Cook

Position Summary:

• Person in this position will be responsible for the food preparation, storage, and supply for the residential programs. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversight and supervision of operations including food preparation, cleanliness and adherence to health codes and regulatory guidelines.
• Responsible for menu planning and food ordering.
• Ensure all meals are prepared in accordance with approved menus, meeting mealtime schedules and record client/staff meals census.
• Maintain high health standards, cleanliness, sanitation, always including the wearing of hairnets and/or caps within food preparation and serving areas.
• Familiarization with California State Health Codes relating to the operation of a commercial kitchen and will always comply.
• Prepare requisitions for food and commodities as needed and receive and properly store all deliveries.
• Ensure that equipment is in good operating condition and that temperatures are within proper standards, be constantly aware of fire and safety hazards and report repair/maintenance needs to supervisor.
• Label, date, and store all left over food in accordance with sanitary food handling requirements.
• Always maintain professional standards with food preparation and handling, as well as maintaining a high level of good housekeeping.
• Taste test food prior to serving and reserve samples of each meal for 24 hours to determine possible food contamination.
• Follow procedures for dispensing and retrieving all utensils during and after meal periods.
• Maintain current inventory on all commodities and stored goods.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

Experience and Competencies:

• Two (2) years’ experiences in quality food preparation for large groups and/or institutional cooking and food service.
• Must have the ability to pass a criminal history background screening.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain CDCR clearance.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.
• Ability to pass a criminal background investigation; and
• CPR Certification; First Aid Certification; and an annual Tuberculosis test.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a kitchen setting.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations using approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.