Cook 2 (25 hours per week, 9.5 months)

About Us

VOTED BEST PLACE TO WORK IN LEWIS COUNTY 2025

Centralia College is on a 30-acre campus of modern buildings set among walking paths, lawns, and native plantings just a few blocks from the heart of Centralia, Washington. The college has served students in the Lewis County region since 1925 and is the oldest continuously operating community college in Washington State. The city of Centralia is a historic railroad and river shipping hub with a vibrant downtown and railway station.

As a comprehensive community college, Centralia College offers academic transfer and workforce programs, as well as adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and personal enrichment classes. The college also offers five Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.

In addition to the main campus in Centralia, Centralia College East in Morton is a smaller site that serves the needs of students in east Lewis County. Centralia College is committed to the success of all students, and thus also provides educational programs at two corrections centers in southwest Washington and one juvenile facility. In total, the college serves more than 4,800 students annually. For nearly 100 years, several generations of Lewis County residents have looked to Centralia College for their education and training needs.

Centralia College is committed to student success, academic excellence, and enhancing and supporting our diverse community in an inclusive and equitable learning environment. We encourage applicants with demonstrated experience collaborating with, and serving, people from a wide range of backgrounds.

For more information on Centralia College and the Centralia area, call 360-736-9391 or visit www.centralia.edu.

Job Description

Supervises, coordinates, and participates in the preparation and serving of all food according to the menu plan approved by a dietitian. This position will assist in planning and organizing food services. The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving attractive, nutritionally balanced meals for children ages one to five years old.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in cooking duties; instructs and trains assistant cooks in cooking and food preparation and handling; inspects food being prepared to ensure proper quantity, quality, and handling methods;
• Assists with the distribution of prepared food to Childrens Lab School/Annex and Pear Street Early Learning Center at scheduled times;
• Inspects kitchen and storage areas to ensure proper sanitary precautions are observed and spoilage minimized;
• Assists Cook 3 with changes to as needed, computes quantity of foodstuff; orders necessary foods, condiments, and supplies; maintains records;
• Cleans kitchen area; washes utensils and equipment; maintains organization; cooperates with teaching staff in nutrition education activities for children by ordering food and offering kitchen utensils;
• Knowledge of Washington State Retail Food Code, Chapter 246-215 WAC to promote and protect the health, safety and well-being of the public and prevent the spread of disease by food;
• Supervises preparation of food and sanitization of space and equipment to meet and exceed the standards and safety required by Department of Health, Department of Youth, Children & Families licensing WACs.
• Participates in OSPI training for CAFCP and grantee-sponsored training as required;
• Maintains accurate records needed for regular audits;
• Works with Support Services Manager and families to provide appropriate substitution and planning for children with food allergies or sensitivities;
• Performs other work as required.

Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of: practices, methods, and procedures of large-scale food preparations; food values and nutrition; personal hygiene, food handling, sanitation, and safety precautions; care and use of kitchen utensils and equipment; record keeping; report preparation; knowledge of food allergies and sensitivities.

Ability to: establish work methods and instruct others in cooking and kitchen work; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with others; estimate quantities and follow large-scale recipes; follow written and oral instructions. Adapt to changes (i.e. food substitutions and numbers served).

Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of staff and children.

Qualifications

Two years cooking experience in a large scale food service or culinary operation

Completion of course in large scale cooking may be substituted for one year of experience

OR

One year experience as a Cook 1 in State service.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of work in a childcare, institution or commercial food preparation;
• Food Handlers Card;
• Knowledge of USDA National Breakfast & Lunch Childcare Program;
• Must maintain CPR, First Aid Certification throughout employment;
• HIV/AIDS Training and/or Blood Pathogens;
• Must have had an MMR immunization and current TB test or statement from Health Dept. that named person is cleared;
• Cleared Department of Early Learning Portable Background Check clearance;
• Must complete online Mandated Reporter Training upon hire and annually.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, taste and smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, taste and smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Conditions of Employment

There is one 25 hours per week, 9.5-month position. Continuance of this position is dependent upon grant funding.

Classified employees are represented by the Washington State Federation of State Employees (WFSE). The state of Washington provides a comprehensive benefits package for state employees.

Note: The successful candidates continued employment will be contingent upon the current position or ability to obtain the following within 45 days of employment:

• Food Handlers Card;
• Knowledge of USDA National Breakfast & Lunch Childcare Program;
• Must maintain CPR, First Aid Certification throughout employment;
• HIV/AIDS Training and/or Blood Pathogens;
• Must have had an MMR immunization and current TB test or statement from Health Dept. that named person is cleared;
• Cleared Department of Early Learning Portable Background Check clearance;
• Must complete online Mandated Reporter Training upon hire and annually.

DEADLINE: This position will close July 21, 2026. The screening committee will begin their review July 22, 2026.

COMPENSATION

Monthly Salary: Range 39 ($2,228.13 - $2,895.63)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Online Application
• Cover Letter that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

Eligibility to Work

If you are hired, you will need proof of identity, and documentation of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work.

The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Centralia College is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

Background Check

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or is currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicants current or past employers. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.

EEO Statement

Centralia College has a strong institutional commitment to the principles of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we strongly urge all qualified applicants, especially people of color, persons of disability, women, and disabled and Vietnam era veterans, to apply. Centralia College is an Equal Opportunity employer.

It is the policy of Centralia College to assure equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 40), religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Centralia College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Designated Title II, VI, VII, IX, Section 504, ADA compliance officer: Vice President for Human Resources and Equity, Hanson Hall Room 101, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia WA 98531-4099, (360)623-8943.

The Human Resources Office is accessible for persons with disabilities. Those who need disability accommodation in the application/employment process, please call (360)623-8943.

Jeanne Clery Statement

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report-Centralia Colleges Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-623-8947.

Title IX Statement

Centralia College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Title IX.