Cook

POSITION: Cook

DEPARTMENT: Jail

WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned

SALARY: $1,580.46 Biweekly

Incumbent serves as Cook for Tippecanoe County Jail, responsible for preparing and serving meals, cleaning kitchen and equipment, and supervising Jail Trustees.

DUTIES:

Plans and prepares monthly menus and recipes, planning special meals for detainees with unique dietary needs according to doctor's orders and discussing with dietitian as needed.

Prepares and serves meals by adding and subtracting measurements and food quantities in recipes to adjust amount of prepared food as needed and serving meals as scheduled. Ensuring preparation is in compliance with local codes.

Supervises inmate workers as they assist in preparation/serving of meals and ensuring innate worker's work cooperatively, and cleaning and sanitizing all kitchen work areas, ensuring compliance with local sanitary codes.

Monitors and maintains inventory, including phoning vendors, researching prices to find best bargains, and ordering appropriate quantities of food and supplies as needed. Receives, verifies deliveries, and ensures storage areas are maintained clean and orderly.

Ensures security measures are being taken by securing kitchen utensils and doors.

Monitors kitchen equipment for servicing or maintenance needs.

Uses radio to communicate with Jail Deputies in professional manner.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND KNOWLEDGE OF WORK:

High school diploma or HSE.

Working knowledge of principles of sanitary food preparation, and ability to apply such knowledge to preparing large quantities of food.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures, and ability to supervise proper operation of a variety of industrial kitchen equipment, including dishwasher, steamer, food processor, blender, can opener, scales, meat slicer, vertical cutter, oven, mixer and grill.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and to prepare detailed reports as required.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures, including OHSA guidelines.

Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, department information and records according to State requirements.

Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to count, compute, perform arithmetic operations, compare/observe data, and make data driven decisions.

Ability to ensure maintenance of clean, sanitized work areas and equipment, proper use of chemical cleaners.

Ability to competently serve the public and inmate population with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, jail trustees, vendors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to work with others in a team environment, work rapidly for long periods, and work on several tasks at the same time.

Ability to physically perform essential duties of the position, including sitting for long periods, sitting and walking at will, close vision, bending, reaching, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing under 25 pounds, hearing sounds/communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects.

Ability to regularly work extended and weekend hours.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to well-established policies and procedures, with priorities determined by supervisor. Incumbent applies knowledge learned on the job and exercises some independent judgment in determining appropriate quantities of food to prepare. Care and skill are required to prevent damage to kitchen equipment and injury to self and others.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, jail trustees, vendors, and the public for the purpose of exchanging information, rendering services and supervising/directing trustees assigned to kitchen.

Incumbent reports directly to Jail Commander.

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Incumbent oversees food preparation and kitchen cleaning activities involving sitting/standing/walking for long periods, sitting and walking at will, close vision, bending, reaching, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing under 25 pounds, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Incumbent performs duties in a jail facility kitchen involving periodic exposure to normal hazards of food preparation, such as cuts and burns, and normal hazards of a jail environment where safety and health may be jeopardized. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others. Incumbent regularly works extended and weekend hours.