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Posted: March 6, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Assistant Cook II

Stanislaus County

Sheriff's Department

Fresh

Location

Salary

$41,080 - $49,940.80

per year

Closes

March 20, 2026

Job Description

Summary

The Assistant Cook II role at the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department involves leading food preparation and service for staff and inmates in a secure jail setting, while training junior cooks and handling records for meals and diets.

It requires working in a fast-paced kitchen with irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

A good fit would be someone with cooking experience who stays calm under pressure, follows instructions well, and is comfortable in a correctional environment.

Key Requirements

  • Experience in food preparation and service, preferably in an institutional setting
  • Ability to read and understand English instructions for recipes, diets, and production sheets
  • Physical capability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and operate kitchen equipment
  • Skills in maintaining records, writing simple reports, and following oral/written instructions
  • Professional demeanor for working with inmates in a secure facility
  • Availability for overtime, shift work, weekends, holidays, standby, and callbacks
  • Ability to train and supervise junior staff like Assistant Cook I

Full Job Description

THE POSITION
The Assistant Cook II functions in a lead capacity and performs a variety of tasks within the food service operation of the Sheriff's Department. This individual assists in the preparation and service of food to staff and inmates and provides training to the Assistant Cook I. The Level II also maintains records and reviews and interprets documentation. This position is also subject to overtime, standby, callback, shift, weekend, and holiday assignments. Performs related duties as assigned.

To learn more about the Sheriff's Department,
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Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Crafts/Maintenance Institutional Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classified position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months for a total of eighteen months. The probationary period does not apply to unclassified positions.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday, and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Requirements

Confer with Food Service Supervisor regarding duties, standards, procedures, and other matters relating to food service;Check menus for all meals according to diet sheet; update cardex, explain special diets to cooks;Prepare daily tallies of food orders and record on production sheet;Check trays that have been filled on tray line for attractiveness and accurate compliance with instructions on diet sheets;Load trays on carts to be taken to destination;Assist in staff scheduling and instruction regarding proper methods of performing duties; proper operation of kitchen equipment; arrangement and appointment of food on trays, and sanitation and safety standards;Designated in charge of all Food Service Operations in the absence of the Food Service Director, Food Service Supervisor or Dietitian;Provide Food Service Supervisor with input for Assistant Cook I evaluations;Assist cook/chill kettle, in bakery, in prep room, and with catering events; andFill in for Assistant Cook I where necessary.

Qualifications SKILLS/ABILITIESFollow oral and written instructions;

  • Read English in a manner sufficient to understand instructions regarding therapeutic diets, production work sheets and recipes;
  • Work for long periods of time while standing under fluctuating temperature conditions;
  • Lift, carry and/or push supplies and equipment weighing a maximum of 50 pounds;
  • Maintain a composed and professional attitude while working with inmates and others in a secure and orderly fashion;
  • Write simple reports relating to inmate diet needs and maintain production records;
  • Physically operate a variety of kitchen equipment;
  • Deliver inventory to outlying facilities; and
  • Lift, bend, stoop, stand, and reach overhead, push, pull, squat, twist, and turn.
  • KNOWLEDGE
    • Nutrition and dietetics necessary for basic menu planning and special needs diets;
    • Basic math skills sufficient to maintain a simple inventory and make calculations for amount of food to prepare;
    • Maintain inventory records and properly measure food amounts and compute caloric content;
    • Methods, procedures, materials and equipment involved in the large scale preparation and storage of food;
    • Principles and practices of sanitation, personal hygiene, and safety as applied to food preparation and service;
    • Use and care of kitchen utensils and equipment; and
    • Operation of kitchen equipment such as dishwasher, ovens, compactor, coffee machines, blenders, meat slicer, and mixers.
    We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

    EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

    ASSISTANT COOK ll
    • One (1) year of experience working in a large food/dietary service department in an institutional facility; AND
    • No felony convictions.
    • Must be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment in a Federal penitentiary or State prison.

    Additional Information

    APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
    Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

    Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

    Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

    EXAMINATION PROCESS
    Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

    • Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
    • Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
    • Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
    • Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
    TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
    Application Deadline: March 19, 2026 at 5pm
    Written Examination: The week of March 23, 2026
    Oral Examination: TBA

    Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

    GENERAL INFORMATION
    Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

    Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.
    Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at
    Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

    Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

    Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 3/6/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/7/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-stanislaus-5260136