Lead Cook

Job Description:

Lead Cook

Description

The Position

Contra Costa County is home to more than one million residents and was one of the original 27 counties established in California in 1850. Contra Costa County is dedicated to providing public services which improve the quality of life of our residents and the economic viability of our businesses. Contra Costa County is recognized as a world-class service organization where innovation and partnerships merge to enable our residents to enjoy a safe, healthy, and prosperous life.

We are accepting applications for the Lead Cook classification. Lead Cooks are employed throughout Contra Costa County with the Office of the Sheriff, Probation Department, and Health Services. Lead Cooks prepare, cook and serve a wide variety of meals in large quantities in County institutional kitchens. In Contra Costa County, Lead Cooks provide direction to cooks and other subordinate food service personnel performing kitchen activities and other related duties as assigned. There is currently (1) vacancy in the Health Services Department. However, the eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings in any of the three departments for up to 6 months.

Health Services
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) mission is to care for and improve the health of all people in Contra Costa County with special attention to those who are most vulnerable to health problems. Contra Costa Health Services is the largest department of County government, employing more than 4,250 individuals. CCHS provides high-quality services with respect to responsiveness to all. CCHS is n integrated system of health care services, community health improvement, and environmental protection. Health Services encourages creative, ethical, and tenacious leadership to implement effective health policies and programs.

Office of the Sheriff
When employed with the Office of the Sheriff, you may work within three Detention Facilities located in Martinez, Richmond, and/or Clayton. The Office of the Sheriff offers a full range of services to over 1,000,000 residents in the 715-square-mile county. The Office of the Sheriff works in partnership with the diverse community to safeguard the lives, rights, and property of the people we serve. With unwavering dedication, the Office of the Sheriff provides innovative professional law enforcement services to the community; maintaining the Core Values while always conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards.

Probation Department
When employed with the Probation Department, you may work at the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Martinez or the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron. The Probation Department values integrity, fairness, and excellence. The mission of the Probation Department is to have an unwavering commitment to justice, even in the face of adversity, an ethical application of the law, and a proven approach to rehabilitation. The Department’s vision is to build a talented team working collaboratively to create opportunities for those we serve; to experience a positive outcome that strengthens the individual and makes the community safe.

We are looking for someone who:

• Can prepare and cook large quantities of a variety of different recipes
• Possesses experience as a Head Cook, Executive Chef, or a Chef that has run their own restaurant
• Will plan, direct and review the work of food service personnel
• Understands safety precautions and continuously strives to mitigate occupational hazards
• Possesses excellent administrative and record-keeping skills
• Has a "can do" attitude, and will promote a positive and harmonious working environment

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Performing food preparation and production tasks efficiently and accurately
• Following recipes and adhering to safe food handling policies and procedures
• Instructing and training employees in all aspects of food service and sanitation
• Providing excellent customer service and maintaining a positive attitude
• Maintaining a safe and secure workplace
• Ensuring meals are ready to be served on time
• Making sure that the kitchen is in compliance with all health department regulations

A few reasons you might love this job:

• All ingredients, tools, and utensils needed to make quality foods are provided
• There are opportunities to be creative and develop new recipes
• You will work with a diverse team from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds
• You will be part of a highly collaborative and supportive environment
• The County offers excellent benefits, paid holidays, sick pay and vacation pay

A few challenges you might face on this job:

• You will likely work with individuals that are in custody
• There are pressures to meet deadlines and time constraints
• We work in a fast-paced environment which may include last-minute requests
• You may be required to work on weekends, holidays, special occasions, and/or overtime

Competencies required:

• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Professional Integrity & Ethics; Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what he/she commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others
• Group Facilitation: Enabling constructive and productive group interaction
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Manual Dexterity: Using senses, hands, and fingers in manipulating objects quickly and efficiently
  
  To read the complete job description online please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/classspecs/4934

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up tosix (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operators License

Experience: Three years of full-time (or its equivalent of full-time) food service experience as a journey level cook in a full-service restaurant, hotel, college, detention center, hospital, military installation or similar institution which involved the daily preparation of meals for 100 or more people.

Substitution: Possession of a Certificate in Food Production from an accredited vocational institution, including courses in quantity food preparation, equipment, sanitation and safety, may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
Multiple-Choice Assessment: C andidates who clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online multiple-choice assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Cook classification. These may include, but are not limited to: displaying ownership and accountability ; professional integrity and ethics; actions and results focus; safety focus; self-management; decision making; handling stress (weighted 100%)

The Multiple-Choice Assessment will tentatively take place via computer (remotely) from 8/12/2025 - 8/17/2025

The assessment will be administered remotely using a computer. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment. It is not recommended to take the assessment using a cell phone.

Note: For positions within the Probation Department, candidates will be required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation. Furthermore, candidates shall not have been convicted of a felony as an adult or juvenile in this or any other state or in a federal jurisdiction, or of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction which would have been a felony if committed in this state.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Maceo Trotter at maceo.trotter@hrd.cccounty.us . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/2/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$66,670.02 - $73,503.71 Annually