Sheriff's Jail Cook

What We Offer

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee in this position will also be eligible for the following:

• Educational Incentive – 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor’s degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive – Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department. Applicants must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency examination.
• Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. Up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans – Flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Pre‑tax benefit toward eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan – Participation in the County’s defined benefit pension plan. Eligible persons may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Holidays – 12 paid days per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has immediate openings for experienced cooks who will perform large‑quantity cooking in a sheriff’s correctional institution. This role involves the preparation and serving of food to jail inmates, along with supervising inmate workers.

• Prepares and cooks food in accordance with the State of California requirements for prisoner and inmate caloric intake.
• Assists in serving food at correctional facilities.
• Maintains cleanliness of the working area and equipment.
• Directs and trains inmate workers in the preparation and serving of food.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum 2 years of experience as a cook in a kitchen preparing a variety of meals in large quantities.

• Working knowledge of methods of preparing food in quantity and considerable variety, kitchen sanitation, and food storage.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of others; write simple English sentences; understand and follow written and oral instructions and recipes; prepare tasty food, serve it attractively, and produce large quantities with minimal waste.

• Possess or obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
• Willing and able to work rotating 12‑hour shifts, weekends, and holidays.

• Experience as a cook in a correctional facility, military setting, hospital, university, or other large‑scale eatery.

Shift differential of 5% of base pay for rotating shifts. Salary is within the posted salary range.

To apply online, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). For paper applications, call 805‑654‑5129. Final date to receive applications is continuous; apply as soon as possible.

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex, or sexual orientation.