Cook/Baker - Juvenile Facility

NOTE: This selection process will fill our current vacancy but also create a pool of qualified candidates should a Cook/Baker position open up within the next 12 months.

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is seeking a highly motivated individual to occupy the position of Cook/Baker for our Juvenile Division, located in Seattle. The individual chosen for this position will be responsible to plan, prepare, bake, cook, serve meals, and clean after meals for youth. Incumbents of this position must be able to lift, carry, and move supplies weighing up to 50 lbs., and stand for prolonged periods of time. Employees in this position will be assigned to a secure detention facility operational 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Please note that this location is within the secure perimeter of the detention facility. Staff will have indirect and direct contact with youth who are within the secure perimeter.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is a King County Executive branch department with five divisions and approximately 900 budgeted employees supporting two adult detention facilities housing approximately 1,500 adult residents, a 112-bed juvenile detention facility, alternatives to secure detention, various community supervision programs, and administrative services. The juvenile detention facility houses youth between the ages of 12-17 with an average daily population of 61 youth in 2025.

DAJD MISSION: We provide in-custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change, and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve.

DAJD VISION: We lead the Nation in providing exemplary services that transform lives.

DAJD PRIORITIES

• Ensure safety and security of staff and residents.
• Recruit, develop, support, and retain staff.
• Promote opportunities to humanize the people in our facilities and programs.
• Strengthen community connections.
• Manage operational risks.
• Effectively manage resources and drive continuous quality improvements.

To learn more about DAJD, please visit our website at: style="margin: 15px 0; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0"> COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, RACE & SOCIAL JUSTICE

As the only county in the United States named after one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nations history, Martin Luther King, Jr. County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change.

To learn more about the Countys ERSJ efforts please visit our website at: is performed in a controlled juvenile detention security facility/environment preparing meals for youth and staff (food service staff members do not work directly with youth). Staff in these positions receive extensive on-the-job training. The facility is operational 24-hours per day, 7-days per week.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Accurate, quality food preparation and serving of regular and restricted diets for youth, staff, and other meals (full meal service, up to 75 persons per meal).
• Preparation of baked goods.
• Follow and enforce safety and sanitation rules at all times.
• Write clear, legible incident reports regarding issues, problems, or emergency situations, as well as other reports and records that are accurate and complete utilizing various computer applications including MS Word and Excel.
• Accurately read and follow menus and recipes, including written and verbal instructions.
• Accurately portion and record serving and meal distribution utilizing various computer applications including MS Word and Excel.
• Operate all food service and other equipment including commercial ovens, grills, mixers, slicers, hot and cold buffet lines, tray line conveyor, and commercial dishwashers.
• Remove garbage, recyclables, and compostable refuse.
• Wash, clean, and store of all trays, pots/pans, and utensils.
• Maintain control and security of tools, utensils, knives, and other controlled items.
• Perform operator-level maintenance of food service equipment including disassembly, cleaning, sanitizing, and reassembling of food service equipment.
• Properly lift, carry, move, and handle equipment, boxes, and bags up to 50 pounds.
• Maintain training required for School Food Service employees as directed by OSPI.
• Receive stores using HACCP and FIFO guidelines.
• Other training as required.
• May be utilized to train new staff as part of new hire onboarding.
• Working in extreme conditions such as coolers, freezers for brief periods of time.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must be at least 21 years of age and possess a minimum of one year work experience in food preparation.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with coworkers and supervisors, and read and follow recipes, department policies, and training materials.
• Strong customer service and teamwork skills are required.
• Experience using computers is required.
• Requires physical ability to lift, carry, move, and handle equipment, boxes, and bags weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must have a valid WA state driver's license or ability to obtain one by the time of hire.

Most competitive candidates:

• Prior experience in a large-scale commercial or institutional setting with full meal service (i.e., corrections, military, hospitals, or nursing homes)
• Experience with MS Word and Excel.

Necessary Special Requirements: Must have a WA State Food Handler's permit or be able to obtain one before hire. Additional information regarding Food Handler's permits (where to obtain one and information regarding study materials) can be found at: valid Washington State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel around the county by time of hire.

Applicants should be aware that King County is dedicated to expanding community-based alternatives to youth detention and has a goal to ultimately close the youth detention center when those alternatives are in place. DAJD and the County are committed to supporting Juvenile Division staff during this process and helping them with their future career paths. Learn more about the process This career service position is open concurrently to all King County employees and the general public who meet the qualifications listed below. Internal consideration may be given to current DAJD and King County employees. Applicants requesting Veteran's Preference must provide a copy of their DD-214, a scanned copy (pdf format) will suffice for this purpose.

HOW TO APPLY: Completion of the entire King County application and supplemental questionnaire is required. Resumes or letters of interest alone will not substitute for full application. Online applications are required. To apply, go to SELECTION PROCESS: Your application must provide clear and detailed information on your relevant education, training, work experience, and history. Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. Applications that state "see resume" are considered incomplete and will not move forward in the selection process. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications may be further screened using additional screeners, skills assessment tests, and/or interviews.

WORK LOCATION: This position is assigned to the DAJD Juvenile Division, Judge Patricia Clark Children's Family Justice Center, located at 1211 E. Alder, Seattle, WA, 98122. Employees in this position will be assigned to a secure detention facility operational 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Please note that this location is within the secure perimeter of the detention facility. Staff will have indirect and direct contact with youth who are within the secure perimeter.

WORK SCHEDULE: This is a 40-hour per week, overtime-eligible position. Shifts for the Cook/Baker position are either: 0530 -1330 hours (5:30 am to 1:30 pm), or 1100 -1900 hours (11:00 to 7:00 pm). Staff must be available to work all shifts/schedules including evenings, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime.

Assignments and schedules are subject to the staffing needs of the department and subject to the collective bargaining unit bid processes. Specific hours/days cannot be guaranteed. Candidates must be available to work mandatory overtime, and/or work adjusted schedules on occasion, which may include evenings and weekends.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by King County Juvenile Detention Guild - DAJD - Juvenile Detention.

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Questions regarding this announcement or position may be directed to Jennifer Eugene, DAJD Human Resources Analyst at ... or ... .

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Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

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No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.