SENIOR COOK

Position/Program Information

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PROBATION DEPARTMENT

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
We welcome applications from anyone.

EXAM NUMBER:
F6399G

FILING PERIOD:
The application filing period will begin on June 29, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous.
We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California, with over 116,000 employees in more than 38 Departments, we provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more.

We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2,300 different job descriptions, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

The Los Angeles County Probation Department is recruiting highly motivated and career-minded individuals to fill the position of Senior Cook. To view classification standards for the position, Click here .

For more information about the amazing benefits offered by Los Angeles County, please Click here .

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises and instructs food service staff including subordinate Food Service Workers and Cooks in standard preparation and cooking techniques utilized in the preparation of a variety of food items, proper use of various kitchen utensils and equipment, portioning and serving of food items, preparation and set up of meal facilities, and proper cleaning of dishes, pots, pans, equipment, kitchen work areas, and food storage areas.
• Creates work assignments and inspects the work of food service staff and/or inmate workers while in progress, and upon completion, to ensure that the quality of food prepared is acceptable and meets established dietary guidelines.
• Instructs food services staff and/or inmate workers in health and safety regulations and monitors compliance with those regulations.
• Inspects food supplies received, rejects those supplies of poor or unacceptable quality, oversees the proper storage of supplies accepted and monitors the rotation of supplies to prevent spoilage.
• Coordinates workstation cooking activities with those of other kitchen units, ensuring that food items are prepared on time and that food to be served is maintained at proper temperatures.
• Supervises the setup of meal facilities and oversees the serving of food in compliance with department policy and procedures and health and safety regulations.
• Ensures that utensils and work areas are clean and ready for the next shift.
• Submits requisitions for food supplies based on daily/weekly menu plans by utilizing computer software applications, as needed.
• Modifies recipes using computer software applications to meet changes in the number of servings and the substitution of recipe ingredients when other ingredients are unavailable.
• Performs baking duties or work in the butcher shop, as needed.
• Oversees the activities of a shift, as needed.
• Acts as a lead person, supervising and/or instructing youth in a County-sponsored program, as needed.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:


Option I: Completion of a certificate program* accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC) with at least 48 semester or 72 quarter units in Culinary Arts from an accredited college AND two (2) years’ experience in quantity food preparation and cooking of complete meals in an institutional, commercial, military, or similar establishment.***

Option II: Two (2) years' journey level** experience in quantity food preparation and cooking of complete meals in an institutional, commercial, military, or similar establishment.***

License:

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out essential functions.

Physical Class 3 - Moderate:

This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

Veterans Credit:

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veteran’s credit, which is an additional 10% of the total points added to a passing score. We will need a copy of your form DD214 to review, so please include that with your application or email it to the exam analyst at david.andrade@probation.lacounty.gov as soon as possible so, if you are eligible for veteran’s credit, we can include it before the list is available.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*To receive credit for your certificate/education, include a legible copy of your official certificate/diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution within seven (7) days of filing your application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf .

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

**Journey-level experience is defined as possessing the required knowledge, skills, and training to perform a full-range and diversity of work independently and reliably. Positions at this level operate with significant freedom from day-to-day supervision and need little or no guidance on such matters as selecting appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques, locating appropriate regulation, or applying proper procedures to carry out work.

***List of similar establishments (e.g., hospital, school, military, correctional facility, hotel, restaurant etc.)

Experience in fast food service is not considered as qualifying for this position. Quantity food preparation and cooking of complete meals refer to experience preparing and cooking a variety of food items including soups, meats, vegetables, and other foods.

NO WITHHOLD OR OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS EXAMINATION.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Additional points will be given to qualified applicants beyond meeting the requirements and who possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Experience in safe food handling and kitchen/equipment sanitation to ensure prevention of food borne illness in accordance with health and safety food regulations.
• Experience in utilizing software application systems such as, Outlook, Excel, etc., to track supplies and generate reports using specific commands (e.g., Excel- menu commands, setting up simple arithmetic formulas, etc.) and to maintain records of kitchen supplies and equipment.
• Graduation from an accredited high school -OR- A California High School Proficiency Certificate awarded by the California State Board of Education or higher education****.

****In order to receive credit for high school diploma/GED/ California High School Proficiency Certificate or higher education, you must indicate on the job application and attach a legible copy of the official diploma or official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization and degree awarded with Registrar's signature and/or school seal with your application at the time of filing in NEOGOV or within 7 calendar days of online application submission or credit may not be awarded. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst. You may email required documents to david.andrade@probation.lacounty.gov

A California High School Proficiency Certificate is awarded by passing the General Educational Development Test (GED) or the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) tests.

In accordance with the provisions of California Government Code Section 1031(e), accredited high schools are those accredited by certifying organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and include accredited public and non-public high schools in the United States and accredited United States Department of Defense high schools.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT
This examination will consist of an Evaluation of Education and Experience based upon the application information, desirable qualifications and supplemental questionnaire weighted 100%.

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the list.

ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION:
Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. Applicants who passed the assessment will be placed on a list for a period of twelve (12) months. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Probation Department as they occur.

No person may compete in this examination more than once every twelve (12) months.

SPECIAL INFORMATION
FINGERPRINTING AND SECURITY CLEARANCE
A thorough background investigation will be conducted prior to appointment. Any false statement or omission of material fact may cause forfeiture of employment rights. Information presented on the employment application, resume, and during the examination process is subject to verification.

Candidates who are found unsuitable for employment will be removed from the eligible list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04.

AVAILABLE SHIFT
Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends, and Holidays

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates. Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part.

Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

• info@governmentjobs.com
• no-reply@governmentjobs.com
• donot-reply@amcatmail.com
• david.andrade@probation.lacounty.gov
  
  

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, access to complete an application is available at public libraries throughout the county.

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's login information may erase a candidate's original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI) :
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Department Contact Name: Probation Examinations & Recruitment Unit, Non-Sworn Exams
Department Contact Number: (562) 940-2659
Department Contact Email: David.Andrade@probation.lacounty.gov
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929

For detailed information, please click here

Los Angeles County

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