Dining Services III - Cook - Lookout Mountain Youth Service Center

State of Colorado•Golden, CO

17h•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs fully operational food production work in the Division of Youth Services (DYS) Food Services Department at Lookout Mountain Youth Service Center. The employee must work at the assigned location during scheduled work times. Shifts are scheduled between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; work arrangements may change. The position supports dining services for youth in DYS care and follows DYS policies and procedures, facility requirements, and applicable food-service regulations. The cook prepares, serves, and garnishes meals according to DYS menus and recipes, including requirements for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The role also involves food and supply receiving, storage, inventory, sanitation, equipment and kitchen cleaning, and maintaining food safety and facility security. The employee attends meetings and training, may work flexible shifts including weekends, holidays, and overtime, and may travel or float to other DYS facilities for coverage, meetings, or training. Applicants must be Colorado residents when applying and remain Colorado residents throughout employment. The position requires applicants to be at least 21 years old and to complete background and reference checks. Continued employment depends on successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training. This is an essential position, and the employee may be required to report during inclement weather. Kitchen work involves exposure to cleaning agents and other hazardous materials.

Requirements

Two years of experience in a food service or food service customer-service environment; work experience must be documented in the application.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application and remain a resident throughout employment.
Must complete a full background check and reference check.
Must successfully complete the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training for continued employment.
Must be able to work assigned shifts, which may include breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and may include weekends, holidays, and overtime.
Must be able to report to work during inclement weather when required for this essential position.
Work may involve using, handling, or exposure to kitchen cleaning agents and other hazardous materials.
Must be able to travel or float to other DYS facilities for coverage, meetings, or training as needed.

Nice To Haves

Food Service Certification from an accredited organization may substitute for the experience requirement.
Related experience as a current or former State of Colorado employee.
Prior food-service experience, including thorough knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
Active ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent professional food-safety certification.
High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

Responsibilities

Prepare food to ensure it is attractive, appetizing, and served at the correct temperatures.
Follow DYS menus and recipes to comply with the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and DYS policies and procedures.
Enter data accurately on production worksheets; document recipe changes and submit them to the facility food service manager.
Set up, tear down, and garnish the serving line as needed, and serve food in proper quantities according to DYS recipes.
Identify potential safety and security issues and promptly report them to managerial or supervisory staff.
Recognize safety hazards, operate food service equipment properly, and follow safety practices to prevent injuries.
Inventory knives and culinary utensils according to facility procedures; follow key-control procedures and ensure doors remain locked.
Store and handle chemicals safely and comply with DYS and facility safety and security procedures.
Maintain food-handling and kitchen-cleaning sanitation procedures; clean equipment and kitchen facilities regularly or as assigned.
Monitor and control food times and temperatures to prevent foodborne illness, and comply with Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations.
Inspect incoming food and supplies for correct quantity and quality; reject substandard or incorrect products.
Store raw food and supplies using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method and date food products upon delivery.
Sign requisitions and submit them to managerial or supervisory staff; assist with monthly physical inventory counts.
Requisition food and supplies when managerial or supervisory staff are absent.
Attend DYS and facility meetings and participate in training sessions to stay current on procedures and maintain compliance.
Perform other duties assigned by supervisory staff, including working flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime to maintain dining coverage.
Travel or float to other DYS facilities as needed for coverage, meetings, and training.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Work-life programs, including flexible schedules and training
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program