, oversees the proper storage of supplies accepted and monitors the rotation of supplies to prevent spoilage.
• Coordinates workstation cooking activities with those of other kitchen units, ensuring that food items are prepared on time and that food to be served is maintained at proper temperatures.
• Supervises the setup of meal facilities and oversees the serving of food in compliance with department policy and procedures and health and safety regulations.
• Ensures that utensils and work areas are clean and ready for the next shift.
• Submits requisitions for food supplies based on daily/weekly menu plans by utilizing computer software applications, as needed.
• Modifies recipes using computer software applications to meet changes in the number of servings and the substitution of recipe ingredients when other ingredients are unavailable.
• Performs baking duties or work in the butcher shop, as needed.
• Oversees the activities of a shift, as needed.
• Acts as a lead person, supervising and/or instructing youth in a County-sponsored program, as needed.

Option I: Completion of a certificate program accredited by the American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACFEF) of at least 48 semester or 72 quarter units in Culinary Arts from an accredited college AND two (2) years’ experience in quantity food preparation and cooking of complete meals in an institutional, commercial, military, or similar establishment.

Option II: Two (2) years'…