Cook II

About the role

Performs complex (journey-level) food preparation work. Work involves following standardized menus in the preparation of breakfast, noon, and evening meals. Ensures cleanliness and organization of the kitchen. Provides guidance to staff/students in food preparation and storage. May prepare requisitions. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Duties

• Prepares, seasons, and cooks food according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or established standards; tests formulas and standardized recipes; and checks and tastes food during preparation for conformance to standards.
• Maintains an inventory of supplies and prepares requisitions for needed items.
• Inspects food preparation equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure sanitary conditions. Studies cooking and kitchen operations and assists in making recommendations for improving operating efficiency.
• Reports kitchen equipment in need of repair or replacement.
• Ensures that food is maintained at proper serving temperatures.
• Instructs staff in setting up serving lines and serves food as appropriate.
• Aids in reviewing and planning menus to determine types and quantities of food to be prepared.
• Understands and applies Texas Model 2.0 Principles.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Texas Model 2.0 by contributing to a structured, emotionally supportive, and predictable kitchen environment. Fosters positive relationships, emotional regulation, and skill development among staff and students, in alignment with the core principles of the Texas Model 2.0.
• Possesses a foundational understanding of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Applies these skills to create a calm, collaborative, and emotionally regulated kitchen environment. Uses DBT skills to manage stressful moments and encourage effective communication and teamwork within the kitchen setting.
• Mindfulness: Uses mindfulness techniques to remain focused on tasks and ensure efficiency in food preparation.
• Emotional Regulation: Understands how to manage emotional responses to challenges and applies this understanding when guiding staff or students.
• Distress Tolerance: Recognizes the importance of handling stressful situations calmly and encourages staff to use appropriate coping skills.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Utilizes interpersonal effectiveness to foster clear, respectful communication and maintain positive working relationships with staff and students.
• Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.
• Performs all duties in compliance with TJJD safety policies and procedures.
• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible. Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested tim frames.

Requirements for Continued Employment

• Failure to maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination of employment.

Travel Requirements

• Travel 10% of the time to assist other facilities, participate in training programs, and help ensure best practices are shared and implemented in various locations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in food preparation work.
• Must possess an accredited food handler license, or successfully complete an accredited food handler training course within 60 days of hire.
• Preferred: Six months of commercial food service experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of: Quantity food preparation techniques and procedures. Modified and calculated diet preparation methods.
• Skill in: Cooking and baking and in the use and care of food preparation appliances and equipment.
• Ability to: Interpret and follow recipes. Compute basic mathematical calculations. Analyze problems and recommend solutions. Meet local health department and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) standards, including possessing or obtaining within 60 days of hire, an accredited food handler license. Train others. Complete any required agency training, which may require travel. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Work overtime and different shifts, including weekends. Perform physical duties.

Physical Requirements

• The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for this position: