Food Service Specialist

This position is located at Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

Basic Purpose

Positions in this job family are involved in handling, preparing, cooking and serving food for regular, modified and special diets at a state hospital, school, facility or institution. This includes maintaining clean and sanitary work, preparation and serving areas.

Typical Functions

• Prepares foods, salads, and desserts; cooks or bakes a variety of items.
• Supplies unit with meat, fish or fowl as ordered; cuts and prepares meat, poultry or fish.
• Cleans and prepares foods using tools such as knives, slicers and peelers and equipment such as ovens and steamers; follows written diet orders.
• Operates dishwasher; gathers, cleans, stacks and hand washes or scours pots, pans, dishes, silverware and other cooking and baking utensils.
• Removes refuse from kitchen area; sweeps mops and scrubs kitchen, dining and storage areas.
• Labels, loads and delivers food carts or trays; picks up trays after use.
• Defrosts and cleans refrigerators, walk-in coolers and related equipment.
• Operates state-owned cars, vans, and/or other motorized transportation.

Level Descriptor

This career level includes positions where employees are assigned responsibility for a variety of tasks involved in preparing and serving meals in a state hospital, school, facility or institution. This includes using items for cooking and baking, cutting and preparing meat, poultry or fish, frying, or roasting foods. Positions are also responsible for the direction of others performing simple and routine duties involving the handling and serving of food and maintaining a clean and sanitary work area. In this role they will make recommendations for future food needs, receive and store food, and assist with serving food.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of one year of experience in a commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; of basic mathematics; of ingredients used in baking and cooking; of food storage, preparation and cooking; of recipe usage; of standard weights and measures used in cooking and calculating and measuring ingredients; of operation of kitchen equipment and utensils; of practices and problems of meat storage and preparation; of modern methods and materials used in large scale baking, cooking, and meat cutting; of cutting, mixing and adding ingredients to all types of meat; and of sanitary and health standards. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to prepare and cook foods, baked goods and meat; to follow written and oral instructions; to direct the work of food service personnel; and to use a variety of tools and knives to cut or slice meat and other foods.

Why You’ll Love It Here! 

HOPE. COMPASSION. COMMITMENT. As a Hope-centered agency the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) strives to provide Oklahoma youth and families with the resources and support they need to reach their full potential. Our mission is to collaborate with youth, families, and community partners to create pathways for success through prevention and treatment for all Oklahoma Youth. Check out why we are passionate about juvenile affairs and believe it is the career for you! 

Extensive Benefits : We know that benefits matter and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees.

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums. 

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions.   

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Options for healthcare and dependent care expenses.   

• Retirement Savings Plan: With a generous company match to help secure your future.   

• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees. 

• 11 paid holidays a year. 

• Employee Assistance Program: Support when you need it.   

• Longevity Bonuses: For years of dedicated service.   

• Training Opportunities: Continuous learning and development for CEU requirements.   

Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Oklahoma driver's license for operating state-owned vehicles. 
Must be able to pass OSBI and FBI background check.
Some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.