Job Description

Posting number: 2026JE27641

Department: DAJD-Adult/Juvenile Detention

Division: Juvenile

Job classification: Juvenile Facility Cook/Baker (Q3 : KCJDG-DAJD-Juvenile Detention)

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Community Services, Corrections, Food Services, Health Services, Miscellaneous

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is seeking a motivated individual to fill one full-time Cook/Baker position at the Juvenile Facility. The selected candidate will be responsible to plan, prepare, bake, cook, serve meals, and clean after meals for youth. Cook/Bakers ensure that the food provided meets nutritional standards and health codes while maintaining the safety standards of their working environment. Incumbents of this position must be able to lift, carry and move supplies weighing up to 50 pounds 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: DAJD is a professional and nationally recognized organization that supports safe, vibrant, and healthy communities in partnership with other criminal justice and human service agencies. DAJD operates the largest county jail in the State of Washington. DAJD's mission is to 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.

The Juvenile Division is responsible for the care and custody of youth who are detained in the Juvenile Detention Facility and also operates King County's Alternatives to Secure Detention programs. The Juvenile Division is committed to a philosophy of balanced and restorative justice, moving from a system that criminalizes vulnerable youth to one that supports them in leading safe, productive lives. The Juvenile Division incorporates the principles of restorative justice by promoting communication skills, empathy, and other opportunities for personal growth.

King County DAJD is committed to upholding and promoting equal opportunity in employment. DAJD encourages people of all backgrounds, cultures, and religions to apply, including veterans, people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQI, and people with disabilities. DAJD values diversity and is committed to making appropriate accommodations as we believe that a diverse workforce is a strong workforce

This recruitment will create an eligibility list which may be used to fill future Career Service, Term Limited Temporary or Special Duty Assignment Cook/Baker I Juvenile Facility vacancies for the next 12 months.

Examples of duties

Work 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 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.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a valid WA state driver's license or ability to obtain one by the time of hire.
• 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.
• Ability to understand, speak, read and write the English language for purposes of following and giving verbal and written instructions, reading/following menus, recipes, policies and procedures, writing reports and maintaining inventory.
• Knowledge of food service techniques, including but not limited to menu preparation, supply ordering, inventories, quality control and preservation
• 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.

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.
• Knowledge of special dietary needs.
• Experience cooking medical, special, and religious diets.

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: https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/food/food-worker-and-industry/food-worker-card

The person selected for this position will be required to complete a thorough background investigation process including fingerprinting, criminal history check, reference checks, and pre-employment physical. Avalid Washington State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel around the county by time of hire.

DESIRED: This position may be eligible for additional bilingual premium pay above the base salary. Desired languages currently include Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian and Somali, but may be subject to change. To qualify for a bilingual pay premium applicants must demonstrate sufficient language proficiency.

Supplemental information

WHO MAY APPLY: 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 http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. For assistance with the online application process, please contact NEOGOV Customer Support toll free at: 1-877-204-4442 (Governmentjobs.com customer support).

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. 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 Senior Human Resources Analyst at 206-263-2397 or Jennifer.Eugene@kingcounty.gov

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

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 values, 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.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
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.