Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

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Acceptable Experience and Education

High school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of one (1) year work experience in large food service operations preferably in an institutional setting.


Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.


Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, and other requirements

In order to access into the County's network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.


Must have telephone and report residence.


Has experience with the qualifications, requirements, and regulations of meal production as set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child nutrition Program.


Must have experience with requirements and regulations set by The City of El Paso Department of Public Health.


Must have current Food Handler's Permit.


Wears approved, designated staff uniform including non-slip black safety shoes;


Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.


Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage is required.

Typical Duties

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Essential Duties

Prepares and serves meals by following standardized recipes and using commercial cooking equipment;


Adheres to post meal serving times; reviews and/or prepares Food Production Records daily;


Prepares and cooks assigned menu items in specified quantities as indication on the Food Production Record;


Adheres to and follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child Nutrition requirements as meals served must be well-balanced, and nutritious;


Operates tools and equipment according to prescribed safety standards;


Monitors kitchen equipment gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure the equipment is working properly;


Is responsible for all aspects of the kitchen when designated as the "Cook" for the day;


Records quantities of foods prepared, and foods left over, on the Food Production Records;


Stores food properly using date and time labels and initials;


Documents required information on the corresponding departmental food temperature logs;


Receives and verifies food and supply deliveries with items ordered by Department and signs appropriate invoices;


Receives food inventory from vendor, ensures food temperatures and conditions meet standards;


Performs food rotation using the First-In First-Out (FIFO) method of inventory;


Maintains a clean and sanitary kitchen area at all times;


Ensures compliance with all sanitation and health codes of food handling;


Performs cleaning of dishes, ovens, shelves, utensils, and all other kitchen areas and tools;


Ensures safety and proper use of chemicals, chemical hazards, and the appropriate storage of chemicals;


Communicates and reports to Culinary Supervisor and Assistant Culinary Supervisor for equipment repair or replacement, menus for special groups, inventory issues, out of the ordinary security issues, and contingency planning when emergencies arise at the facility;


Provides excellent customer service and demonstrates commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts;


Maintains Key Control/Security of the kitchen area;


Reports breaches of security or unsound practices;


Reports any confrontation provoked by a juvenile or staff member;


Conducts periodic mechanical inspection of kitchen equipment;


Ensures total security of kitchen utensils and tools;


Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;


Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts;


Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills

Other Important Duties

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.


Maintains a safe and healthy workplace environment.


Must be available to work non-traditional hours 24 hours a day, 7 day a week, 365 day a year including holidays, shift work and be on call as necessary on official business.


As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary

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The Cook under general supervision plans, organizes, prepares, and cooks all meals according to the food production records to meet menu requirements as established by the Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program and El Paso County; maintains high standards of quality in food production, kitchen sanitation, and safety practices; complies with the security standards set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department Secure Juvenile Pre-Adjudication Detention and Post-Adjudication Correction Facilities.

Additional Information

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The Cook under general supervision plans, organizes, prepares, and cooks all meals according to the food production records to meet menu requirements as established by the Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program and El Paso County; maintains high standards of quality in food production, kitchen sanitation, and safety practices; complies with the security standards set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department Secure Juvenile Pre-Adjudication Detention and Post-Adjudication Correction Facilities.



El Paso County offers a very comprehensive benefit package (some benefits may not apply to part time or temporary employees) consisting of the following:

HOLIDAYS

16 holidays per year as recognized.

VACATION

Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.

10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)

15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)

20 days (15 years of service or over)

SICK LEAVE

Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.

MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVES

Military Leave - 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service

Bereavement Leave - 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.

MEDICAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Plan Costs - Biweekly Rates

Effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025

Medical

Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)

No Discounts

EE Only $5.34

EE & Spouse $145.30

EE & Children $101.93

EE & Family $238.07

2% Tobacco-Free Discount

EE Only - $5.24

EE & Spouse - $142.39

EE & Children - $99.89

EE & Family - $233.31

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount

EE Only - $5.14

EE & Spouse - $139.49

EE & Children - $97.85

EE & Family - $228.55

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount

EE Only - $5.04

EE & Spouse - $136.58

EE & Children - $95.81

EE & Family - $223.79

Core Plan

No Discounts

EE Only - $35.70

EE & Spouse - $226.41

EE & Children - $174.96

EE & Family - $358.61

2% Tobacco-Free Discount

EE Only - $34.98

EE & Spouse - $221.88

EE & Children - $171.46

EE & Family - $351.44

4% Wellness Screening & HRA Discount

EE Only - $34.26

EE & Spouse - $217.35

EE & Children -$167.96

EE & Family - $344.27

6% Tobacco-Free AND Wellness Screening & HRA Discount

EE Only - $33.56

EE & Spouse - $212.83

EE & Children - $164.46

EE & Family - $337.09

RETIREMENT

Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.

LIFE INSURANCE

Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY

The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE

Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.

SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM

The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REIMBURSEMENT

Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EdAP)

Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses.

EMPLOYEE FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER

The Employee Fitness and Wellness Center opened in October 2021 at the County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.