On-Call Cook

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$23.90 - $29.28 Hourly

Department:

Department of Community Justice (DCJ)

Job Type:

On-Call

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

December 03, 2025

The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

Do you want to help us create a better future as you grow your culinary skills in a fast-paced, commercial food services setting?

The Department of Community Justice Juvenile Services Division is looking for On-Call Cooks to assist in running a large commercial kitchen that prepares meals for hungry teens in our detention facility and to the public in our cafe. This is a great opportunity for individuals with cooking experience and/or culinary training to follow, interpret and convert recipes for batch cooking; clean utensils, equipment and food preparation areas in accordance with sanitation guidelines; and perform other duties required to efficiently run a large commercial food service kitchen.

As part of our nutrition team, you'll gain valuable experience in the following areas:

• Cooking meals according to a planned menu following recipes and production sheets, including the preparation of special meals to meet therapeutic, religious and other dietary needs. You'll use a variety of cooking methods including baking, broiling, frying and steaming. You'll also gain experience cleaning, trimming, cutting and preparing meats, fruits and vegetables; and making menu substitutions based on ingredient availability.
• May have limited involvement in providing culinary job training to youth following the Culinary Arts and the National Restaurant Association's ProStart high school curricula.
• Receiving food orders, equipment and supplies; and rotating inventory.
• Assisting with the preparation of nutrition and administrative reports and maintaining records to meet federal, state and county standards.
• Meal preparation for catering events, which may include assembling platters, cake decorating, breakfast, lunch or dinner meal preparation, loading, unloading and delivery.
• Meal preparation for a small café, including hot entrees and grab-n-go items.
• Assisting with the implementation of USDA Standard Operating Procedures and the Food Service Food Safety Plan for personnel, food, utensils and equipment.

You will be serving youth directly in a custody setting. Our detention facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The schedule has variable days and variable hours (shifts between 5:00 am to 7:30 pm) as this is an on-call position.

About the Team
The Department of Community Justice Juvenile Services Division supervises juveniles on probation and operates the county's juvenile detention facility for high-risk offenders. Our Nutrition Services Unit provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack every day of the year for youth in the detention facility. In addition, we operate the Courtyard Café, which is open Monday-Friday with seating for 30. Our average production for detainee youth, the cafe and other programs is 200 meals per day. Our detention facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Come Find Your Why? (video)

The Department of Community Justice is looking for Cooks who can demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

• Customer Service: You will provide prompt service with a welcoming and professional demeanor. You have the ability to adjust to different customers and changing demands is vital for maintaining a high standard of service. Remaining calm and patient is essential for managing a smooth interaction.
• Teamwork:Clear communication and collaboration among all staff members ensuring smooth operations and consistent service across all customer “touchpoints”.
• Organization, Prioritization and Cleanliness: This can range from ensuring proper kitchen setup and order accuracy to managing your time effectively. Maintaining a clean personal appearance and work area is a non-verbal form of communication that assures customers of hygiene and professionalism.
• Strategic Planning / Leadership: You will develop goals and direction based on the overall county/department mission and vision to increase community safety through positive change.
• Results Through People: You will help achieve results through the contribution of others by motivating and inspiring growth and productivity.
• Relationships and Community: You will build positive and sustainable relationships with a range of key internal and external stakeholders.
• Leading Cross-Culturally: You will foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision, mission, and goals of the organization.
• Team Building:You will develop, inspire, and foster employees to work collaboratively.
• Organizational Savviness:You will demonstrate understanding and good judgment of organizational culture and interpersonal relationships, with both internal and external groups, to identify opportunities of mutual interest and benefit.
• Delivery:You will ensure services are provided by quality processes through monitoring and understanding.
• Outcomes:You achieve quality outcomes for the individual, the organization, and the county.
• Personal Development: You will strive for an honest and accurate assessment of oneself and demonstrate willingness for continuous improvement.
• Functional/Technical:You possess specific knowledge about laws, regulations, certifications, licensure and skills for specific assignments.

WORKFORCE EQUITY

At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE

Vision ~ Community Safety through Positive Change

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is recognized as a national leader in both adult and juvenile community justice. DCJ routinely consults and makes use of evidence-based practices in our program and policy development. The Department's commitment to data-informed decision-making has led DCJ to make smart investments of taxpayer dollars in supervision, sanctions, and services for the county's highest risk and highest need justice-involved individuals. DCJ makes long-term investments in its employees through the provision of education and training. The Department believes that in order to enhance public safety we must work collaboratively with the judiciary, law enforcement, schools, treatment agencies, and the community.

The Department shares information with community members, partners, and staff to keep communities safe by preventing and reducing crime and routinely evaluating which local policies support best practices. DCJ operates 24 hours a day, with nearly 650 regular, on-call, and temporary employees. The Department supervises justice-involved individuals and those defendants requiring pretrial services. DCJ's Juvenile Services Division operates the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility and is responsible for youth on formal and informal community supervision.

More general information about the Department of Community Justice including our mission, vision, and strategies can be found at:www.multco.us/dcj.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Internal candidates:After you have applied, you will receive an acknowledgement task and the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you complete and submit these tasks in Workday.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• One (1) year of cooking experience in a school lunch, restaurant, café/deli, catering, or institutional food service program
• Must possess a valid Oregon Food Handler's Card. (Please note: ServSafe is not accepted in lieu of the Oregon Food Handler's Card).
• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• One (1) or more years of cooking experience in a school lunch, restaurant, café/deli, catering, or institutional food service program.
• Ability to lift 50-75 pounds.
• Ability to push/pull 200-400 pounds.
• Some positions require a valid driver's license.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The Application Packet: Please be sure to provide all the required materials below in your application submission:

• Online application (required):Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.
• Attach a resume (optional):Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid.
• Attach a copy of your valid Oregon Food Handler's Card (required): You can find studying and testing information by going to either the Oregon Food Handler’s Card or Multnomah County Food Handler’s Card at the links provided.

The Selection Process:For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials and/or oral exam to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/Interviews
• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.

Equal Pay:Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Type of Position: This temporary/hourly position is eligible for overtime.

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Schedule: variable schedule and day, On-Call position (typically up to 20 hours in a work week - shifts between 5:00 am to 7:30 pm)

Location: Juvenile Justice Complex @ 1401 NE 68th Portland, OR 97213

Benefits: $1.50 additional per hour in lieu of benefits; paid sick leave

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, regular, temporary, limited duration, and on-call positions. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Yulee Kim-Whetstone

Email:

yulee.kimwhetstone@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 3490804

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6260 - Cook