Position Title:Cook I
Job Group:Merit
Required Minimum Qualifications:- Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
Preferred Qualifications:Possession of industry-recognized food safety and sanitation certifications, such as ServSafe or equivalent
Previous experience in a commercial kitchen or food service setting
Job Description:
Join Our Culinary Team at Iowa State University!
Are you passionate about cooking and ready to build your skills in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment? ISU Dining is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our Cook I staff across multiple dining locations on campus. Whether you’ve worked in food service, hospitality, or customer-facing roles, this is a great opportunity to grow your career in a supportive and dynamic environment.
What You’ll Do
+ Prepare and serve meals using recipes and standard cooking techniques appropriate to each setting
+ Cook food for various dietary needs by following specific guidelines
+ Safely manage food and supply inventory, including storage, labeling, tracking, and usage records
+ Train and assist student or support staff on daily tasks
+ Maintain a clean kitchen and follow safety and sanitation protocols
+ Contribute to a positive, reliable, and team-oriented work environment
What You’ll Get
+ Health, vision, and dental insurance starting your first day
+ Competitive retirement options with generous university contributions
+ Paid time off, sick leave, and holiday pay – Enjoy Holidays OFF!
+ A free meal with every shift worked
+ A consistent schedule to support work-life balance
Why ISU Dining?With over 25 campus dining locations, ISU Dining offers a wide range of food venues and service styles. We focus on fresh food, friendly service, and creating an environment where employees can learn, grow, and thrive.
Want to Learn More?
Click HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yST28baXcK0) See our team in action and a few of the ways you can contribute to our dynamic team!
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
+ Prepares and cooks meats, fish, vegetables, gravies, cereals, soups, fruits, bakery products and other forms of food.
+ Prepares and cooks food for special diets from recipes formulated by qualified personnel.
+ Assists in on-the-job training and assist in directing the work of food service workers, students and other employees within area of assignment.
+ Assists in the preparation of salads and desserts.
+ Notifies supervisor of food and supplies needed.
+ Checks in food and supplies as necessary.
+ Maintains food production records.
+ Cleans kitchen, kitchen utensils and equipment; secures refrigerator and freezer.
+ Serves food as required.
+ Maintains maximum standards of sanitation and safety.
+ Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
+ Ability to judge final food product for quantity (yield) and quality (color, taste, texture, etc.).
+ Ability to determine the freshness and quality of raw and cooked food products by sight and taste.
+ Knowledge of safe temperatures for serving food and storage of refrigerated and frozen storage of raw and cooked foods.
+ Knowledge of principles of food sanitation, health hazards, and the necessary precautionary measures.
+ Ability to stand for long periods of time.
+ Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
+ Ability to provide on-the-job training in food preparation to lower level employees.
+ Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:0004a
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application.
Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
+ Resume
+ Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
+ Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
+ Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
+ Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
+ Life insurance and long-term disability
+ Flexible Spending Accounts
+ Various voluntary benefits and discounts
+ Employee Assistance Program
+ Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: June 20, 2025
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R17283
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university’s Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
