Cook

Job Summary

Under close supervision, performs service work of preparing, cleaning and cooking a variety of foods using standardized or revised recipes. Performs all work using appropriate safety procedures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a job classification within the Maintenance job family. This classification is responsible for routine food preparation and kitchen work. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, prepares and cooks meats, soups, vegetables, sauces and gravies, salads and desserts. Checks food for appearance and taste.
• Serves meals using proper portion control and acceptable methods of serving. Carves and displays meats, vegetables, salads and desserts. Plans for proper utilization of overproduced foods.
• Operates, cleans, and maintains cooking utensils and related equipment used in the preparation of meals. Ensures equipment is operational. Maintains cleanliness and safe working conditions in the kitchen area in accordance with Health Department standards.
• Ensures proper storage of food and supplies. Stores and rotates perishable and nonperishable food. Monitors inventory of food supply. Sets dishes and dining room equipment in proper storage. Receives and monitors kitchen deliveries.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience: One (1) year of increasingly responsible food preparation experience in a food service facility; OR, Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Food Handler's Registration as issued by the Austin/Travis County Health Human Services Department or by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Preferred: Food Service Manager Certificate as issued by the Texas Board of Health. Valid Texas Driver's License. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of:

• Methods of preparing and storing food in large volumes.
• Methods of preparing modified and calculated diets.
• Health, sanitation, nutritional and safety practices involved in food preparation.
• General office/clerical practices and procedures.

Skill in:

• Using and cleaning equipment and materials for food preparation.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Exercise judgment and initiative in estimating food quantities.
• Work independently and efficiently.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Determine appropriate procedures, methods, and priorities for completing assigned work.
• Follow, understand and carry out verbal and written instruction and/or directions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-20 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, reaching, twisting to perform the essential functions. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. Work Hours: Up to 30 hours of work, Monday-Friday. Works some holidays, Works some nights, Works some weekends Location: 2515 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 Department: Juvenile Probation Criminal, Driving, Education, Drug Test, Alcohol Test and Employment Background Checks Required. For updates or questions on this position, contact: View email address on click.appcast.io This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification. On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January March 3 personal holidays

April - June 2 personal holidays

July - September 1 personal holiday

October - December None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a