Corrections Cook I

About the role

The Corrections Cook I performs work in food production and service in a corrections/detention facility, performing volume cooking and preparation of regular and special diet foods according to prescribed menus and recipes; oversees inmates in food service work.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for volume cooking of entrees, baking and other preparation of regular and special diet food, by following established preparation procedures and presentation standards and making production adjustments as needed;
• Ensures that meals are prepared, properly portioned, delivered and served on schedule;
• Checks quality and preparation by monitoring temperature and tasting foods before service;
• Operates, monitors and performs operator-level maintenance of standard food service equipment including ovens, steamers, refrigeration, slicers and mixers, etc.;
• Inspects food handling and storage procedures to ensure compliance with sanitation standards;
• Maintains security, order and discipline of inmates by continually monitoring inmate behavior and removing agitators from the workplace;
• Secures and assures safe usage of knives, cleavers and other utensils stored in a locked cabinet;
• Checks kitchen areas for contraband;
• Accompanies inmates in meal delivery to separate jail facilities;
• Provides input into the improvement of food production, service and sanitation procedures;
• Provides input into recipe formulation and menu content;
• Writes reports, following standard format, and may give verbal accounts of work area accidents and inmate misbehavior;
• Answers food-related grievances from inmates by rectifying kitchen staff mistakes in meal preparation;
• Maintains security, order and discipline of inmates by continually monitoring inmate behavior and removing agitators from the workplace;
• Secures and assures safe usage of knives, cleavers and other utensils stored in a locked cabinet;
• Checks kitchen areas for contraband;
• Accompanies inmates in meal delivery to separate jail facilities;
• Provides input into the improvement of food production, service and sanitation procedures;
• Provides input into recipe formulation and menu content;
• Writes reports, following standard format, and may give verbal accounts of work area accidents and inmate misbehavior;
• Answers food-related grievances from inmates by rectifying kitchen staff mistakes in meal preparation.

Requirements

• One year of experience in large-scale food preparation. (Large-scale food preparation includes food preparation in an institutional setting, e.g., hospital, nursing home, corrections/detention facilities, school or industrial plant cafeterias, large full-service and fast-food restaurants, commercial cafeterias/buffets, hotel/convention banquet facilities, military feeding facilities (ashore or afloat) or similar mass-feeding or catering operations.)
• Or Completion of a culinary arts program through a career and/or technical school, community college or equivalent
• Current ServSafe or equivalent certification.

Qualifications

• Valid driver license is required at time of application.
• Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment.

Special Notice

• All positions require satisfactory completion of a background investigation due to need for access to law enforcement, corrections or courts facilities, property, communication systems and associated confidential and sensitive information, documents, databases and evidentiary materials.
• Pre-/post appointment drug screening and polygraph examinations are required of all positions in this classification due to need for access as described above.
• Some positions may require bi-lingual abilities in English and a second language, as determined by the department.

Physical/Sensory Work Requirements

• Lifts/carries up to 50 pounds;
• Stands for extended periods of time;
• Properly wears required safety clothing and/or equipment;
• Tolerates exposure to cleaning chemicals.
• Reacts to physical confrontations and emergency situations quickly and effectively;
• Hears and understands speech and radio transmissions.

Working Conditions

• Works in extremes of heat, moisture and humidity.
• Works in confined spaces for prolonged periods of time.