Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.
Employee Type:
Regular
Department:
Detention Services
Salary:
$48,339.20 - $67,329.60 Annually / $4,028.27 - $5,610.80 Monthly / $23.24 - $32.37 Hourly
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Overtime Eligibile:
Yes
Job Posting Date Range:
05/27/2026 - Until Filled
*SIGN-ON BONUS!* Newly hired employees in this role may be eligible for a sign-on bonus of UP TO:
$10,000
This bonus will be paid in three installments:
- First payment: On your first paycheck
- Second payment: After 6 months of employment
- Final payment: After 12 months of employment
Job Summary:
Please note: This position entails working in a 24-hour/seven day-a-week operation; this includes working day/night shifts, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime, as required.
The position allocated to this class is responsible for the preparation of all food on a shift in the kitchen in either of the County's Correctional Facilities. Work involves cooking, and supervising inmates in food handling, preparation, sanitation and service.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Supervises inmate workers and participates in cooking, baking and other food preparation as a cook on shift.
- Participates and performs preliminary preparation necessary for next day's meals; ensures that food is of good quality and is served on time.
- Bakes pies, cakes, cookies, biscuits and prepares other desserts.
- Assists in preparing menu items and determining amount of food to meet menu requirements; and adjusts recipes for fluctuation in inmate population.
- Inspects food being prepared to ensure proper quantity, quality, and handling; instructs and trains employees and details kitchen help in sanitation, cooking, preparing, and handling food.
- Controls waste and theft of food by inmates.
- Operates mixers, ovens, steamers, grills, food processors, steam kettles, and other food equipment.
- Receives food and nonfood related orders, and responsible for proper rotation of product.
- Directly supervises inmate workers in cleaning trays and utensils, cookware, kitchen and food storage areas.
- Maintains facility security in the kitchen operations and accounts for inventory of all kitchen utensils and equipment.
- Supervises up to 20 inmate workers assigned to kitchen duties.
- Participates in inmate worker training; confers with supervisor regarding behavioral problems and progress of inmates under their supervision.
- Transports food and or supplies from one facility to another facility operating a County vehicle.
- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
- One (1) year of related experience.
- Must have the ability to obtain a current Washington State Food Handler’s Permit within two (2) weeks of hire.
- Possession of a valid Washington Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of food management and the preparation and serving of large-scale food service for 900 or more individual.
- Knowledge of personal hygiene, food handling, sanitation, and safety precautions.
- Knowledge of care and use of kitchen utensils and equipment.
- Knowledge of adjustment of ingredients in large-scale recipes to meet changing needs.
- Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
- Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with jail inmates, jail staff and other department personnel.
- Skilled in preparation and cooking of starches, vegetables, meats, poultry, baking.
- Skilled in keeping accurate records of food use and maintaining inventory control including proper rotation of supplies.
- Skilled in operation of all food equipment listed above.
- Ability to perform above examples of duties.
- Ability to supervise the jail kitchen and maintain sanitation, care of equipment, and safety of personnel.
- Ability to establish and maintain control of 8 to 20 inmate workers according to Jail policies and procedures.
- Ability to inspect food being prepared to insure proper quantity, quality and handling.
- Ability to instruct and train new employees and detailed kitchen help in sanitation, cooking, preparing and handling food.
- Ability to establish work methods and supervise and instruct others in cooking and kitchen work
- Ability to provide constructive atmosphere for inmate corrections.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS
All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:
- Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
- Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
- Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
- Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.
Testing Requirements:
Total Compensation:
$61,874 - $86,182 Annually
Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
