Jail Food Services Cook

This job posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on October 26, 2026; the deadline may be extended to expand the candidate pool.

About the role

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Cook for the Clackamas County Jail. This position provides large‑quantity meal service to adults in custody. The Cook is responsible for maintaining clean cooking equipment and work areas, providing a variety of meals — including hot and cold dishes, sack lunches, snacks, and special dietary meals — and may provide limited training and direction to adults in custody acting as kitchen assistants.

Responsibilities

• Prepares meals according to established menus, including special meals to meet therapeutic and religious dietary needs; uses a variety of cooking methods (baking, broiling, frying, steaming); cleans, trims, cuts and prepares meats and vegetables.
• Maintains kitchen, cooking equipment and dining areas in a safe and sanitary condition; ensures cooking utensils, dishes and silverware are clean; maintains security procedures for food service to inmates/residents.
• Assists in preparing and maintaining records related to the operation of the kitchen area; assists in storing food and materials and maintaining inventories.
• Assists in the training and instruction of adults in custody/resident kitchen assistants in proper sanitation, safety and work procedures.

Requirements

• At least one (1) year of experience working independently in an institutional or commercial kitchen operation.
• Experience preparing a wide variety of meals and menus, including special dietary considerations.
• On‑the‑job knowledge and experience in sanitation methods for food preparation and serving areas.
• Experience working in a position requiring the ability to maintain composure in stressful situations when dealing with a variety of people.
• Must possess a Food Handlers Certificate at time of hire.
• Must be First Aid/CPR certified within six (6) months of hire.
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Must pass a post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test.
• Must pass an extensive background investigation, including national fingerprint records check.
• Must pass a post‑offer physical assessment; accommodation requests reviewed individually in compliance with State and Federal legislation.
• Driving may be necessary for County business. For occasional/incidental driving, a valid driver’s license is required; accommodation requests for alternative transportation reviewed individually. For regular driving, an acceptable driving record must be maintained throughout employment.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working in a correctional institution or with justice‑involved clients.

Skills

Working knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of food handling, preparation, cooking and storage
• Institutional kitchen operations
• Nutritional food values
• Sanitation methods for food preparation and serving areas
• Basic math, including fractions
• Security measures in a correctional institution
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions

Skill to:

• Cook and handle food in an appropriate, sanitary manner to maintain appealing and nutritious food content
• Safely operate, clean and service kitchen equipment and utensils
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions including menus and recipes
• Comply with health and food handling standards
• Follow and adjust recipes to obtain required quantities
• Make appropriate recipe substitutions
• Evaluate food qualities such as freshness, cleanliness and proper cooking
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Train and assist adults in custody/residents in kitchen activities
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships

Schedule

This position works a four (4) day work week, ten (10) hours per day, either day shift or swing shift (no graveyard). Work days include weekdays and weekends. Shifts are bid on every six (6) months per union contract.

Working conditions

Duties require considerable standing, upper body movement, bending and lifting. The position is assigned to an adult custody setting involving frequent contact with adults in custody who may exhibit severe antisocial behavior. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays as scheduled.

Pay

Annual pay range: $56,607.85 – $71,708.71. Hourly pay range: $27.215311 – $34.475340. Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range based on the candidate’s experience (paid or unpaid) directly relevant to the position.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off package: 11.7 hours of vacation accrual per month (newly hired employees have a one‑time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals), 8 hours of sick accrual per month, 10 paid holidays and 2 personal days per year.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP): employer‑paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (county pays the employee’s share); OPSRP members vest after five years of contributions or at age 65.
• Employer‑paid 4% Deferred Compensation.
• Employer‑paid 4% to Medical Trust.
• Choice of medical plans including chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Choice of dental plans.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Longevity pay.
• Additional retirement savings options, including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan with pre‑ or post‑tax contributions.
• A variety of additional optional benefits.
• Health and wellness classes, events, and alternative care benefits.
• Benefits become effective the first of the month following date of hire.

About the department

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) has served the community since 1845. Its mission is to provide public safety services so residents can experience a safe and secure community, fulfilled through teamwork and partnerships guided by core values: Courage, Dedication, Integrity, Professionalism, and Respect. CCSO serves over 400,000 residents with over 400 employees, patrolling unincorporated areas and several contracted cities. Specialized units include canine, motorcycle patrol, dive team, SWAT, search and rescue, narcotics investigation (SIU), detectives, and Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Sheriff's Office operates the county jail, parole and probation, transitional services, and provides support to other county agencies. CCSO is committed to enhancing a diverse workforce through active recruitment, equal employment