- Working title
- Cook Specialist II
- Monthly salary
- $3,996.00 - $4,907.00 per Month
- Exam #
- 2990
- Deadline
- Continuous
- External Link
- View Full Bulletin
00102184 - COOK SPECIALIST II
Under supervision, to prepare, cook, and dispense food for the residents and employees of a State institution; to care for culinary equipment, supplies, and work areas; to supervise, instruct, and 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
Prepares, cooks, and dispenses soups, sauces, meats, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, salads, salad dressing, fruits, pastries, desserts, breads, and beverages; cleans and maintains culinary utensils and equipment and the working area with the assistance of helpers; assigns work and gives instruction and training to employees and helpers from the resident population, evaluates their performance, and takes or recommends appropriate action; may plan menus; inspects personnel and working areas and maintains safety and sanitation standards; reports on the work progress of assistants; keeps records; as required, requisitions, receives, inspects, stores, and inventories supplies; and acts for the Supervising Cook in his absence.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Cooks in large institutions normally work with other cooks as a part of a shift team. Different items of food are prepared separately in large quantities and specialized fixed equipment such as steam- jacketed kettles and revolving ovens are used.
In small institutions, the cook on each shift usually prepares an entire meal with the assistance of helpers and may plan menus. Equipment used may be either kitchen ranges and portable utensils or specialized fixed equipment such as steam-jacketed kettles and revolving ovens.
Employees in the next higher class of Supervising Cook I assign work, supervise, and give instruction to culinary employees and helpers from the resident population.
Employees in the next lower class of Cook Specialist I assist the cook, baker, or butcher-meat cutter by performing the less responsible and less skilled work required in preparing, cooking, and dispensing food. Through training and experience, Cook Specialists I are expected to develop skill in quantity cooking.
SPECIAL PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Sympathetic understanding of and willingness to work with resident population of State institutions; 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.
00102184 - COOK SPECIALIST IIEither I
Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Cook Specialist I.
Or II
Three years of experience as a cook in one or a combination of the following:
1. Preparing food for at least 250 persons a meal with experience at the various stations, not less than six months of which shall have been in charge of the work of kitchen helpers or others doing similar work. or
2. Personally preparing complete breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for 50 or more persons a meal. (Short-order cooking experience is not considered qualifying.) (Full-time training in a recognized trade school for cooks and bakers may be substituted for not more than two years of either type of the required experience on the basis of one month of such 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 II - 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 & 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 using education/training, you may also need to include a copy of your unofficial transcripts or certificate(s) showing proof of coursework/completion of 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 IIQuestions 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 Accommodations 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.