Lead Cook

Organization

Operations

Pay

$16.62

Pay Frequency

Hourly

Full Time / Part Time

Full time

Job Summary

Under general supervision, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Transitional Living Center (TLC) Kitchen, including meal service, staff coordination, inventory management, ordering, menu planning, recipe consistency, sanitation standards, and efficient use of resources.

Job Description

Safety-Sensitive Position: Yes (as defined under Oklahoma Statute Title 63 § 427.8

All candidates conditionally offered transfer, promotion or initial hiring into a DOT/safety-sensitive position shall submit to testing for drugs and alcohol and test negative before performing any job functions that are safety-sensitive or require a CDL. External job applicants with a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test result shall be denied employment and shall be required to wait one year before applying for another position within Tulsa County.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Oversee the planning of the menus to effectively utilize food stock or produce to prevent loss.
• Assess the need for and orders groceries, produce and other supplies; update grocery order form as needed, ensure maintenance of storage requirements for commodity products, communicate any new food of supply needs to immediate supervisor; and utilize seasonal food purchasing practices.
• Maintain accurate kitchen inventory systems and utilize inventory information to forecast needs, reduce waste, and make cost-effective ordering decisions.
• Review shelter census, estimate and prepare quantities of foods as needed. 
• Establish consistent kitchen procedures including labeling, dating, food rotation, storage organization, and documentation practices.
• Refer to menu and instructions, and select meats, fowl and vegetables from storage.
• Baste, sear, batter, cut, portions and prepare meals according to standardized recipes, menus, production needs, and established food services guidelines.
• Maintain and follow standardized recipes, including adjusting quantities based on census and service needs to ensure consistency, portion control, and accurate ordering.
• Cook meat and vegetables using ovens, griddles and other utensils.
• Apportion and serve food from steam table. 
• Ensure kitchen cleaning schedule is carried out.
• Clean kitchen floors, equipment, tables, sinks, walk-in refrigerator, freezer room and cook's office using the appropriate cleaning agents and cleaning equipment.
• Ensure that grease and food disposal guidelines are adhered to and that cleaning schedules are followed.
• Utilize basic technology, including electronic inventory forms, spreadsheets, ordering systems, and other tracking tools.
• Provide leadership, training, and accountability to kitchen staff to ensure consistent daily operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

REQUIRED  KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of institutional food preparation and cooking; and of cutting meat. 

Skill in estimating food requirements; and in preparing and cooking tasty foods to present an attractive and pleasant flavor. 

Ability to plan, organize and control the work of others; to create menus; to understand and follow oral and written instructions; to deal tactfully with others; to apply sensory perception in judging flavor and readiness of foods by smell, taste or appearance; to meet preparation and work schedules; to work varied shifts; and Tulsa City County Health Department Food Code regulations; and to understand and follow departmental policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides daily leadership and direction to kitchen staff while supporting the Operations Supervisor with supervisory responsibilities. Assists in overseeing cooks within the Kitchen Department and may perform supervisory duties in alignment with organizational policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; administering rewards and disciplinary actions; and addressing complaints and resolving issues.

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and one year of satisfactory, full time paid employment in institutional cooking with at least one year of successful staff and kitchen supervision experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to prioritize tasks, anticipate operational needs, solve problems independently, and communicate concerns timely.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current Food Handlers Card from Tulsa City/County Health Department

Current Certified Food Services Manager Certification from Tulsa City/County Health Department

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, to fumes or airborne particles and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration.  The employee could be exposed to head lice, scabies, hepatitis, HIV-AIDS, or tuberculosis. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EEO STATEMENT

Tulsa County does not discriminate against any individual because of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, or political affiliation (except when such person advocates or belongs to an organization which advocates the overthrow of our constituted government by force or violence) with regard to all terms, conditions, eligibilities, and privileges of employment for all positions in the County.

NOTE: Job descriptions are subject to change based on changing business needs and conditions.

Location

Tulsa County Social Services