Cook 1

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Woodward Resource Center (WRC) is seeking a Cook 1 to join our team! This is a full-time position with a schedule comprised of variable 8-hour shifts between 6:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m., including some weekends, and opportunity for advancement, growth, and development. As a Cook 1, you'll play a pivotal role in our Nutrition and Supply Services Department. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to take on a rewarding position, this could be the perfect job for you!

What You’ll Do

As part of the WRC team, you'll play a crucial role in our mission by providing essential food service support to individuals at our facility.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Preparation of delicious and nutritious meals for up to 500 individuals.
• Following recipes to prepare a variety of menu items, including entrees, vegetables, baked goods, and salads, utilizing commercial food service equipment.
• Adapting food textures to meet the needs of individuals with dysphagia, ensuring everyone can enjoy their meals safely and comfortably.
• Ensuring food is prepared and served at the appropriate temperatures to meet food safety standards.
• Completing necessary record-keeping tasks such as temperature logs and recipe feedback.
• Serving food with care and attention to detail.
• Monitoring and maintaining food temperatures while adhering to safe food handling techniques.
• Contributing to a clean and sanitary kitchen environment through daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning tasks.

Key Competencies:

• Knowledge of sanitary methods and personal hygiene standards applicable to institutional food service operations.
• Ethical conduct, honesty, and integrity in all interactions and tasks.
• Customer service orientation with a polite, courteous, and cooperative approach to meeting the needs of our residents.
• Initiative and commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and professionalism.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

WRC prepares and supports individuals to live in the community of their choice. This facility is a great place to develop or continue your healthcare career if you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work, supporting individuals by working as part of their interdisciplinary team, and helping to develop person-centered Individual Support Plans to meet specific support needs, preferences, and goals. The facility provides a range of services that include being an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IID), daily supported community living, consultations/training, behavioral health services, physical nutrition management, and community residential-based guidance in learning prosocial behavior and personal accountability. For more info about WRC: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/woodward-resource-center

Benefits of Joining WRC

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For additional information on benefits click here.

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Woodward Highlights

Woodward is a city of approximately 1,300 located in central Iowa. The High Trestle Trail begins here and boasts 25 miles of paved surface running through five towns and four counties in the heart of Iowa. The trail includes an iconic, 1/2-mile, 13-story high bridge across the Des Moines River valley, one of the largest trail bridges in the world. The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is just a quick drive away offering more trails, scenic overlooks and other amazing natural features. 

Woodward is about 30 minutes away Ames, home of Iowa State University. Des Moines, Iowa’s capitol city, is also about the same distance away and home to Casey’s Center (host site of NCAA Basketball and premier concerts) and Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest skatepark. Additionally, Des Moines hosts one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to professional sports teams the Iowa Cubs, Iowa Wolves, Iowa Barnstormers and Iowa Wild. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa. 

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.