AC COOK - WSP

About the Department

 The Department of Corrections is seeking highly motivated and qualified individual as an AC Cook at Washington State Penitentiary (WSP)

**Note: This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that may occur.**

The Washington State Penitentiary is staff 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.  Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.
  
 The Department of Corrections, as a partner in the criminal justice system, enhances public safety, administers criminal sanctions and programs in accordance with the law and provides leadership for the future of corrections in Washington State.
  
 The Washington State Penitentiary is comprised of 4 Close Custody Units, 3 Special Housing Units, 2 Intensive Management Units, 2 Medium Units, 2 Minimum Housing Units and a Hospital. In all, WSP houses approximately 2,000 incarcerated individuals and employees approximately 1,100 staff.

 To be considered for this position, please attach a professional resume and a letter of interest (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position.

Position Duties

This position contributes to the agency’s mission to improve public safety by providing oversight for the vocational training, direction, and supervision of an offender work crew. The Cook A/C provides offenders needed vocational and job skills training to become better prepared and equipped to find meaningful and productive employment upon their transition into the community. Under the supervision of a Cook A/C, offenders attain job skills and training in the preparation, cooking, serving, and storage of food, and receive instruction in the appropriate use of equipment.

Duty: 

Participate in the preparation and service of all food on a shift, to include delivery via tractor and/or trailer.

Tasks include: 

• Perform mathematical calculations, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, in converting recipes to determine appropriate quantity of food product required to meet menu requirements and population to be served.
• Ensure adherence to appropriate portion control protocols.
• Check food product during and after preparation, ensuring appropriate quality standards are met and that adequate quantity has been prepared.
• Understand and apply rethermalization of food process/procedures if appropriate.
• Practice and perform progressive cooking techniques used for quality control and to decrease waste within the food service area.
• Follow basic safety practices to preclude hazards and accidents such as slipping on wet floors or where food has been spilled, possible cuts from knives, and being burned from steam, hot foods, stove, hot grease, and water.

Duty: 

Supervise and instruct offenders in general cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation and service.

Tasks include: 

• Supervise, train, and instruct offenders in general food services practices including receipt of goods, storage of goods, preparation, cooking, and serving of food.
• Supervise and train offenders in preparing special diets (medical or religious) and preparing and setting up satellite trays or carts and serving lines. Service of meals includes segregation trays, service of mainline, preparation and distribution of sack lunches, and lock down meals.
• Supervise, coach, instruct, train, and provide constructive feedback to offenders in the safe handling, operation, care, use, and cleaning of kitchen equipment such as mixers, slicers, grills, steam kettles.
• In accordance with policy, train offenders in the preparation and serving of food, hygiene, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), use and care of equipment per manufacture’s guidelines, and safety hazards (HAZMAT).
• Maintain and model the highest standards of personal hygiene.
• Schedule and organize daily work of offenders.

Duty: 

Perform inventory and reporting tasks.

Tasks include: 

• Maintain and organize accurate food inventories, and rotate stock items to prevent spoilage and pilferage.
• Receive, store, and distribute raw and pre-prepared or pre-packaged food products in accordance with required standards.
• Complete, monitor, and maintain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) logs.
• Prepare written reports, manually and by computer entry.   
• Mandatory reporting via Incident Report when accidents/damages occur. 
• Prepare work orders and equipment repair orders.

Duty: 

Supervise and monitor offenders.

Tasks include: 

• Intervene in emergencies by calling for assistance, containing the incident, and assisting staff in incident response. 
• Monitor inmates, and intervene when inappropriate behavior is displayed.
• Maintain security in assigned area to include personal safety and the safety of other staff, and perform duties consistent with good security practices.
• Perform area searches as needed.
• In emergent situations, perform pat searches as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Valid Drivers License.

High School diploma or equivalent and successful completion of a culinary arts program at an accredited community college or vocational technical school.

OR

High School diploma or equivalent and two years of experience as a cook in a food service establishment.

AND

Ability to:

• cook a variety of foods
• follow written and oral instructions
• write clearly, factually, and concisely
• read, understand, estimate quantities and follow recipes with minimal waste
• effectively communicate verbally
• schedule and organize daily work
• operate and demonstrate the safe handling and operation of kitchen equipment, e.g., mixers, ovens, choppers, slicers, grills, steam kettles
• maintain security, order, and discipline of offenders supervised
• role model appropriate behavior to offenders
• supervise, coach, train, and provide constructive feedback to offenders in general kitchen operational practices

Knowledge of:

• a variety of foods
• alternate food preparation methods i.e., cook/chill and cook/freeze
• basic arithmetic, e.g., adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• food service practices, food preparation, and production methods and procedures
• food service record keeping
• HACCP protocols, practices, and tools for food service

Understanding of: 

• weights and measures and differentiate between applications
• rethermalization of food process/procedures

Observation - Observes and strategizes personal action based on environmental conditions and human behavior.

Technology - Learns and utilizes computer-based applications in the performance of job duties.

Stress Tolerance - Remains calm and rational while handling difficult situations to include, but not limited to, volatile, threatening or other crisis/emergency situations.  Appropriately intervenes in response to threats.

Professional Standards - Knows and applies relevant law, policy, procedure, and practice.   Adheres to established productivity standards and timelines.  Identifies own training needs and proactively seeks training opportunities.

Other Qualifications

 To be considered for this position, please attach a professional resume and a letter of interest (preferably no more than two pages) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are an ideal candidate for this position.

For additional information about the agency, please visit doc.wa.gov. 

Vision:  Working together for safer communities.
Mission:  Improving public safety by positively changing lives.
Our Commitment:  To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
   
   DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.
    
    
IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.  If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. **Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
• Answers to supplemental questions must be verifiable with provided work history.
• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.   When positive tests result, further information, testing, and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

Telework Details
   This is an onsite position and not allocated for telework.
   
What We Offer: 
   As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.  Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:
 

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

*The DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.

 For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [email protected]. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov