Cook 1 - Iowa Veterans Home

Cook 1 Position at Iowa Veterans Home

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 * National Choice option also available
• Monthly optional Dental Insurance Premium for 2026: Single: Free Family: $48
• 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

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

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

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.