Dining Services III - Cook - Lookout Mountain Youth Service Center

About the Division of Youth Services:

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. 

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

About this Position:

This position performs fully operational food production work within the DYS Food Services Department. Duties in this position include:

Meal preparation and service:

• Prepare food properly to ensure it is attractive, appetizing, and served at correct temperatures

• Follow DYS menus and recipes to comply with the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and DYS policies and procedures

• Enter data accurately onto production worksheets

• Document any required recipe changes and submit them to the facility food service manager

• Set up, tear down, and garnish the serving line as needed

• Serve food in proper quantities according to DYS recipes

Safety and security:

• Anticipate and identify potential safety and security issues, reporting them promptly to managerial or supervisory staff

• Recognize safety hazards and operate food service equipment properly

• Follow established safety practices to prevent slips, trips, falls, burns, and other injuries

• Inventory knives and culinary utensils according to facility procedures to prevent loss

• Adhere to key control procedures and ensure doors remain locked to maintain security.

• Store and handle chemicals properly and safely

• Comply with all DYS policies and facility procedures regarding safety and security

Sanitation:

• Maintain proper sanitation procedures for food handling and kitchen cleaning

• Clean food service equipment and kitchen physical facilities regularly or as assigned to keep them free of food debris, dust, and bacteria

• Monitor and control food times and temperatures to prevent foodborne illness

• Comply with the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations

Inventory control:

• Inspect incoming food and supplies for correct quantity and quality upon arrival

• Reject sub-standard or incorrect food products and supplies

• Store raw food and supplies using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory method

• Date all food products upon delivery

• Sign requisitions and submit them to managerial or supervisory staff

• Assist with monthly physical inventory counts

• Requisition food and supplies when managerial or supervisory staff are absent

Training and meetings:  

• Attend DYS and facility meetings to stay updated on procedural changes

• Participate in training sessions to enhance job knowledge and maintain compliance with DYS policies

Other duties as assigned:

• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisory staff

• Work flexible shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overtime, to maintain required dining coverage for clients

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position.  Work experience must be specifically documented in the work experience section of your application.  Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.



Experience Only:

• Two (2) years of experience in a food service or food service customer service environment.

• Food Service Certification from an accredited organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

• Industry Experience:  Prior food service experience including thorough knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards

• Certifications: Active ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent professional food safety certification.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Full background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Shift Work - Subject to assigned shifts, may be required to work breakfast, lunch, or dinner shifts.
• Position is considered essential and you may be required to report to work during inclement weather
• Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials – Various cleaning agents used in the kitchen.
• Travel – May require floating to other DYS facilities to help with coverage, travel to meetings and training.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  • Provide your employee number from your prior State employment.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
    
    
    

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:  
Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process:
A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position.  You must complete the official State of Colorado online application.  Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process.  Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review: 
After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test. 


Your Work Experience/Job Duties:
Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. 
If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.     

Supplemental Questions: 
Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers  based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).


Appeal Rights:

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email ([email protected]), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or 

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or

  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

 Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact isaac.phelps@state.co.us

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. 

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].

EEO Statement: The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application: Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.