WYCA Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
State of Washington
StalePosted Nov 1
⚠ Possibly Stale
Posted: October 14, 2025 (93 days ago)
Added to FreshGovJobs: December 5, 2025 (41 days ago)
This job has been posted for over a month. It may already be filled.
WYCA Cook 2
State of Washington
Military Department
Job Description
Summary
This job is for a skilled cook at the Washington Youth Challenge Academy, where you'll prepare meals, lead a team of young cadets in kitchen tasks, and work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
It's a great fit for someone with cooking experience who enjoys mentoring youth and working in a supportive team environment focused on building character.
The role offers premium pay for on-site work and shift differentials, along with solid benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
Key Requirements
- Experience in skilled cooking and food preparation
- Ability to lead, assign, instruct, and supervise cadets in kitchen duties
- Availability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
- Strong organizational skills for managing meal production
- Ability to work under the supervision of a Food Service Manager
Full Job Description
The Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy has a permanent job opportunity for a Cook2. This position works under the supervision of the Food Service Manager 2 and performs skilled cooking duties and leads food preparation. Regularly assigns, instructs and checks the work of students (Cadets) including during non-traditional hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Come join our amazing Dining Facility Team!
This position is eligible for on-site, 24/7 facility premium pay of 5%, as well as shift differential pay for applicable shifts.
Click on the video below to see some of our amazing Cadets!
This job posting will remain open until filled and may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Screening of application materials will begin immediately and will be on-going. It is in the applicants' best interest to submit their application materials as early as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. This job posting may be closed at any time without notice.
What makes WYCA a great place to work?
- Work that matters-building character, enriching lives!
- Leadership that empowers and supports employees
- A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.
- Agency provided uniform
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
- Support for employee growth and development
- Tuition Discount! Washington State Employees are eligible for a 10% tuition discount with Western Governors University (WGU) for Bachelor's & Master's Degree programs in Business; Information Technology; Healthcare and Education.
About the Washington Military Department and the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy
The mission of the Military Department is to provide trained professionals and operational forces who are ready to defend our state and nation, respond to emergencies and disasters, and enhance resiliency in communities through structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.
Who we are:
The WYCA was established under the authority and guidelines of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. This is a voluntary program which includes a 22-week residential phase followed by a 24-month post-residential phase. The purpose of the program is to provide a highly disciplined, safe and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational levels and become responsible and productive Washingtonians. The National Guard Challenge Program is one of the most successful alternative education programs designed for high school dropouts or youth that are not progressing in a traditional high school setting and has graduated over 215,000+ Cadets to date.
To learn more about the Youth ChalleNGe Program and the Washington Military Department visit http://mil.wa.gov.
Requirements
Some of what you'll be doing:- Utilizing menus and recipes provided by the Food Service Manager 2, work proficiently and independently to prepare, cook and serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, sack lunches and snacks for Cadets and staff.
- Participate in food inventory, delivery and storage as well as the cleaning of the kitchen and equipment to ensure that standards of sanitation and safety are met.
- Lead and instruct Cadets in general cooking, baking, meat cutting, and food preparation and service; evaluate Cadets on performance, progress and attitude; oversee apportionment and method of food service in dining areas.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Possession of, or eligibility for, a Washington State Food Worker Card (Also known as Food Handler's permit), High school graduation or GED equivalent
AND
One years' work experience with food preparation or cooking
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience
Working with at-risk youth.
Experience
Working with at-risk youth.
Additional Information
COMPENSATION: Wage/salary will depend on qualifications or rules of promotion.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT- Routinely work a 40-hour work week as scheduled to provide ongoing customer and program support.
- Carry items up to 50 pounds on a regular basis and between 10 to 20 pounds frequently to receive, stock, inventory, rotate and utilize bulk food supplies. Daily lifting of heavy pots and pans, weighing up to 50 pounds, from stoves/ovens.
- Bend, stoop, reach and work in awkward positions in order to prepare food and clean, maintain and sanitize a broad array of commercial food preparation equipment.
- Stand for an extended duration of time, up to 8 hours, to prepare and serve food to students and staff.
