Cook 1 - Iowa Veterans Home Marshalltown - 50158 - Marshall County

Iowa National Guard; Marshalltown, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Retirement IPERS

Wellness Program

Job summary

The Iowa Veterans Home is seeking a Cook 1 to support meal preparation and food production. The role will back up Cook 2, prep in advance for upcoming menus, and ensure proper portioning using IDDSI methods.

The successful candidate will document temperatures, follow safety audit tools, and assist in other food service areas as needed. This is a full-time position with benefits and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional setting.
• Ability to follow IDDSI guidelines and use volume technique for portioning.

Responsibilities

• Serve as backup to Cook 2 and prepare food in advance for upcoming menu items.
• Modify IDDSI items using Volume Technique for accurate portions.
• Document food temperatures and use IDDSI audit tools to meet safety standards.
• Work in other food service areas throughout the department.

Job description

The Iowa Veterans Home is now accepting applications to fill a Cook 1 position.

This position will serve as the backup to the Cook 2. The successful candidate will cut, chop, dice and prepare food in advance to accommodate upcoming menu items. Modify IDDSI food items using Volume Technique method for accurate portioning and follow temperature reheating requirements. Document food temperatures and use IDDSI audit tools to meet safety standards. Work in other food service areas throughout the department.

What we offer as a full time Iowa Veterans Home employee:

• Team oriented, positive work environment
• Opportunity for professional growth and development
• Paid time off (sick leave and vacation) plus nine paid holidays per year
• Medical and Dental Insurance Benefits:

Monthly optional Medical Insurance Premium (Iowa Choice*) for 2026:

• Single: $64/mo = employee share; $836/mo = state share
• Family: $210/mo = employee share; $1,896/mo = state share

Monthly optional Dental Insurance Premium for 2026:

• Single: Free
• Family: $48

**All applicants are subject to a Criminal Background Check Dependent Adult Abuse and Child Abuse Check.

• Optional flexible spending accounts for health and dental expenses, and dependent care
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost
• Exceptional retirement package: IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System)
• Optional 401(a) Plan with employee contribution: The State makes match contributions into the employee’s selection of investments in a 401(a) employer match account. The match is $1 for every $1 contributed up to a $75 monthly maximum.
• Lactation rooms throughout our campus
• Wellness Program: Onsite fitness center available to staff 24/7 for only $36 per year

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.

Experience equal to one year of full-time quantity food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional setting;

OR successful completion of a military, vocational, or community college program in commercial cooking;

OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to six months of full-time work as a Food Service Worker.