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Posted: February 3, 2026 (1 day ago)

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AC Cook | On-Call

State of Washington

Dept. of Corrections

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$29.96 - $40.30

per hour

Closes

February 24, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This on-call cook position at a women's prison in Washington involves preparing and serving meals while supervising and training incarcerated individuals in kitchen tasks to help them gain job skills for life after release.

It's a hands-on role in a secure facility, focusing on safe food handling, portion control, and equipment use.

A good fit would be someone with cooking experience who is patient, safety-conscious, and committed to public service and rehabilitation.

Key Requirements

  • Experience in food preparation, cooking, and serving in a professional kitchen setting
  • Ability to supervise, train, and provide feedback to incarcerated individuals in vocational skills
  • Knowledge of food safety practices, including temperature checks, portion control, and hazard prevention
  • Skills in handling kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grills, and steam kettles safely
  • Comfort working in a prison environment with daily facility access and adherence to security protocols
  • Basic math skills for calculating food quantities and managing inventory
  • Commitment to equitable, inclusive practices and public safety goals

Full Job Description

AC Cook | WCCW

AC Cook | WCCW

Multiple On-Call Positions Available

Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women | Gig Harbor, WA

Salary Range: $29.96 - $40.30 Hourly


This position is represented by the Teamsters 117 bargaining unit.


The candidate of choice must be able to work in a Prison environment as you will be required to work in the facility daily.


The Washington State Department of Corrections Washington Corrections Center for Women is seeking dedicated cooks to join their team as an AC Cook!

The goal of this position is to improve public safety by providing oversight for the vocational training, direction, and supervision of an incarcerated individual work crew.


The candidate of choice will provide incarcerated individuals needed vocational and job skills training to become better prepared and equipped to find meaningful and productive employment upon their transition back into the community.

Under the supervision of an AC Cook, incarcerated individuals attain job skills and training in the preparation, cooking, serving, and storage of food, receiving and unloading trucks, and receive instruction in the appropriate use of equipment.


This supports the vision of working together for safer communities by providing individuals with tools, resources and opportunities that will farther their knowledge, skills and abilities.


A completed application packet will include:

  • A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
  • A detailed resume
  • Three professional references

Requirements

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.


As an AC Cook, some of your duties will include:

  • Participating in the preparation and service of all food on a shift which could include:
    • Performing mathematical calculations, to figure out the right amount of food to serve
    • Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control so you don’t run out of food. Each item has a portion size
    • Checking food temperatures during and after preparation and make sure the food is held to temperature on the serving line
    • Following basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents such as slipping on wet floors or where food has been spilled, possible cuts from knives, and being burned from steam, hot foods, stove, hot grease, and water
    • Maintaining and tracking all tools controls from four cages within the kitchen
  • Supervise and instruct offenders in general cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation and service which could look like:
    • Supervising, training and instructing offenders in general food services practices including receipt of goods, storage of goods, preparation, cooking, and serving of food
    • Supervising and training offenders in preparing special diets (medical or religious) and preparing and setting up satellite trays or carts and serving lines
    • Serving meals including segregation trays, service of mainline, preparation and distribution of sack lunches, and lock down meals
    • Supervising, coaching, instructing training and providing constructive feedback to offenders in the safe handling, operation, care, use, and cleaning of kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grills, steam kettles
    • In accordance with policy, training offenders in the preparation and serving of food, hygiene, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), use and care of equipment, and safety hazards (HAZMAT)
  • Performing inventory and reporting tasks
  • Supervising and monitoring incarcerated individuals
  • Ensuring areas remain locked at all times

Qualifications

What we need (required qualifications):

  • High School diploma or equivalent

AND

  • Successful completion of a culinary arts program at an accredited community college or vocation technical school

OR

  • High School diploma or equivalent

AND

  • Two years of experience as a cook in a large-scale food operation, where at least 300 complete meals are prepared per day, e.g., institutions, restaurants, schools, and hospitals.

In addition to the above education and experience, the required knowledge, skills and/or abilities are required:

  • Two years of experience in a supervisory capacity

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

  • Successful completion of classes relating to food safety and food service sanitation
  • Ability to problem solve on short notice

Additional Information

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

Our Core Values:

  1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
  2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety.

    We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.

  3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
  4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
  5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.


DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.


IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
  • Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application.

    A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.

    If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

  • A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  • Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
  • We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws.

    A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.

  • Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
  • Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.

    When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

    Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application.

    You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

    DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9.

    The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form.

    https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

  • DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.


Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework.

If authorized for the role, work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time.

Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite.

Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process.

Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.


What We Offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority.

Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.

Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

  • Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
  • Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
  • 12 paid holidays a year
  • Generous retirement plan
  • Flex Spending Accounts
  • Dependent Care Assistance
  • Deferred Compensation and so much more!


PERS: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.


For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 2/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/4/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5223209