County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to plan, organize, and supervise the preparation, cooking, and serving of food to either residents or patients, and employees of a large County institution; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this class have responsibility for the management and operation of a food preparation unit serving approximately 600 persons per meal. The positions includes the training, evaluating and the assigning of work of all food production employees; supervising the maintenance of culinary equipment and supplies; maintaining records; and preparing menus. In a hospital setting will direct and supervise the food preparation for modified diets.

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. Selects, assigns work, supervises and gives instructions and training to employees, evaluates their performance and recommends appropriate action.

2. Confers with the Food Service Department Head as necessary regarding operations, personnel, equipment, diet and other problems.

3. Supervises the maintenance of culinary utensils and equipment and the cleaning of various storage and work areas.

4. Makes inspections and maintains food handling practices and standards of safety and sanitation, and supervises garbage disposal.

5. May order, receive, inspect, store and inventory supplies. Prepares daily food requisitions and forecast sheets.

6. May produce menus and recipes according to prescribed nutritional standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience as a First Cook in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of experience as a Cook in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts), and the equivalent of one year of experience in a supervisory capacity over cooks and allied workers.

Or III

The equivalent of four years of full-time cooking experience, two of which must have been as a supervisor over cooks and allied workers, with responsibility for the preparation, cooking and serving of meals for at least 300 persons a meal.

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:

• Modern principles of meal planning and of the methods and equipment used in the storage, care, handling, preparation, cooking, baking, dispensing, and serving of food in large quantities.
• Kitchen sanitation and safety, and the cleaning and care of utensils and equipment.
• Food values in general and acceptable equivalents or substitutes within food groups.
• Principles of effective supervision.

Abilities:

• Planning, organizing, directing and effectively training and supervising the work of others.
• Preparing and cooking all groups of food skillfully.
• Organizing food preparation and serving operations to meet fixed schedules while providing a high standard of finished product.
• Determining food quantities for varying size groups.
• Maintaining accurate records and preparing reports as required.
• Following detailed written and verbal instructions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

IB:lfm
Revised: 8/26/81
TAT:lm-h
Revised: 5/9/83
Retyped: 3/85
Old document: 1375H/0710h
New document: Jobspecs/7650
ys/9/01
CSC Date: 3/14/84

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)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• 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
• Management Paid Leave**
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.