Cook Part-Time – Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

About the Department

Are you ready to join a team that is “Building Community Through Fun?” Are you ready to make a difference?

The City of San José’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is looking for people who want to make San José a better place to live. Our mission is to connect people through parks, recreation and neighborhood services for an active San José. ActivateSJ, PRNS’ latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity and public life.

The Department creates and activates thriving places where people live, work, play, and learn, which include 48 community centers, 10 regional parks, 207 neighborhood parks, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 290 playgrounds and almost 61 miles of trails, programs and services that touch the lives of individuals and families in our community. We take a fun approach to public service, and value the public’s trust. Our team is collaborative, supportive, and innovative. We are a fast-paced organization that takes decisive action after thoughtful planning.

For more information, please visit activatesj.org.

Position Duties

The Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (2) part-time Cook vacancies in the Parks Division at Family Camp and Arcadia.

Arcadia Ballpark

The Part-time Cook is responsible for managing concession operations which includes daily cooking and food preparation, stocking the kitchen and ensuring proper level of inventory is maintained, coordinating with food and beverage vendors, leading kitchen staff, and developing food and beverage menus for all programs including league nights, weekday and weekend rentals, and special events.

Family Camp at Yosemite

Family Camp at Yosemite is a 51 acre all inclusive Camp located in Groveland, Ca near Yosemite National Park where campers are served three meals a day plus snacks and beverages. The Part-time Cook will be responsible for managing food service operations which include overseeing seasonal staff for kitchen support, menu planning, inventory budgeting, ordering, and control, coordinating with vendors, kitchen maintenance and cleaning, as well as meal preparation for guests and staff (up to 300 people per day).

The Part-time cook will work seasonal from April through October with varying hours week to week based on the needs of Camp. Regular season operates May through August, and the shoulder season (April- May & August to October) provides opportunities for private rentals and catering.

The ideal candidate will have experience cooking for a large number of guests, accommodating dietary restrictions and managing a commercial kitchen.

Hourly range for this position is $24.82-$30.15 The Cook classification is subject to the City’s pay floor rate. This hourly rate consists of a base amount and an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing compensation pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Duties and Responsibilities General duties include training part-time food service employees, assigning work and providing direction; developing and maintaining relationships with work experience program volunteers; developing seasonal food and beverage menus; overseeing food preparation quality and safety; and developing and maintaining an attractive and consistent presentation. Additional duties may be assigned in accordance with facility management needs. Please be advised that this position will have a schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. Additionally, the position requires long periods of standing, walking, use of a hand-held radio and some lifting.

• Ensure guests are provided with quality food and beverage items presented in a professional manner that achieves positive reviews and growing sales. Interact with park guests to identify , develop, and implement menu items that appeal to San José's diverse visitors.
• Assist in planning, coordination, and conduct catering for special events , private rentals, birthday parties and evaluate food service program trends.
• Ensure staff and facilities are compliant with County Health Department standards and that all food safety certifications are maintained .
• Enforce proper food preparation and handling procedures, in compliance with all Health Department and Food Service Department policies regarding sanitation.
• Assist in preparation and servicing of food.
• Provide direction to kitchen staff and volunteers, train, assign and monitor work.
• Coordinate and place orders with food and beverage vendors to ensure that a proper level of inventory is maintained .

• Assist in maintaining cashiers with training and best practices for revenue security.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Education Development [GED] Test or California Proficiency Certificate)

Experience: One (1) year of experience in cooking and delivering food services for large groups.

Acceptable Substitutions: None

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

• JOB EXPERTISE: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations
  
• Experience in a high volume and fast paced food service facility
• Experience preparing meals for catered events ?
• Experience preparing menus for a diverse clientele ?
• Ability to plan menus and execute them within budget ?
• Ability to keep accurate inventory and financial records ?
• Ability to maintain high standards of food service, safety and sanitation ?
• Exhibits schedulable hours that are broad and flexible enough to fill multiple shifts within a 7-day week and willing to work holidays ?
• ServSafe certification is desired and training can be provided upon hire for certification.
• LEADERSHIP: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.
  
• TEAMWORK & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
  
• CUSTOMER SERVICE: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
  
• COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
  
• COMPUTER SKILLS Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel
  

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a [practical/writing exercise].
QUESTION 1
Which PT Cook position are you interested in? Family Camp, Arcadia Ballpark, or both?

QUESTION 2

Please give us a brief introduction of yourself, including your experience and knowledge that qualifies you for the PT Cook position.

QUESTION 3

Please describe and list where you obtained the experiences you selected above. Your response must correspond to the detailed information provided in your resume/application.

QUESTION 4

Describe your experience preparing meals in a high volume and fast paced environment, such as a cafeteria. Please include the following details in your response: your experience including setting, types of meals, and number of people served. (Please include employment dates.)

QUESTION 5

Describe your role and responsibilities as a lead/supervisor providing direction, training, and assigning and monitoring work, the number of years' experience, and the number of people you led/supervised.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Eduardo Gonzalez at Eduardo1.Gonzalez@sanjoseca.gov

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

Closing Date/Time: 1/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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