What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cook position at County of Contra Costa?
Bargaining Unit: Local 856 - General Services & Maintenance Unit
Contra Costa County is home to more than one million residents and was one of the original 27 counties established in California in 1850. Contra Costa County is dedicated to providing public services that improve the quality of life of our residents and the economic viability of our businesses. Contra Costa County is recognized as a world-class service organization where innovation and partnerships merge to enable our residents to enjoy a safe, healthy, and prosperous life.
Contra Costa County is accepting applications for the Cook classification. Cooks are employed throughout Contra Costa County within the Probation and Health Services Departments. The current vacancy is for a permanent-intermittent position within the Health Services Department; however, the resulting eligible list may be used to fill future vacancies within the County.
Positions in this class work at either Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center or at a county juvenile institution and are responsible for the preparation and service of meals and the maintenance of a clean and orderly kitchen. In a juvenile institution, direction over others is involved in the preparation and service of meals and kitchen maintenance.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced with preparing and cooking food in large quantities. You will be providing food to large groups.
- Passionate about food and cooking. You will be cooking recipes for people to eat and enjoy.
- Aware of maintaining a clean and sanitary environment. You will cook food in an environment that needs to be well-maintained.
- Committed to preparing quality meals. You will provide food that is edible and nutritious.
- Effective in communicating and working with others. You will work with internal staff and the public to meet their food needs.
What you will typically be responsible for:
- Preparing and cooking a variety of food
- Preparing special diets or food trays when necessary
- Receiving and inspecting food
- Providing guidance in preparing meals, cleaning the kitchen, and ensuring cooking equipment is clean
- Training kitchen staff on the proper performance of their duties
A few reasons you might love this job:
- You will get to enhance the useful, everyday skill of cooking
- You will get to discover new flavor horizons as we cook for diverse patients and staff
- You will be able to do what you love every day
- You will cook for the patient population
- You will have the opportunity for culinary input and collaboration with the management team
A few challenges you might face in this job:
- You may face difficult situations with some patrons
- You will need to be mindful of portion sizes and ensure the recipes make the appropriate amount of food
- You will work in a fast-paced environment
- You will work in an area with ovens and steamers that produce heat
Experience: One year of full time experience, or its equivalent, as a cook in an institutional setting (such as hospital, detention facility, armed forces, cafeteria, commercial high volume food service corporation, hotel, restaurant or similar facility) preparing meals for large groups of fifty or more.
Substitution: Possession of a certificate in food production from an accredited college or vocational institution, which included courses in quantity food preparation, equipment, sanitation and safety, may be substituted for six months of the required experience.
Desirable Qualifications:
- ServSafe Certification
1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
2. Online Written Examination: Candidates who clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualifications will be assessed through the online written examination. The exam will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Cook classification. These may include, but are not limited to: displaying ownership and accountability; professional integrity and ethics; actions and results focus; safety focus; self-management; decision making; handling stress (weighted 100%).
3. Departmental Interviews: The final interviews will be scheduled once the eligible list has been established.
The Online Written Examination is tentatively scheduled 8/24/2026 to 8/31/2026.
The assessment will be administered remotely using a computer. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment. It is not recommended to take the assessment using a cell phone.
Note: For positions within the Probation Department, candidates will be required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation. Furthermore, candidates shall not have been convicted of a felony as an adult or juvenile in this or any other state or in a federal jurisdiction, or of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction which would have been a felony if committed in this state.
The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.
Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at: Special Testing Accommodations | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website.
Salary : $56,397 - $68,551