Food Service Officer

General Summary
As the guiding hand behind our industrial-size kitchen, orchestrating the preparation and delivery of over 3,700 meals daily, this role offers a unique opportunity to showcase your culinary and supervision expertise. Working seamlessly within a small, close-knit team is essential, as our team dynamics thrive on collaboration. The successful candidate must be comfortable and effective in a group setting, contributing ideas, sharing responsibilities, and communicating openly.

Why it Matters
Operating efficiently within a small team is crucial for the success of our projects. Historically, individuals who navigate the dynamics of a close working group contribute significantly to achieving our goals. The synergy generated within the team directly impacts creativity, problem-solving, and overall productivity.

SHIFT INFORMATION

• The kitchen is open 7 days/week.
• This position primarily works four 10-hour shifts per week, either Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday.
• Shifts include early morning (1:00 am - 11:00 am) or early evening (9:00 am - 7:00 pm) and are based on seniority.
• Flexibility is required for sick and vacation coverage.

BENEFITS

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• PERSI retirement (fixed monthly income in retirement)
• Matching deferred compensation plan; optional 401(k) and Roth IRA
• Eleven (11) paid holidays; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave
• Free basic life, accidental death, and short-term disability insurance
• Wellness program

Visit Employee Benefits to view details regarding our full benefits package.Food Service Operations

• Supervise and lead the inmate kitchen work crew, ensuring efficient and safe operations.
• Perform related work as required, contributing to the overall success of the culinary operations.
• Oversee bulk meal preparations for inmates and jail staff, maintaining high standards.
• Keep a detailed inventory of food stock and supplies, ensuring availability when needed.

Instruction and Training

• Assign tasks and provide clear explanations of work requirements, methods, and procedures to inmates assigned to work in the kitchen.
• Consistently train and instruct inmates in food service and sanitation practices.
• Make recommendations to the Food Service Supervisor regarding inmates' retention on kitchen work crews.

Quality Control

• Review and ensure the quality of work performed by inmates, maintaining a high standard.
• Ensure proper preparation and delivery of meals to jail housing units.
• Ensure sanitation methods meet the standards set by the City-County Health Department.

Conflict Resolution

• Resolve conflicts among inmate workers, fostering a positive work environment.
• Complete incident reports on inmate behavior issues, injuries, and other risk management concerns.
• Take necessary disciplinary actions when required.

Menu Optimization & Special Diets Management

• Adjust menus considering quantities, recipes, preparation times, serving instructions, nutritional requirements, appetite appeal, and efficient use of leftovers.
• Ensure special diets align with guidelines, are properly labeled, and delivered to jail housing units.

Flexibility and Security

• Work and maintain availability for all shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Strictly control tools, ensuring proper tethering of dangerous tools when necessary.

Nice to Haves

• Supervisory skills for inmate kitchen work crews, knowledge of large-scale food preparation, familiarity with health and sanitation regulations, and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Completion of standard high school/trade school course with instruction in institutional cookery or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must Haves

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Accredited high school diploma or state-recognized equivalency certificate (such as a GED) required.
• Strong communication, conflict resolution, and initiative are key.
• Must be able to physically climb, bend, stoop, lift up to 60 pounds, and continuously walk and stand for extended periods of time.

Other Requirements

• Must conform to all health and sanitation regulations and be food safety certified.
• Must appear before an oral board and complete a polygraph and background check prior to entrance on duty.
• This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.

Disclaimer
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.