AC Cook

AC Cook | Teamsters

Multiple Positions Available

Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women | Gig Harbor, WA

Salary Range: $29.96 - $40.30 Hourly (On Call)

This recruitment will fill multiple on-call positions. The candidate of choice must be able to work in a Prison environment as you will be required to work in the facility daily.

The Washington State Department of Corrections Washington Corrections Center for Women is seeking dedicated cooks to join their team as an AC Cook! The goal of this position is to improve public safety by providing oversight for the vocational training, direction, and supervision of an incarcerated individual work crew.

The candidate of choice will provide incarcerated individuals needed vocational and job skills training to become better prepared and equipped to find meaningful and productive employment upon their transition back into the community. Under the supervision of an AC Cook, incarcerated individuals attain job skills and training in the preparation, cooking, serving, and storage of food, receiving and unloading trucks, and receive instruction in the appropriate use of equipment.

This supports the vision of working together for safer communities by providing individuals with tools, resources and opportunities that will farther their knowledge, skills and abilities.

If you are interested in applying and would like to be considered, please complete the full online application, attach a current Letter of Interest (preferably no more than two (2) pages) indicating how you meet the qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate for the position, and a current Resume.

Duties

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As an AC Cook, some of your duties will include:

• Participating in the preparation and service of all food on a shift which could include:
  • Performing mathematical calculations, to figure out the right amount of food to serve
  • Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control so you don't run out of food. Each item has a portion size
  • Checking food temperatures during and after preparation and make sure the food is held to temperature on the serving line
  • Following basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents such as slipping on wet floors or where food has been spilled, possible cuts from knives, and being burned from steam, hot foods, stove, hot grease, and water
  • Maintaining and tracking all tools controls from four cages within the kitchen
• Supervise and instruct offenders in general cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation and service which could look like:
  • Supervising, training and instructing offenders in general food services practices including receipt of goods, storage of goods, preparation, cooking, and serving of food
  • Supervising and training offenders in preparing special diets (medical or religious) and preparing and setting up satellite trays or carts and serving lines
  • Serving meals including segregation trays, service of mainline, preparation and distribution of sack lunches, and lock down meals
  • Supervising, coaching, instructing training and providing constructive feedback to offenders in the safe handling, operation, care, use, and cleaning of kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grills, steam kettles
  • In accordance with policy, training offenders in the preparation and serving of food, hygiene, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), use and care of equipment, and safety hazards (HAZMAT)
• Performing inventory and reporting tasks
• Supervising and monitoring incarcerated individuals
• Ensuring areas remain locked at all times

Qualifications

What we need (required qualifications):

• High School diploma or equivalent

AND

• Successful completion of a culinary arts program at an accredited community college or vocation technical school

OR

• High School diploma or equivalent

AND

• Two years of experience as a cook in a large-scale food operation, where at least 300 complete meals are prepared per day, e.g., institutions, restaurants, schools, and hospitals AND
• Two years of experience in a supervisory capacity NOTE: Equivalent education/experience.

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

• Successful completion of classes relating to food safety and food service sanitation
• Ability to problem solve on short notice

Supplemental Information

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. **Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from and . Until this documentation is provided,