- Working title
- Cook Specialist I
- Monthly salary
- $3,581.00 - $4,388.00 per Month
- Exam #
- 2689
- Deadline
- Continuous
- External Link
- View Full Bulletin
00102185 - COOK SPECIALIST I
Under supervision, to assist in preparing, cooking, and dispensing food for the residents and employees of a State Institution; to care for culinary equipment, supplies, and work areas; to work with employees and helpers from the resident population; may instruct, lead, or supervise inmates, wards, or resident workers; and do other related work.
TYPICAL TASKS
Performs the less responsible and less skilled tasks required in preparing, cooking, and dispensing various food items; relieves the cooks, bakers, or meat cutters of routine operations such as tending steam kettles, watching, turning, and stirring food; supervises clean-up operations and such other duties as slicing bread, weighing ingredients, and cutting and grinding meat; cleans and maintains culinary utensils, equipment, and work areas with the assistance of employees and helpers from the resident population; participates in on-the-job or classroom instruction for cooks; may supervise the work of helpers from the resident population; as required, acts for the Cook Specialist II, Baker I, or Butcher-Meat Cutter I in his/her absence.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the first working level in the Cook series. Employees in the class of Cook Specialist I normally work under the supervision of a Cook Specialist II performing the less responsible and less skilled duties required in the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food. Employees in this class may be used in detached living units for short order food preparation and supervision of food serving by residents.
Employees in this class who perform responsible cooking duties either through a combination of duties or rotation may also supervise such activities as the cleaning of cooking pots and equipment in a central pot washing room, the preparation of fruits and vegetables in a central vegetable room, or the cleanup and other less responsible tasks in the kitchen, bake shop, or butcher shop, such as bread slicing, weighing ingredients, and the more routine meat cutting and grinding. However, if these duties are performed on a permanent full-time basis and not in combination with or rotated with more responsible cooking duties, such duties are allocated to the class Food Service Technician II.
Through training or on-the-job work experience employees are expected to develop skill in quantity cooking as preparation for advancement to Cook Specialist II.
Employees in the class of Food Service Technician I in the kitchen, bake shop, or meat unit perform the more routine tasks, and clean and maintain utensils, equipment, and work areas.
SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Sympathetic understanding of and willingness to work with the resident population of a State institution; personal cleanliness; good sense of smell and taste; and freedom from communicable diseases.
All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.
00102185 - COOK SPECIALIST IEither I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Food Service Technician I.Or II
One year of experience in assisting a cook in the preparation and cooking of a varied menu (Full-time training in a recognized trade school or training program for cooks may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of one month of school attendance being equal to two months of experience).
This examination is administered on a continuous basis with quarterly cutoff dates every three (3) months. Please see the cutoff dates below for FY 24-25:
*If your application is received after the cutoff date, it will be retained and considered for the next examination administration.
Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:
- 4/11/2025
- 7/11/2025
Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.
Who Should Apply
The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.
Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):
- COOK SPECIALIST I - Open
Please Note:
- All applicants MUST meet the education and/or experience requirements by the cutoff date in order to be considered for that administration.
- Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.
- Part-time or full-time jobs, regardless of whether paid or volunteer positions, and inside or outside California state service will count towards experience.
How to Apply
Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.
Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.
You may apply by mail to:
- Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Attention: Examination Unit
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
- Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Attention: Examination Unit
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.
Please note the following:
1.) A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.
2.) All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.
3.) If qualifying under Minimum Qualifications (MQ) Pattern II, you MUST also include a copy of your unofficial transcripts or certificate(s) showing proof of coursework/completion or training.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Special Testing Arrangements
If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.
If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.
Application Link
Cook Specialist IQuestions regarding this examination should be directed to:
CAL FIRE Examination Unit710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9580
CALFIREexams@fire.ca.gov
CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9570 ext. Option 3
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.