Cook

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

"Join our team and honor Wisconsin's veterans."

The Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove (WVHUG) is currently recruiting for three full-time and one part-time Cook 1 or 2 positions. The positions will be filled at the 1 or 2 level, depending on candidate qualifications. The Home is a 24/7/365 long-term-care facility that provides comfort, support, and professional healthcare services to elderly or disabled veterans and their spouses. Our facility is in Racine County, a short drive from Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and other key locations in southeastern Wisconsin.

This list of eligible candidates created from this announcement may be used to fill future similar vacancies (permanent, project or limited term) in the next six months within WDVA.

WDVA employees have access to an excellent benefit and compensation package that includes:

• Substantial leave time including 9 paid holidays and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• Wellness and Employee Assistance programs
• The Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

To learn more about State of Wisconsin's complete compensation package, please visit the Total Rewards Calculator

Follow the link to see a video highlighting what working for the State of Wisconsin is all about

This agency is committed to serving Wisconsin's veteran population. Our rewarding positions offer the satisfaction of serving those who have served us all.

The state of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.

Position Summary

Want to apply your cooking skills to provide delicious and nutritious meals to Wisconsin veterans?

Cook 1: This entry-level position performs quantity cooking for the Veterans Home. Cooks at this level receive training in nutrition, cooking techniques, food quality, safety and sanitation. The position prepares and monitors high-quality food items, using appropriate methods to preserve nutrient content and produce an appealing flavor and appearance, proper texture and consistency. Prepares entrees, sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts and other foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner for general and modified clinical diets. Also guides the work of food service assistants.

Click the link to view a copy of the full job description.

Cook 2: This objective-level position independently performs the same functions as Cook 1. The incumbent applies expertise in nutrition, cooking techniques, and food quality, safety and sanitation standards and is responsible for maintaining compliance with these standards. The position also guides the work of team members at the Cook 1 level.

Click the link to view a copy of the full job description.

Salary Information

Starting wage for Cook 1 is $19.05 per hour, with additional compensation earned for weekends, nights, holidays, and overtime.

Starting wage for Cook 2 is $20.55 per hour, with additional compensation earned for weekends, nights, holidays, and overtime.

Positions at both levels are eligible for an attractive employee benefits package.

The Cook 1 position is in pay schedule-pay range 03-10 and the Cook 2 position is in pay schedule-pay range For current State employees, pay on hire will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

Job Details

The full-time positions work 8-hour shifts, 40 hours per week, every other weekend.

The part-time position works 8-hour shifts; 24-32 hours per week, every other weekend.

Hours of work is between 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (e.g. 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.). Incumbent must work varying hours, extra hours, and/or overtime as required. Ability to volunteer for additional shifts.

Job duties require the ability to perform work that is medium to heavy in nature; push carts weighing up to 500 pounds; lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds; stand and/or walk, up to 100% of an eight-hour shift; twist, stoop, bend, reach, climb stairs, and move in tight spaces between hot and moving equipment; perform tasks requiring manual dexterity; and distinguish colors, taste and smell. (These physical requirements cover the major and essential job function demands of the position but are not necessarily representative of all duties to which this position may be assigned to perform.)

Due to the nature of the positions, WDVA will conduct background checks on applicants prior to an offer of employment.

Employment in this position is contingent upon passing a pre-employment tuberculosis (TB) skin test.

A 12-month probationary period is required.

Qualifications

Required qualification that will be reviewed in the first step of the process is havingexperience in:

• Food preparation and general cooking

In addition to the qualification reviewed in the first step of the process, qualifications that will be reviewed in the next steps are experience in:

• Following food safety and sanitation standards*
• Following and using recipes, units, and measurements*
• Communicating as a member of a team*
• With quantity cooking
• With independent time management/workload planning
• Using standard recipes and adjusting recipes
• Interpreting and preparing therapeutic diets
• Completion of a food safety training course (e.g. ServSafe Certification)

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are the minimum requirements.

How To Apply

You must apply online on WiscJobs. Click the link to view instructions for Applying to State Service.

You will be required to attach a resume. A cover letter is optional. To make it easier to apply, save your documents on WiscJobs before attaching them with your application.

Your resume must describe your education, training, and experience related to the required qualification listed in the "Qualifications" section of the job announcement. Click the link to view tips for writing and what to include in your resume and letter of qualifications.

NOTE: Applicants cannot update or change their documents once their application is submitted. Make certain that your attached documents are how you want them to be before you click Submit.

Current permanent, classified State employees, who are eligible for transfer or demotion into a position assigned to pay schedule-pay range 03-10 or 03-11 should complete the online application process.

What happens next? Your application materials will be reviewed to decide if you move to the next step. If you are eligible to move to the next step, you will be emailed at the email address you gave in your application. Make sure your contact information is correct and check your messages regularly. Not completing all parts of the application will mean you are not eligible to move to the next step.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30%-or-greater, service-connected disability rating, Veterans Non-competitive Appointment (VNCA). Click the link to view more information on the VNCA process and to apply for eligibility verification. Veterans that have applied and been verified through the VNCA job posting, Job ID 3375, should email the contact below and mention your eligibility and interest in the position. Current state employees in permanent positions are not eligible for non-competitive appointment.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without WDVA sponsorship) at the time of application.

Have questions? Contact Billi Williams, Human Resources Specialist-Senior, or

Deadline to Apply

All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Pay: $ $20.55 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person