Assistant Cook

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), is currently recruiting for an Assistant Cook to join our food services team!

If you have full-range experience in preparing and cooking food, we invite you to explore this opportunity to join state service!


POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• LOCATION: J.M. Wright Technical High School (Stamford, CT)
• SHIFT: Full-time | first shift | 37.5 hours per week
• SCHEDULE: 6:00AM - 2:00PM, Monday through Friday
• NOTE: This is a 10 month position that operates during the school year, returning to work after summer break.

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT


As a State employee, you will receive benefits, including:

• State Employee Retirement plan;
• A variety of medical and dental options;
• Sick and personal leave, including 13 paid holidays per year;
• The State of CT is an eligible Public Services Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

Visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more!


In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:

• Providing limitless opportunities;
• Hiring for diverse and fresh perspectives;
• Performing meaningful work and;
• Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.


YOUR ROLE


In this role, you will assist with the preparation and cooking of a variety of foods, including soups, salads, meats, vegetables, desserts, beverages, and other menu items. You will help maintain a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen environment by cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment, utensils, dishes, and work areas, as well as operating kitchen machinery and equipment. Additional responsibilities include assisting with receiving and storing food deliveries, supporting meal service and food packaging, maintaining production records, and providing meal preparation support in the absence of the Cook. This position offers valuable experience in large-scale food preparation while contributing to the daily operations of a dynamic educational environment dedicated to student success.

In this position, you will:

• Prepare and serve complete daily meals;
• Follow basic food safety and sanitation guidelines and procedures;
• Interact with various populations including students, faculty and administration;
• Use basic technology, including email.

The person hired in this position will be required to obtain a ServSafe Certification within 60 days of hire.


More details can be found within the 'Example of Duties' and in the class specification.


ABOUT US:

CTECS serves approximately 11,200 full-time high school students. We have upgraded state-of-the-art classrooms and industry-standard equipment in every shop, giving students a well-rounded, 21st century education.

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Career progression pathway within the State of Connecticut: starting with Assistant Cook, advancing to Cook, then Head Cook with additional opportunities beyond!


Selection Plan

NEW : Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT:

• Please include any related endorsements and/or certification and licensure credential details within your application.
• Be sure to select all locations you are interested in and commutable to.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.


BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Salary Calculations : For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• NEW : Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at
• Please note that CTECS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:


Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Samantha Rivera at View email address on click.appcast.io

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!


PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

This class is accountable for performing a full range of basic tasks in the preparation and cooking of food.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Performs a variety of basic tasks in preparing soups, salads, meats, vegetables, desserts, beverages, nourishments, etc.;
• Cleans, washes, polishes pots, pans, dishes, silverware, kitchen equipment, floors, walls, etc.;
• Operates kitchen machines and equipment;
• Assists with the receiving and storage of food;
• May participate in serving food and packing food for delivery;
• May receive training in the preparation of food on a large scale;
• May prepare food in the absence of the cook;
• May assist in the preparation of production records;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • simple food preparation;
  • liquid and dry weights and measures;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to follow instructions and learn routines;
• Mathematical ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any experience and training which would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in preparation and serving of complete daily meals in a large scale (500 meals per day) institutional or commercial setting.
• Experience using institutional food service cooking equipment.
• Experience following basic food safety and sanitation guidelines and procedures.
• Experience using basic computer software systems including email.
• ServSafe Certification or the ability to obtain within a 60 day period upon official hiring date.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
• Incumbents must be free from communicable diseases.
• A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights; may be exposed to risk of injury from equipment and utensils used in the kitchen and from patients/clients.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.