COOK (EXTRA-HELP)

TEMPORARY, EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYEES ARE NOT IN THE CLASSIFIED CIVIL SERVICE AND DO NOT HAVE PROPERTY RIGHTS TO PERMANENTLY ALLOCATED POSITIONS. IN ADDITION, THEY DO NOT RECEIVE MOST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUCH AS: LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE; ACCRUAL OF VACATION AND SICK LEAVE; PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTY RETIREMENT PROGRAM; OR ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS. TEMPORARY, EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYEES ARE LIMITED IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT TO A MAXIMUM OF ONE CALENDAR YEAR. THESE EMPLOYEES MUST BE OFF THREE MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN BE RE-EMPLOYED ON AN EXTRA-HELP BASIS. EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (GENERALLY WORKED 13 CONSECUTIVE PAY PERIODS WITH A MINIMUM OF 440 HOURS AND ARE SCHEDULED AT LEAST 40 HOURS PER PAY PERIOD) QUALIFY FOR A 50% COUNTY CONTRIBUTION TOWARD EMPLOYEE-ONLY KAISER HEALTH PLAN. DEPENDENT COVERAGE IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT EMPLOYEE'S COST.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill on-call, relief vacancies as they occur in the Juvenile Hall Division of the Sonoma County Probation Department. This list will be used to fill vacation periods and other absences as well as any other extra-help openings which may occur during the active status of this list. Work assignments may be weekdays, holidays and weekends, usually an eight or ten- hour day shift.

Two years recent experience preparing and cooking a variety of foods in a large-scale institutional or commercial setting is required. Please specifically indicate your institutional or commerical food preparation experience and duties in the employment history section of your application.

Under general supervision, prepares, cooks and supervises the preparation of food in large quantities in a detention or residential facility, including entrees such as meats, as well as the more difficult sauces and soups; performs related duties as required. Positions allocated to this class perform journey level cooking and are responsible for the overall preparation, cooking and service of one or more of the main meals each day, especially the entree, meats, poultry, sauces, soup bases and gravies. Incumbents supervise, direct and participate in: clean up activities and maintaining clean and sanitary work areas, ordering, receiving and storing food and supplies; and assuring that the menu is prepared in a timely manner.

Education: The ability to speak, read and write English and make simple arithmetical calculations that commensurates with the knowledge and abilities listed. Successful completion of special courses in institutional food preparation is highly desirable.

Experience: Any combination of experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of recent experience in the preparation and cooking of a variety of foods in a large-scale institutional or commercial setting, such as a medium sized hospital or detention facility, would provide such opportunity.

Working knowledge of: the methods, procedures and equipment involved in the large scale preparation of foods; the health and safety hazards in institutional food preparation; the necessary safety precautions.

Some knowledge of: the basic principles and practices of dietetics and nutrition.

Ability to: follow detailed oral and written instructions; prepare and cook food in large quantities; prepare modified diet items; supervise the work of assigned staff and inmates; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, inmates or wards, supervisors and staff of other departments; work early morning shifts, evenings, holidays and weekends; work for long periods of time while standing and under conditions of high temperatures; lift, push and pull heavy equipment and supplies; make simple arithmetical calculations; operate kitchen equipment.

This selection procedure will consist of an application appraisal (weight 100%). Each application will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational course work, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on a temporary employment list and referred to the Sonoma County Probation Department for consideration.

Candidates referred for possible appointment may be required to sign a waiver enabling a private investigator to check into the applicant's employment and/or personal history. The background check may include criminal and civil filings, address verification, social security verification, driving history, any professional license mentioned, secondary education, employment history, and reference development, credit history, and financial information related to bankruptcy, liens, and judgements. Failure to sign the waiver may result in the application not being considered further. Background information obtained will not be made available to candidates.

Applications are accepted on-line through the County of Sonoma website (www.sonoma-county.org) or the website of www.governmentjobs.com. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), or through the mail. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

HR Analyst: B. Adams

HR Assistant: K. Britton