Cook 1

WDVA Cook 1, On-Call, Walla Walla Veterans Home

Here is a great chance to get your foot in the door as a State Employee! Serve those who served - bring your culinary skills to our Walla Walla Veterans Home and make every meal a moment of care and comfort! Our team is excited to announce we are now accepting applications for our On-Call, Cook 1 position at the Walla Walla Veterans Home!

Please note: This position is On-Call. “On-call” is defined as positions where the work is intermittent in nature, is sporadic and does not fit a particular pattern. On-Call employees are utilized to support operational staffing needs. Shifts for on-call staff are scheduled on a rotational basis. The on call expectations for this position requires that staff be available to work as needed, with a minimum availability of three shifts per week, on two different shifts. This position is noteligible for telework.

*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.

Updated as of July 1, 2025: This position is eligible for "Supplement Basic Shift Premium" for 24/7 Facilities. Employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location will receive an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour of supplemental basic shift premium for each hour of basic shift premium. This shift premium does not apply to overtime hours. The supplemental basic shift premium shall expire on June 29, 2027.

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 nearly 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 Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star.

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

Duties

Some of what you'll do:

• Responsible for preparation of all meals on days assigned.
• Prepare food for residents and staff and visitors at times.
• Assure that preferences (when reasonably possible) and therapeutic diets are always adhered to.
• Utilize preparation activities and batch cooking techniques.
• Monitor all food items prepared.
• Assure food items are kept safe.
• Assure clean as you go methods are followed.
• And so much more!

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid Washington state food worker card (obtained from https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/).
• Ability to push/pull up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 70 pounds.
• Minimum 12 months experience in large-scale food preparation or cooking. Completion of course work, and/or military training in large scale food preparation may be substituted month for month. (If you qualify by completion of a course in large-scale cooking, then please attach a transcript showing your completed coursework when applying).
• Must be proficient in English language.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired:

• Degree or certificate in culinary arts.
• ServSafe certification.
• One year of experience with geriatric population and/or healthcare institutional setting.
• Possess an understanding of professional boundaries.
• Valid driver's license.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check prior to beginning services and every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. 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 annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.

• Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.

• Employee must be able to push or pull with sufficient strength and walk, sit, and bend in an unrestricted manner during the entire workday.

• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and be willing to work frequent week and evening outreach events.

• Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service, and other required training.

• Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.

• Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.

• Must maintain a valid Washington state food worker card.

• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.

• Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

• Supplemental Information

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