Cook - REENTRY Seattle

Cook 2 - Permanent (Reynolds Reentry Center, Seattle, WA)

Department of Corrections, Reentry Division – Cook 2 position. Salary ranges:
Cook 1 $ 3,554 – $4,719;
Cook 2 $ 3,897 – $5,209.

Full‑time position.

Work hours:

3:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Applications will be reviewed weekly. The Cook 2 is an in‑training position; depending on qualifications the selected candidate may start as Cook 1 or Cook 2.

Permanent duty station in King County qualifies for a 5% premium pay. Free ORCA card for employees in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

• Submit a complete application package directly eers.wa.gov.
• Package must include:
  • Current resume
  • Letter of interest
  • Three professional references with valid email and phone number for each (see Supplemental Information for definition of a professional reference).
• Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to improving public safety by positively changing lives. DOC staff collaborate with law enforcement, treatment providers, and community members to facilitate transition for incarcerated individuals.

• Flexible schedules
• Comprehensive compensation packages
• Training and development opportunities
• Public service fulfillment

Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift:

• Convert recipes to calculate appropriate quantities of food products for menu requirements.
• Ensure adherence to portion control protocols.
• Check food quality and quantity during and after preparation.
• Apply rethermalization processes when appropriate.
• Use progressive cooking techniques for quality control and waste reduction.
• Follow basic safety practices to prevent hazards and accidents.
• Prepare special diets (medical or religious).
• Maintain high personal hygiene standards.
• Keep work surfaces and equipment clean and compliant with sanitation standards.
• Track knife and tool inventory.

Perform ordering, inventory, storage, use and reporting tasks:

• Maintain accurate food inventories and rotate stock to prevent spoilage and pilferage.
• Receive, store, and distribute raw and prepared food products per quality standards.
• Store and use chemicals and cleaning supplies appropriately.
• Prepare and submit work orders and equipment repair requests.

Monitor residents, ensure safe and secure operations:

• Execute tool and key control processes per DOC policy.
• Ensure safe handling and maintenance of kitchen equipment.

Other duties as assigned.

• Two (2) years’ cooking experience in large‑scale food service or culinary operation, or
  • One (1) year as a Cook 1 in State service.
• Current food handler permit required.
• Ability to:
  • Cook a variety of foods.
  • Follow written and oral instructions.
  • Write clearly, factually, and concisely.
  • Read, understand, estimate quantities and follow recipes with minimal waste.
  • Communicate verbally effectively.
  • Schedule and organize daily work.
  • Operate kitchen equipment safely (mixers, ovens, choppers, slicers, grills, steam kettles).
  • Model appropriate behavior to residents.
  • Supervise, coach, and train residents in kitchen operations.
• Knowledge of:
  • Variety of foods and alternate preparation methods.
  • Basic arithmetic.
  • Food service practices, preparation, and production methods.
  • Food service record keeping.
  • HACCP protocols and tools.
• Understanding of weights and measures, and rethermalization processes.
• Current food handler permit and at least one year of food preparation experience in an institutional or commercial setting. Completion of a large‑scale cooking course may substitute one year of experience.

Vision:
Working together for safer communities. Mission:
Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

• Fourteen to twenty‑five paid vacation days per year (depending on years of service).
• Eight hours of paid sick leave per month.
• Eleven paid holidays per year (includes one personal holiday).
• One personal leave day per year (in accordance with the CBA).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP).
• Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).
• Additional benefits available on the benefits page.

• PERS:
  State…