Detention’s Site Cook

Start a career with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office! The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office offers great pay, benefits and schedule while working in a team-oriented environment focused on the same mission and vision.

The Detention’s Kitchen Cook performs institutional food services involving the preparation of a large volume and variety of food within the Eagle County Detention Facility. Directly supervises up to 4 Jail Worker Inmates assigned to the kitchen to ensure quality and nutritional guidelines are met. Oversees the food orders to achieve budgetary compliance, orders supplies as needed, and works with vendors to ensure proper maintenance and performance of kitchen equipment.

Schedule: Work 7 day’s/nights in a 14-day pay cycle. Each shift is 12 hours from 6.00 am-6:00 pm. This position works a shift rotation where during week one you will work Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun, and the following week you only work Wed and Thur. In addition to the great benefits, Eagle County offers, this position includes free shift meals.

Learn more about the department:

Check us out in action
Vail Daily Article about Detention Center
Mission, Vision & Values

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the preparation of a broad range of meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This requires knowledge of food preparation in soups, cooking meat by grilling, frying, boiling, broiling, roasting, deep frying, or barbecuing. Makes bread and desserts, including pastries, cakes, and cookies.
• Proper understanding and application of food cleanliness to include washing, storing, and cooking vegetables; preparing salad dressings, salads, and all meal items; cuts and wraps meats for future use.
• Follows standard recipes for preparation; tests cooked foods to determine if properly cooked and seasoned.
• Serves menu combinations according to the menu, available ingredients or special needs.
• Ensures that the proper portion sizes are adhered to.
• Operates, monitors, cleans, and maintains kitchen equipment such as dishwasher, stove and oven; Cleans the kitchen following accepted sanitation practices.
• Maintains supply of food, kitchen supplies, cookware, trays, glasses and utensils.
• Processes regular food orders with various vendors and inventory food items upon food delivery.
• Wraps and stores left-over food, and restocks the storeroom.
• Responsible for the direct supervision of the inmates assigned to the kitchen to ensure compliance with food preparation regulations.
• Maintains the monthly food costs and submits monthly reports to the Jail Captain for review.
• Makes menu recommendations to ensure the menu remains fresh and nutritionally balanced.
• Required to create meals that are medically ordered and adhere to religious requirements.
• Observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials safely and reports potentially unsafe conditions.
• Serves the community by demonstrating Eagle County Government mission and core values and following relevant policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification, or Registration:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One year of experience in institutional food preparation; or Any combination of education, training, and experience that produces the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must complete Servsafe Certification within 1 year of employment.
• Must be able to successfully complete a polygraph test, psychological exam, drug screen and detailed background investigation.
• Must not have used illegal drugs within the past 3 years or marijuana within the past 1 year.
• Must not have been convicted of any felonies or any acts involving domestic violence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Foods seasonings and their substitutions.
• Cuts of meat and their cooking characteristics.
• Names and contents of various types of menu items.

Skills in:

• Use of materials and equipment required within the kitchen
• Identifying substitutions for ingredients.
• Preparing large volumes of food.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Follow oral instructions.
• Measure wet and dry ingredients.
• Clean kitchen equipment in a safe and efficient manner
• Read and interpret recipes, including making substitutions for ingredients.
• Weigh, slice, measure and season food appropriately and safely.
• Test the quality of food by taste and smell.
• Work in a sometimes hectic environment.

Culture & Benefits

A career with Eagle County Government impacts and enriches the lives of our community members by following our mission: Creating a Better Eagle County for All. With nearly 500 amazing employees, Eagle County is a progressive and values-driven organization located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. 

Outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a small-town community are attracted to Eagle County for the amazing lifestyle. Although we are best known for our world-class skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, and outdoor activities, it is really the people that make our valley so great!

Benefits for full-time employees: 

• Comprehensive and low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Wellness program where you can earn cash or extra days off
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid time off and medical leave 
• Paid volunteer hours
• 6% match retirement plan
• Free classes at Colorado Mountain College
• Eagle County University classes (internal trainings) 
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• Free bus pass and more

As a certified healthy workplace, our culture recognizes the importance of individual needs and enjoying life outside of work. Other perks may include flexible work arrangements, paid volunteer time, and daytime fitness classes/bike rides. 

Eagle County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Working in a diverse, respectful and inclusive environment is essential for our employees be successful in serving our community. We do not discriminate with regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Eagle, CO Relocation Guide (Courtesy of Town of Eagle & Eagle Chamber)

Vail Valley Relocation Guide (Courtesy of Vail Valley Partnership)

Housing in Eagle County: Like many desirable communities in Colorado and around the nation, we are currently experiencing a short supply of affordable homes to rent or buy. As an organization, we offer employees great benefits to help purchase a home and have a very limited supply of rental units that may be available based on inventory.

Interested candidates are encouraged to research the housing market before applying for a job and/or accepting an offer. Some resources include our Housing & Relocation Information and our Housing Department’s website which includes information about Eagle County’s Down Payment Assistance Program, Rental Assistance, and more.