Cook III

Arizona Department of Administration • Prescott, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cook III performs a variety of cooking and general food preparation activities, prepares special-diet food, helps keep kitchen and cafeteria areas clean, and may serve in a lead capacity. Work products include food prepared according to menus and standardized recipes; utensils, equipment, and food-service areas cleaned according to established procedures; preparation work completed for the following day; and food ready for delivery to serving areas.

The position is located at the Arizona Pioneers' Home, 300 South McCormick Street, Prescott, Arizona 86303. The hourly pay rate is $18.02. Rotating shift work may be required. The position requires a current, valid food handler's permit at the time of interview.

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, methods, and techniques; and work-unit policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of food textures and consistencies as related to residents' ability to consume them without difficulty.
• Knowledge of cooking techniques used to preserve the natural nutrients and palatability of food.
• 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 nutritional, palatable food with minimal 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 and/or supplies weighing 20 to 50 pounds; the work also involves considerable standing, bending, and walking.

Responsibilities

• Prepare special-diet food and ensure textures and consistencies are appropriate for residents' or clients' ability to consume it.
• Review next-day menus, resident counts, special activities, and special-diet orders to determine required preparation work.
• Pan up food and/or prepare pre-plated meals for delivery to serving areas, covering food to prevent spills and contamination.
• Receive food and supplies, check quantities and specifications against purchase orders, and store items in appropriate areas.
• Maintain a list of residents requiring special diets and update diet cards based on changes provided 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 the correct temperatures.
• Help establish and maintain a safe and sanitary work environment.
• Clean equipment and kitchen areas according to standard cleaning methods.
• Cover, label, and date leftover food and store it in the refrigerator.
• Hand wash, scrub, and dry dishes, pots, and pans.
• Replace 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