FOOD WORKER'S CARD (Also known as Food Handler's Permit)
Furnish and maintain a current Food worker's card on file at the WYCA obtained through the Washington State online training program.
BACKGROUND CHECK:
Must successfully complete a pre-employment personal history and criminal background check investigation, which includes fingerprinting. The background check is required for all employees of the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy due to the nature of these positions (working with vulnerable youth) and the safety requirements of the job.
Applicants are required to complete and sign a WMD Applicant Background and Disclosure Statement and a Waiver and Authority to Release Information Form. Candidates will not have access to any investigative materials and files.
Must be willing and able to participate in periodic background checks in accordance with department policy. Failure to successfully complete any required background check may be cause for termination.
DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING AND USE:
Willing not to use or be in possession of illegal narcotics or controlled substances while on, or off duty.
Willing and able to be free from excessive alcohol consumption.
Willing and able to pass drug testing requirements, including pre-employment (to include testing when employees change job classifications due to promotion or transfer or there is reasonable suspicion).
WYCA CAMPUS:
Ability, willingness, desire and commitment to work with all at-risk youth in a 24/7 highly structured residential setting requiring extensive interaction and contact with at-risk youth and parents who may be disgruntled, angry, disrespectful (use of profanity, name calling, etc.), depressed and at times confrontational.
The WYCA campus is a tobacco, vaping, alcohol, drug and weapons free facility. Weapons and alcohol are not permitted anywhere on campus when employees are on or off shift. This includes any alternate duty station or in employee vehicles. Use of tobacco and/or vaping products is not permitted anywhere within the confines of the Youth Academy (to include alternate duty stations) or in the view of Cadets when performing off campus duties and responsibilities.
Individuals working with at-risk youth in a residential setting are subject to safety and security surveillance.
Must be willing to work in and around military facilities and programs.
TRAVEL/TRAINING/POLICIES:
Must complete annual first aid and CPR training/re-certification.
May be required to occasionally attend routine events, meetings or training at other locations. On rare occasions, travel in and out of the state for up to one week at a time.
Must comply with Department policies and procedures governing workplace conduct.
SHIFT WORK:
Position is subject to shift work and incumbent must be willing to work beyond established core hours/days when necessary to accomplish program activities and requirements, including responding to emergency situations in a reasonable amount of time when they involve Cadet health, safety, or security.
Duty will include periodic weekends and nights depending on program activities and requirements, including responding to emergency situations in a reasonable amount of time when they involve Cadet health, safety, or security.
HANDS-OFF LEADERSHIP & APPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS GUIDANCE:
Must be willing and committed to following the NGYCP-CA Hands-Off Leadership and Appropriate Relationships Guidance, recognizing that as a staff member of the Washington Youth Academy, our positions have implied authority over Cadets, regardless of their residential or completion status. This policy prohibits staff members from touching Cadets in an aggressive or harassing manner or in any way inappropriate to a professional mentoring relationship. Hands-Off Leadership prohibits staff members from using unprofessional language, including profanity, vulgarity or off-color jokes when interacting with, correcting or motivating Cadets.
Must be willing to follow directives and law pertaining to Hands-Off Leadership, Fraternization, Mandatory Reporting, and Appropriate Relationships. The uncompromising expectation for behavior in word and deed on the part of staff is nothing less than complete transparency and total professionalism.
DRIVER'S LICENSE:
Must possess a valid license to drive in the State of Washington.
Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act to enter Washington State Military Department installation.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following:
1. A Current application profile
2. Response to the Supplemental Questionnaire
3. A list of three professional references
Please include two current/past supervisors, one peer or one subordinate, if applicable. For each reference, please include the following: Name, Professional Title, Working Relationship, Daytime Phone Number and Email Address.
If you have any questions about the application process or this recruitment, please contact Patricia Acoba at 360-473-2622 or patricia.acoba@mil.wa.gov.
Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your email contacts to ensure emails sent to advise you of the status of your application do not get sent to your junk mailbox.
The Washington Military Department is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email: patricia.acoba@mil.wa.gov; Call: (360) 473-2622, or 711.
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