Cook III

Arizona Department of Administration • Prescott, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cook III performs cooking and general food-preparation activities at the Arizona Pioneers' Home, including preparing special-diet foods and assisting with cleaning kitchen or cafeteria areas. The role may serve in a lead capacity. Work products include food prepared according to menus and standardized recipes, clean utensils, equipment and food-service areas, completed preparation for the following day, and food ready for delivery to serving areas.

The position is located at 300 South McCormick Street, Prescott, Arizona 86303. The hourly pay rate is $18.02, Grade 12. The posting closes Friday, November 13, 2026. Rotating shift work may be required.

Requirements

• Possess a current, valid food handler's permit at the time of interview.
• Knowledge of applicable sanitation and safety codes, rules and regulations; cleaning materials and methods; and work-unit policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of food textures and consistencies in relation to residents' ability to consume food without difficulty.
• Knowledge of cooking techniques that preserve food's natural nutrients and palatability.
• Knowledge of proper temperature ranges for thawing, cooking and storing food.
• Knowledge of institutional food-service methods, materials and practices.
• Knowledge of precautions needed to guard against health hazards and of health hazards in food-service activities.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic computation methods.
• Skill in slicing, dicing and shredding products to support presentation and freshness.
• Skill in preparing nutritious, palatable food while minimizing waste.
• Skill in using and operating cooking equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain work relationships.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to present food attractively.
• Frequently lift and carry food or supplies weighing 20 to 50 pounds; perform considerable standing, bending and walking.

Responsibilities

• Prepare special-diet foods and ensure textures and consistencies suit residents' or clients' ability to consume them safely and comfortably.
• Review next-day menus, resident counts, special activities and special-diet orders to determine required preparation work.
• Pan food or prepare pre-plated meals for delivery to serving areas, covering meals to prevent spills and contamination.
• Receive food and supplies, check quantities and specifications against purchase orders, and store items appropriately.
• Maintain a list of residents requiring special diets and update diet cards with changes supplied by medical staff.
• Cook a variety of foods according to standardized recipes and preparation methods.
• Operate standard cooking equipment, including mixing machines, meat slicers, peelers and food choppers.
• Participate in in-service training and staff-development programs for regularly employed staff.
• Ensure hot and cold foods are maintained at appropriate temperatures.
• Help establish and maintain a safe and sanitary work environment.
• Clean equipment and kitchen areas using standard cleaning methods.
• Cover, label and date leftover food and store it in a refrigerator.
• Hand-wash, scrub and dry dishes, pots and pans.
• Place food in carts or trucks for transportation to serving areas.
• Modify recipes to produce the quantities needed by an institution.

Benefits

• Optional short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans and supplemental life insurance.
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation and 10 paid holidays per year.
• Health and dental insurance.
• Retirement plan through the Arizona State Retirement System; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• Sick leave.
• Paid Parental Leave program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed