JAIL COOK

Salary: $56,929.60 - $74,006.40 Annually
Location : Reno, NV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 60002242 (10/2024)
Department: Sheriff's Office
Opening Date: 10/17/2024
Closing Date: 11/7/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Position Information
Under supervision, coordinates the preparation of meals for inmates of the Washoe County Detention Center; and performs related work as required.
This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill a current full-time vacancy in the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at
Minimum Qualifications
Two years of cooking experience in a commercial kitchen OR equivalent training and experience.
License Or Certificate
ServSafe class will be provided to the incumbent prior to the end of the probationary period. ServSafe Certification must be obtained and maintained for continuous employment in this classification.
The Ideal Candidate
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is seeking a trustworthy individual who is interested in working in a detention facility setting and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those we serve. The ideal candidate has experience cooking in large quantities, practices kitchen safety and must also have the ability to supervise and work with inmates in a secure environment. This candidate should possess an excitement and passion for cooking, supervising, and teaching while showcasing an understanding of safe food handling and sanitation practices. In addition, the ideal candidate is a good communicator, able to provide and receive verbal instructions successfully in an active environment. They will also need to clear an extensive Sheriff's background investigation that includes but is not limited to criminal history, credit check, drug use and character assessment.
Conditions of Employment
The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Non-Supervisory covers the Jail Cook position.
Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
After the interview, top candidates must pass a background investigation which includes:

• Submit a set of fingerprints
• Complete and submit a personal history statement
• Pass a Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) examination

Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.
Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.
What Happens Next
1. After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications.
2. If you have met the minimum requirements, you will receive an additional email inviting you to schedule your Jail Cook exam. If you do not receive an invitation to schedule your exam within (5) days of the scheduled exam date, please contact You will receive an initial confirmation email once you have selected an exam date and time. In addition, you will receive a follow up email before the exam date with further details related to the examination process.
This exam is tentatively scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. **You will be notified if you are eligible to transfer an exam score prior to the exam date.
This exam will be administered and proctored in Reno, NV on the above scheduled date and you must be present to test.
The exam will be 100% written multiple choice and will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Preparation of Food on a Quality Basis
• Cooking Terminology
• Methods of Food Preparation
• Care and Use of Kitchen Equipment and Utensils
• Health Hazards and Sanitary Practices
• Inventory Practices and Procedures
• Work Direction and Supervision

Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates. Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived. Only those candidates in attendance or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.
3. After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank. This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy.
4. Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates. If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available.
5. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and click on "Applications" to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment. In addition, you can also click on "Inbox" to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment. If you have any updates to your contact information after your application is submitted, please contact
If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process you can find additional information at the following link:
Questions: Alicia Agrella
775-328-6383
Veteran Point
Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission.
Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.
Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.

• Nevada PERS Retirement - Washoe County pays 100% of the PERS contribution for each benefit eligible employee.
• Health, Dental, Life and Vision Insurance - Washoe County contributes 100% of the premium for each employee. Washoe County also contributes 50% of the premium for dependent coverage. Note: New employees are automatically enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account. Washoe County contributes up to $2,500 annually (based on benefit effective date and coverage tier) into the employee's Health Savings Account (HSA). Newly hired employees become eligible for health benefits after 30 days of employment. Benefits Link -
• Deferred Compensation plans available
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Accrual (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)
• Sick Leave (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)
• Longevity Pay
• Merit Increases - Full-time employees eligible to receive an annual merit increase of 5% until the position classification's maximum salary is reached.
• Cost-of living adjustments - historical annual COLA increases for 2017-2024 have ranged from 2.5% - 5.0%
• There are no Social Security deductions (although a 1.45% deduction for Medicare is required)
• Nevada does not have state or local income tax*