Description

Cook 1

Would you like to only work 4 days a week? Then these Cook 1, Full Time, Permanent positions here at the beautiful Walla Walla Veterans home in scenic Walla Walla, Washington is for you! There are only 2 spots open, so apply soon!

Please Note: The expected hours are 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday through Tuesday, and 6:00 am to 1:30 pm on Wednesday, with Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday off!

• This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.

Here at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to honorably discharged veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.

In this culinary role, you'll be responsible for assisting with the preparation of meals served to residents. This includes preparing all of the modified textured foods for the meals prepared when on shift and distributing food in a safe and sanitary manner.

Cultivate your culinary career and put your customer service skills to work by serving America's heroes!

Duties

Some of what you will be doing:

• 
  Assisting with the preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner meals.
• Preparing food for approximately 20 residents, staff, and visitors.
• Assisting with preparation activities to ensure the preparation of sufficient quantities of regular and modified diet food.
• Ensuring all special items required by residents are prepared.
• Utilizing batch cooking techniques to assure maximum freshness and quality of product. Monitor all food items prepared for acceptable quality. Report need for modification to recipes or production methods as necessary.
• Assuring food items are kept safe by monitoring storage methods, food production and holding temperatures, cooling process and reheating is completed per regulations.
• Regularly checking refrigeration units for outdated products.
• Maintaining accurate food inventory records, quality assurance records, production records, prep sheets, and PM cooler temperatures.
• And more!

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 
  High School Diploma or GED.
• Current, Valid Washington State Food Handler's Permit.
• Ability to lift/push/pull frequently up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 70 pounds.
• One (1) year of experience in large scale food preparation or cooking.

Please Note:
Completion of course work, and/or military training in large scale food service preparation may be substituted month for month for the required experience. (If you qualify by completion of a course in large-scale cooking, please attach a transcript showing your completed coursework when applying).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree or certificate in Culinary Arts.
• Serve Safe certified.
• One (1) year of experience in a geriatric and/or healthcare institutional setting.
• Knowledge of therapeutic diet planning; preparation and serving of special diets; sanitary methods of food handling.

Supplemental Information

Application Process:

The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• State employees must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified at New Employee Orientation.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must comply with health screening requirements by undergoing a tuberculosis skin test.
• Must be able to maintain current CPR/First Aide certification.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information please contact us at: recruiters@dva.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.