Line Cook

okgov; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Line Cook position at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs supports a 5-star dining experience for veterans, ensuring meals meet taste, nutrition, and diet-specific requirements while adhering to safety regulations.

You will work in a high-volume kitchen, perform on-site skill demonstrations, and collaborate with the dietary team to meet individual diet orders and quality standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current ServSafe Food Handler certification.
• Must pass the OK-Screen background check per OSDH.
• Minimum of 2 years cooking in healthcare or high-volume settings.

Responsibilities

• 5-Star Culinary Production: follow recipes, season, and plate meals to high standards.
• Therapeutic accuracy: prepare therapeutic diets per prescriptions and IDDSI textures.
• Follow standardized recipes and portion controls for consistent meals.
• Survey readiness & safety: maintain survey-ready workstation and proper temperature controls.

Skills

Culinary skills

Food safety

English communication

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

IDDSI standards

Safety compliance standards

Job description

Job Posting Title

Line Cook

Agency

650 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Supervisory Organization

Lawton/Ft. Sill Veterans Home

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank. Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date

Continuous if Blank

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

USD $17.18/HR

Job Description

Position Summary

The Line Cook is the heart of our kitchen, responsible for preparing high-quality, nutritious meals that provide our veterans with a 5-star dining experience. This role requires a blend of culinary skill, efficiency, and passion. You will ensure that every meal, whether a standard dish or a therapeutic diet, is prepared to the highest standards of taste and presentation while strictly adhering to Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), CMS safety regulations and US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Required Qualifications & Certifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Food Safety: Current ServSafe Food Handler certification.
• Compliance: Must pass the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) required criminal background check via the OK-Screen system.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience as a cook in a healthcare setting OR a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with IDDSI standards for texture-modified diets (mechanical soft, pureed) and OSDH Title 310 Chapter 675 regulations.

Selection Process: "The Kitchen Audition"

We hire for skill and passion.

1. Stage 1: Initial interview regarding your culinary background, reliability, and commitment to veteran care.
2. Stage 2 (The Demonstration): Candidates who pass the first interview will be invited to a paid on-site skill demonstration. You will perform a real-life cooking demonstration, showing your ability to follow a recipe, manage timing, maintain a clean station, and plate a 5-star meal.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. 5-Star Culinary Production
   1. Quality & Taste: Prepare meals that exceed "nursing home" expectations, focusing on seasoning, freshness, and eye-appealing presentation.
   2. Therapeutic Accuracy: Prepare specialized diets (e.g., low-sodium, renal, or thickened liquids) exactly as prescribed. Must be proficient in IDDSI consistency standards to ensure resident safety.
   3. Consistency: Follow standardized recipes and portion controls to ensure every veteran receives a consistent, high-quality meal.
2. Survey Readiness & Safety
   1. USDVA & CMS Standards: Always maintain a "survey-ready" workstation to ensure the facility passes all annual USDVA and OSDH inspections.
   2. Temperature Control: Record food temperatures at the time of completion and throughout service. Ensure hot foods are held at 135°F or above and cold foods at 41°F or below per Oklahoma Health Code.
   3. Sanitation & Infection Control: Maintain a sanitized work area. Strictly follow cross-contamination prevention protocols (separation of raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods).
3. Kitchen Operations & Teamwork
   1. Fast-Paced Service: Execute meal service with restaurant-level efficiency to ensure food is served hot and on time.
   2. Inventory & FIFO: Alert the Dietary Manager when supplies are low and ensure proper "First-In, First-Out" (FIFO) rotation of all ingredients.
   3. Communication: Work closely with the Dietary Manager and nursing staff to accommodate special resident requests or changes in diet orders. Candidates must possess sufficient proficiency in the English language to perform the essential functions of the position.
   4. Performs other related duties as assigned consistent with the responsibilities of the position and agency operations.

Education and Experience

• 2+ Years Professional Cooking
• ServSafe + Local County Food Permit
• Knowledge of IDDSI / Therapeutic Diets CMS / OSDH Regulations
• Paid On-Site Skill Demonstration

Physical Requirements

• Endurance: Ability to stand for long shifts (8+ hours) and work in a high-temperature environment.
• Strength: Ability to lift to 50 lbs. (large stock pots, ingredient crates).
• Agility: Ability to reach, bend, and move quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Special Requirements

Some agencies may have determined positions in this job family to be safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.