Cook Coordinator Jobs

Join a team with a national reputation for excellence! Our mission is to serve Minnesota Veterans and their families. We do this by delivering quality health care, helping to secure benefits, and providing programs and services in higher education, claims, burials, outreach and Veterans’ preference. At the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), we not only consider it our duty to provide the highest level of care to those who answered our nation's call, we believe it is an honor.

MDVA recognizes that a culturally competent workforce is critical to meet the needs of all Minnesotans. MDVA is committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at our workplace to support employees as they grow in their careers with the State of Minnesota.

Working Title: Cook Coordinator
Agency: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Veterans Affairs Dept / Vets Home-Montevideo
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
• Telework Eligible: No
• Division/Unit: Montevideo Veterans Home / Food & Nutrition Services
• Travel Required: No
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 203 - Service/AFSCME
• Salary Range: $20.02 - $27.60 / hourly; $41,801 - $57,628 / annually
• Closing Date: 08/21/2023
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Days of Work: Varies, including every other weekend
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / Work Hours Vary
• Classified Status: Classified
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Date Posted: 08/07/2023

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

It pays to consider a rewarding career with the Minnesota Veterans Home in Montevideo! You may be eligible for a new hire bonus of $2,500! Earn a competitive wage, have affordable and comprehensive insurance benefits, a retirement plan, paid time off, and more!

The new Minnesota Veterans Home-Montevideo is scheduled to open in fall 2023! We are seeking a Cook Coordinator to assist in leading our Food & Nutrition Services team.

Responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining an adequate inventory of food and supplies consistent with the menu and periodic automatic replacement (PAR) levels by preparing, receiving, and storing orders and documenting required information.
• Preparing food following standard recipes and procedures that conserve nutritional value and meet residents’ dietary needs.
• Serving as a liaison with food and supply vendors by communicating needs and concerns; addressing issues such as damaged products and credits; researching new products for menus; and special event planning.
• Maintaining sanitation standards to ensure safety of residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Directing/guiding staff activity to ensure foods are prepared and served following establish standards of the Food and Nutrition Services department, in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume/application clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below, and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• One year of experience as a cook* in a large restaurant, cafeteria, nursing home, hospital, school, or equivalent experience in large volume cooking and food preparation. (*Note: Completion of a 9-month or longer vocational/technical school program in commercial cooking, food service management, hospitality, culinary arts, or related program may substitute for six months of experience.)
• Current ServSafe Food Manager Certification (or equivalent) OR the ability to obtain certification during the probationary period by successfully completing MDVA’s training program.
• Knowledge and skills in quantity food preparation, cooking, presentation, serving and storage.
• Leadership, interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to effectively direct, guide and support other staff in daily food service operations.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations pertaining to food preparation, storage, and cleaning in a public food service setting.
• Ability to estimate food quantities and needs and keep accurate, current food records.
• Skills in using computer programs and software, such as Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using an electronic menu system and/or supply ordering system, such as PointClickCare Nutrition Management, Matrix, Gerimenu, or MealSuite.
• Two or more years of experience as a cook in a large restaurant, cafeteria, nursing home, hospital, school, or equivalent experience in large volume cooking and food preparation.
• Experience and skills in determining and maintaining an adequate and organized inventory of food and supplies.
• Current ServSafe Food Manager Certification or MN Department of Health Food Protection Manager Certification.
• Skills in menu planning and recipe development.
• Completion of a 9-month or longer vocational/technical school program in commercial cooking, food service management, hospitality, culinary arts, or related program.
• Experience directing the work of others in a large food service setting.
• One or more years of experience as a cook in a nursing facility setting.

Additional Requirements

• A Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) background check will be conducted on finalists for this position. Finalists must pass the DHS background check.
• A Tuberculosis (Mantoux) screening (or chest x-ray) is required prior to employment.
• Employment reference checks will be conducted on finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and contact with the applicant's former employer(s).

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Dawn Gregoire at [email protected] or 320-979-1883. If you were referred to apply by a current Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ employee or State of Minnesota employee, please provide the employee’s name in the Referral Source section of your application. The employee who referred you may be eligible for a $1,000 bonus!

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Dawn Gregoire at [email protected].

Per M.S. 43A.111, MDVA will give priority consideration to certain qualified disabled Veterans. To be considered, you must be included on a US armed forces permanent disability list with a disability rating of at least 30% or been rated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as having a compensable service-connected disability of at least 30%. Official written documentation of this disability dated no more than one-year preceding the date of application must be submitted. Please email the documentation, your DD214, and the job posting ID number to Dawn Gregoire at [email protected] no later than the job posting closing date.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• 12 paid holidays each year
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Training and professional development
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Public pension plan
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Prescription drug coverage
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Dependent care spending account
• Paid parental leave

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.