Cook

State of Wisconsin; Union Grove (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time and holidays

Health plan options

Pension with 7.2% match

Flexible spending accounts

Well Wisconsin Wellness Program

Employee assistance program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The Department of Health Services (DHS) Southern Wisconsin Center (SWC) in Union Grove is hiring a full-time Cook. The role includes early morning shifts, weekday hours with every-other weekend rotation, and differential pay for weekend and overnight hours.

A $3,000 sign-on bonus applies to certain new hires and probation is 12 months. Benefits are comprehensive, including generous leave, health plans, pension with employer match, and flexible spending accounts.

Qualifications

• Training or experience in a professional kitchen or restaurant setting with sanitation standards.
• Ability to work in a team environment and follow written and oral instructions.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and varied shifts as scheduled.
• Experience with institutional or large-scale food service is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, distribution, and storage of food items per State requirements.
• Work with nutrition information, cooking techniques, food safety, and sanitation guidelines.
• Support on the Tray Line and guide coworkers as needed for food preparation.

Skills

Food safety

Team player

Flexible hours

Follow instructions

Job description

Introduction

The Department of Health Services (DHS) Southern Wisconsin Center (SWC) is recruiting to fill a full time Cook position. SWC is located in Union Grove.

The shift available is Monday through Friday, 5:45am - 2:15pm with a rotation that includes every other weekend. An $.80 per hour weekend differential will be paid for all weekend hours worked and an additional $.80 for any hours worked between 6pm – 6am.

SWC is a state operated Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. SWC provides a wide variety of programs and services designed to assist and prepare individuals to live successfully in the setting that best meets their needs. SWC brings together a rich history and state of the art treatment approaches for the new millennium. Click here to see what working at SWC is all about!

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll also have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time; limitations may apply for leave time usage in the first six months.
• Top rated health plan options starting at $47/month for single plans and $117/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service.
• Exceptional pension plan with a 7.2% employer match in 2026 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High-Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

Position Summary

As a Cook At SWC, You Will

• Assist in the preparation, identification, distribution, and storage of fresh, frozen and canned food items according to State Requirements.
• Work with nutrition information, cooking techniques, food safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Assist in food preparation for special diets and may guide the work of coworkers while assisting on the Tray Line as needed.

Salary Information

The starting salary is $19.44 plus excellent benefits. This position is eligible for an additional $0.80 for hours worked between 6 pm to 6 am, and a weekend differential of $0.80 for hours worked between midnight Friday to midnight Sunday. A 12-month probationary period is required.

A $3,000 sign-on bonus applies to those with no prior state service in the last five years and must stay with SWC in the position until completing probation. Bonus will be split, $1,500 upon hire and $1,500 after completing probation.

Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. This position is classified as a Cook 1 and is in pay schedule and range 03/10.

Job Details

All applicants who may be appointed to this position will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.

All appointees will be required to receive a TB test, which will be administered by SWC or medical personnel approved by the facility prior to their start date.

This position has physical requirements which may include but are not limited to lifting up to 50 lbs to shoulder height, climbing ladders, bending, twisting, reaching, kneeling, stooping, standing, sitting and working on feet for extended periods of time. Applicants may be required to pass a physical evaluation to assess these requirements.

DHS does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. DHS is not an E-Verify employer nor a STEM-OPT eligible employer.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have both of the following:

• Training or experience working with food in a professional kitchen or restaurant setting. This includes maintaining basic sanitation and safety standards.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work scheduled hours, which include weekends, holidays, early morning or early evenings, and overtime as needed.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and accept work assignment changes as assigned by manager (e.g. cleaning, prepping, stocking, storing groceries, etc.).

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following

• Experience cooking in an institutional setting (e.g. hospital, long-term care facility, school, prison, etc.).
• Experience with specialized diets, such as pureed, ground, soft bite.
• Knowledge of food allergens.Experience using institutional cooking equipment (e.g. combi ovens, steam kettles, tilt braisers, meat grinders, etc.).
• ServSafe certified or a comparable certification.

Your resume is limited to one (1) page. For a guide on developing your resume and what should be included, click here.

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affiliated Action employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s Affairs, click here.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is August 17th by 11:59 pm.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.