• Job Description

  Req#: 4982666

  San Mateo County Health is seeking an experienced individual for the position of Cook II to prepare and serve food at one of the County Food Services Units located at the Canyon Oaks Youth Center. Currently, there is one regular full-time vacancy.
  
  Some of the responsibilities of a Cook include preparing and serving a variety of dishes in large quantities; checking portioning and garnishing of food, and ensuring that it is served correctly and according to instructions; operating and cleaning a variety of kitchen equipment; calculating ingredients needed; receiving and storing food; training new cooks; mentoring students and/or interns; assisting with menu planning and recipe development; and cleaning the kitchen and dining room.
  
  San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a health care facility. In addition to ensuring patients receive meals in compliance with their physician-prescribed diet order, Cooks assigned to SMMC are responsible for food preparation in the cafeteria and catering. Cooks assigned to Child Nutrition Programs, including the Canyon Oaks Youth Center, are responsible for menu planning, food preparation, and storage.
  
  The ideal candidate will possess:
  - Experience cooking in institutional, correctional, school, or healthcare settings.
  - Ability to follow recipes, adjust for volume, and meet special dietary needs.
  - Basic computer or record-keeping skills for inventory, deliveries, or menu planning.
  - Safe food handler certification or equivalent (ServSafe, etc.).
  - Valid driver's license and ability to operate a vehicle, as this position requires daily operation of a County van for food delivery and related duties.

  
  

  Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  

  • Prepare and serve a variety of main dishes, soups, salads, desserts, and baked goods in large quantities.
  • Assist in supervising and personally participating in preparing salads, serving meals, dish washing, and cleaning of kitchen and dining room.
  • Check portioning and garnishing of food and ensure that it is served correctly and according to instructions.
  • Supervise the work of juvenile and adult inmate assistants.
  • Operate and clean meat slicers, grinders, power mixers, steam cooking, and other kitchen equipment.
  • Calculate the amount of ingredients needed for required portions.
  • Receive and store food.
  • Train new cooks.
  • Assist in menu planning and recipe development.
  • Maintain security in correctional institutions.
  • Drive a truck or van to deliver food and supplies and may maintain basic records related to vehicle use such as mileage and service reports.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

  Education and Experience:
  Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

  • Cook II: Two years of experience as a kitchen worker, including one year as a journey level cook, preparing and serving food in a large commercial or institutional kitchen.

  Licensure/Certification:
  

  • Must possess and maintain a current ServSafe Food Manager or Food Protection Manager Certification for the duration of employment in this classification or obtain certification within six (6) months of employment.
  • Some positions require possession of a current and valid Class C California driver’s license or equivalent.

  Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

  The examination process will consist of a scored evaluation of relevant training and experience. The evaluation is based solely on the responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who pass the training and experience evaluation will be placed on a list of eligible candidates and ranked according to their score (weight: 100%). Because of the training and experience evaluation, not all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are guaranteed advancement through the examination process. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
  
  IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the 'Apply' button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before the final filing date.
  
  TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
  Final Filing Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST
  Scored Training and Experience Evaluation: Week of July 8, 2025
  
  

  NOTE: The Training & Experience Evaluation is not an interview process and does not require candidate attendance.

  
  

  Departmental Interview: The top ranked candidates on the eligible list will be forwarded to the hiring department for an interview, which may include a performance exercise. This interview process will be the basis for final selection.

  
  

  About the County

  San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
  
  The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

  
  

  San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

  
  

  
  HR Contact: Debbie Kong (06242025) (Cook II - S027)

• About the company

  San Mateo County, officially the County of San Mateo, is a county located in the US state of California.

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