Supervising Institutional Cook

County of Orange

Orange, CA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$64,750.40–$87,235.20 Per Year
SKILLS
Administrative Skills, Analysis Skills, Background Investigation, Budgeting, Cafeteria, Catering Services, Communication Skills, Consulting, Continuous Improvement, Cook Dishes, Dietary Management, Establish Priorities, Expense Management, Food Preparation, Food Services, Hospital, Identify Issues, Inventory Costs, Leadership, Mathematics, Menu Management, Military, Operational Strategy, Organizational Skills, People Management, Performance Reviews, Plan Meetings, Portion Control, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Probation/Parole, Problem Solving Skills, Regulations, Regulatory Requirements, Retirement Plan, Safety/Work Safety, Sanitation, Staff Training, Strategic Planning, Team Lead/Manager, Training/Teaching, Waitressing
LOCATION
Orange, CA
POSTED
2 days ago

Supervising Institutional Cook

Salary

$64,750.40 - $87,235.20 Annually

Location

Orange County

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

1640SM-0726-057 (CP)

Department

Probation

Opening Date

07/09/2026

Closing Date

7/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Supervising Institutional Cook

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed, based on position requirements and successful candidates qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO CURRENT COUNTY OF ORANGE EMPLOYEES ONLY

This recruitment will establish a County Promotional eligible list used to fill current and future Supervising Institutional Cook vacancies within the Orange County Probation department. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange. The current vacancy is with the Orange County Probation.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days, and will close on Sunday, July 19th, 2026, 11:59 PM (PDT).

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

PROBATION

The County of Orange, Probation Department is dedicated to continuous improvement, searching out and applying effective and research supported practices to assist justice involved Juveniles, their families, and adults to successfully navigate and successfully complete probation. Additionally, the Probation Department assists the criminal court system through investigations, probation reports and community supervision of approximately 10,000 adult and 800 juvenile clients on court-ordered probation or in diversion programs. The Probation Department also operates the Orange County Juvenile Hall, and two camps for youth. Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of four bureaus - Adult Operations, Juvenile Operations, Strategic Development, and Administrative Services - serves the community using efficient and research supported corrections practices to reduce crime, assist the Courts in managing offenders, promoting lawful and productive lifestyles and assisting victims. You can learn more about the OC Probation Department by clicking here.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Supervising Institutional Cook is responsible for the 24-hour, seven days-a-week operation of varied food services programs in the County. These positions require extensive experience and knowledge of the preparation of large quantities of food within an institutional environment. Incumbents are responsible for coordinating and overseeing staff training in food preparation and serving techniques, as well as instruction in current health and safety regulations governing the preparation of food.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate is an individual who possesses the skills, knowledge, and leadership experience needed to direct a diverse team in a correctional setting. In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate extensive knowledge and/or related experience in the following core competencies:

Professional and Technical Expertise / Knowledge

  • Food service experience in an institutional setting
  • Ability to operate a large-scale dining facility within strict budget constraints
  • Knowledge of basic mathematics and budget analysis
  • Knowledge of large-scale dining facility equipment and safe operating parameters
  • Understands and applies County, State, and Federal health and safety regulations related to food preparation, sanitation and portion control

Judgment / Decision-Making

  • Quickly and effectively adapts to operational changes
  • Evaluates information and resources to develop viable, sustainable solutions
  • Anticipates and identifies potential problems and proactively generates alternative solutions

Oral / Written Communication

  • Communicates in a clear, organized manner both orally and in writing
  • Exemplifies proficiency in communicating with diverse interaction styles
  • Facilitates effective problem solving, consulting with HR when appropriate
  • Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships

Supervision / Leadership

  • Supervises and manages a group of subordinates of varying classifications (e.g. Head Institutional Cook, Institutional Cook, Food Service Worker)
  • Provides counseling and guidance
  • Prioritizes staff assignments and workloads
  • Evaluates staff performance/development and training

PLEASE NOTE: The competencies listed above will be used to select the ideal candidate. Your application and answers to the supplemental questions should be descriptive, concise and highlight the areas you have developed expertise, matching your professional experience with the specific competencies listed above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

Option I

Three (3) years of experience as Head Institutional Cook with the County of Orange.

OR

Option II

Five (5) years of experience preparing and cooking large quantities of food in a correctional facility, hospital, cafeteria, military facility, hotel, banquets/catering or similar setting; must include two (2) years of lead/supervisory experience.

Click here to learn more about the Supervising Institutional Cook job description, minimum qualifications, special qualifications, and physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Written Exam | Multiple Choice (Weighted 100%)

Applicants who meet desirable qualifications will be invited to participate in one or more job-related assessments in a proctored environment consisting of job-related questions. Applicants will be notified of their test date. Only the most qualified applicants will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Departments needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Lauren Taliaferro at 714-645-7048 or at lauren.taliaferro@prob.ocgov.com

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits

In addition to the Countys standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.

http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

01

The information you provide will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position. A response such as "See Resumes" will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement.

  • Yes
  • No

02

Please describe your experience, education and/or training in the operation of a large-scale dining facility.

03

Candidates must possess the qualifications listed under one of the following experience options. Mark the option that applies to you. (For full consideration of your qualifications, you must provide complete details about any qualifying experience on the application form.)

  • Three (3) years of experience as Head Institutional Cook with the County of Orange.
  • Five (5) years of experience preparing and cooking large quantities of food in a correctional facility, hospital, cafeteria, military facility, hotel, banquets/catering or similar setting; must include two (2) years of lead/supervisory experience.
  • Less than five (5) years of experience preparing and cooking large quantities of food in a correctional facility, hospital, cafeteria, military facility, hotel, banquets/catering or similar setting, including two (2) years of lead/supervisory experience.

04

Please describe your experience, education and/or training in the supervision of food services staff. Please be specific as to number and titles of food services staff supervised.

05

Please describe your experience overseeing food service operations within an institutional setting. In your response, include specific examples of your responsibilities related to: • Conducting budget analysis and managing food service expenditures • Planning, ordering, and maintaining food and supply inventory • Ensuring cost-effective menu planning while meeting nutritional and regulatory requirements Please include the size of the facility and the scope of your budget and inventory responsibilities

06

I understand that as part of the selection process for positions within the County of Orange Probation Department, I will be required to undergo an extensive background investigation including but not limited to; Contacting my current and/or previous employers, reference checks, criminal searches, verification of credentials, review of credit history, and review of all previous law enforcement applications and/or backgrounds. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information listed above.

  • Yes
  • No

07

Before submitting your application, be sure to review your application for completeness and accuracy. The information you provide on your application along with your responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements indicated on the job posting. Failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in your application being rejected. Therefore, it is important that you provide the name of your employer, your official job title, dates of employment (from-to, month/year), hours worked per week, and a detailed description of your duties for each job listed on your application. Do not submit an online or hard copy resume in place of the application or supplemental questionnaire. However, if you choose to submit a resume in addition to your application, be sure it includes the same employment information mentioned above.

  • I understand

Required Question

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov

About the Company

C

County of Orange