County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, in the kitchen of a County institution, to do the less difficult quantity cooking; to prepare, cook and serve simple meals, including those required for special diets; to care for cooking equipment and do routine work in food preparation and service, including kitchen cleaning; and to do related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Incumbents of positions in this class work under the supervision of a First Cook. They generally work under one or both of the following conditions, which distinguish them from Cooks. The first entails doing work similar to that of a cook, assisting the First Cook in preparing and cooking a variety of food in large quantities, but restricted to the less difficult assignments. The Assistant Cook uses all the cooking equipment necessary to the tasks assigned but requires more instruction, guidance, and supervision than does a Cook. The second distinguishing feature entails the responsibility for cooking and serving of simple meals, including diet meals. Such meals consist of foods of which the preparation does not require the full skill of a Cook.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Prepares meats and vegetables for cooking, using electric meat grinders, mixers, vegetable peelers and slicers, as well as hand tools; prepares and mixes pancake batters.
2. Cooks meats, vegetables, soups, cereals and other foods using steam jacketed kettles, ovens, fry kettles and other equipment as required.
3. Participates in washing, cutting, chopping, and otherwise preparing vegetables, fruit and nuts.
4. Relieves or assists Cooks as assigned.
5. Serves food in cafeteria line.
6. Prepares food items to be used in cooking breakfast; starts cooking breakfast if working nights; assists in preparation of salt free and other special diets.
7. Cleans kitchen areas and equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of recent experience in the class of Food Service Worker or equal or higher level classification in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of one year of experience in cooking in the kitchen of a restaurant, hotel, or institution.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

· Methods, equipment and terminology used in food preparation, cooking and service.
· Sanitation and safety in the kitchen.

Abilities:

· Following detailed written and oral instructions.
· Learning how to use modern equipment used in large quantity cooking such as steam jacketed kettles and revolving ovens.
· Performing simple cooking, maintaining and nutritive value and palatability of food.
· Working effective with a wide variety of people.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JD:laa
Revised: 6/71
Retyped: 2/77
Retyped: 3/85
RSS:pb
Updated: 11/86
Old document: 0705h
New document: Jobspecs/7520
ys/9/01

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.