Are you ready to take your cooking experience to the next level? We have a great opportunity, with the open positions of Cook 1, On-Call, here at the beautiful Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, Washington!

• 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.

Some of what you will be doing:

• 
  Assisting with the preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner meals using batch cooking techniques to ensure freshness and quality.
• 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.
• 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• Regularly checking refrigeration units for outdated products.
• Cleaning and sanitation duties in assigned area.
• Maintaining accurate food inventory records.

Required Qualifications:

• 
  Two years of experience in large scale food establishment.

• Associate's Degree in food service management, nutritional care or a related field.
• One year of food service supervisory experience.
• Valid state driver's license.

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

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:

• Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated no later than October 18, 2021. 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.
• Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety & Act standards.

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.