Demo

Cook 1

State of Iowa - Executive Branch
Eldora, IA Full Time
POSTED ON 9/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/1/2026
Job Description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of State Training School (STS) is seeking a Cook 1 to join our team! This is a full-time opportunity with 40 hours per week typically consisting of a rotating schedule 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with some weekends and overtime. We also offer opportunities for advancement, growth, and development.

Responsibilities

This Cook 1 provides leadership and structure through regular role modeling skills in areas of language, behavior, and attitude. This position helps provide three balanced school nutrition approved meals to young men at STS and includes the following skills and responsibilities:

  • Understand and execute oral and written instructions, recipes, menus, labels, etc. and respond by communicating clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
  • Use computer and chosen facility software in sharing information with various staff.
  • Smell to distinguish smoke, burning food, etc.
  • Perform all cooking duties while following all cooking and Safety and Sanitation procedures.
  • Drive a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver’s license.
  • Organize, coordinate, and effectively mentor the work of new staff, temp staff, and students.
  • Work in all kitchen environments and conditions.
  • Perform all kitchen functions: bending, squatting, lifting, operating equipment, manipulating kitchen utensils and small equipment with hands, walking up and down stairs and ramps, and standing for long periods of time.
  • Make calculations rapidly and accurately.
  • Work with cleaning supplies and chemicals.
  • Follow orders and directives and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate tact and diplomacy with staff and students.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Report to the work site regularly and on time to fulfill the duties outlined in this document and others as necessary.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

STS offers a holistic social, behavioral, psychiatric, academic, and vocational program that utilizes evidence-based practices to provide a secure setting, rooted in treatment, for males ages 12 to 18 years old who have been adjudicated delinquent. STS provides individualized treatment plans and offers comprehensive education with the goal of successfully transitioning young men back into the community. If you enjoy rewarding yet challenging work and helping young men find stability in their lives and security in their future, this is this the right job for you. Your work at STS has the potential to help pull these young men together and change their futures. For more STS info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/state-training-school

Benefits Of Joining STS

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
  • Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
  • Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
  • Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
  • Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.
  • Free On-Campus Workout Facilities

For Additional Information On Benefits Click Here .

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Working at STS comes with a special perk! This location offers access for staff to the impressive on-campus gym during off student hours. This includes 3 full size basketball courts, two fully stocked weight rooms with machine and free weights, showers, and lockers. We also provide a cardio room for staff only featuring exercise mats and advanced treadmills and stationary bikes. Usage of these resources is completely free for all STS staff.

Eldora Highlights

STS is located in Eldora, a quaint community with a population of approximately 2,800 residents, located in north central Iowa. Eldora is an Iowa River Greenbelt Community and the Iowa River Greenbelt Scenic Drive winds through a picturesque landscape of valleys, woods, and streams. With easy access to the Iowa River and Pine Lake, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, hunting, and fishing, as well as the many educational opportunities, cultural activities, and entertainment events nearby, including a picturesque 9-hole golf course surrounded by Pine Lake State Park.

Eldora is 45 minutes away from Ames and Cedar Falls, 30 minutes from Marshalltown, and only 20 minutes from Iowa Falls. Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, is just 1 hour and 15 minutes away.

  • Ames, Iowa is the home of Iowa State University, featuring one of the nation’s premier Engineering schools and leading Veterinary and Agricultural programs. https://www.iastate.edu/
  • Cedar Falls is the home of the University of Northern Iowa, https://uni.edu/
  • Iowa Falls is the home of Ellsworth Community College. https://ecc.iavalley.edu
  • Des Moines has one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to the Iowa Cubs, Casey’s Center (host site of NCAA Basketball, premier concerts), and Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest skatepark.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

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 .

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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .

Salary.com Estimation for Cook 1 in Eldora, IA
$34,524 to $43,779
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