We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.
Required Qualifications - YOU MUST:
- Be able to read a recipe, follow it like a champ, and maybe even make it better.
- Have spent at least 2 years in a professional kitchen or similar food service role.
- Be a strong communicator—able to clearly share information through conversation, instruction, and written notes.
- Know how to manage resources like a pro—whether it’s time, tools, or ten pounds of potatoes.
- Work well with other and enjoys being part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications - YOU SHOULD HAVE:
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- Culinary certifications such as Food Handler, Food Manager, Allergen Awareness, ACF Certified Culinarian, etc.
- Professional cooking experience that includes:
- Prepping hot and cold dishes to impress even the toughest critics
- Making plates look as good as they taste
- Using every cooking method under the sun—roasting, sautéing, braising, you name it
- Comfort with all types of kitchen tools—from sauté pans to stand mixers
- An eagerness to learn and grow—and a desire to help others do the same in the kitchen.
- A solid understanding of food safety, sanitation, and hygiene, including safe ingredient storage and proper cooking temperatures.
BONUS POINTS IF YOU:
- Have a degree or diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Nutrition & Wellness, or a related field.
- Genuinely love to cook—and it shows.
- Arrive excited to work, ready to create something good (and good for others).
- Care about people, believe in equity and fairness, and want your work to actually mean something.
- Show up with humility, respect, and an open heart for all backgrounds and life stories.
- Are dependable and self-motivated—you get things done without someone watching over your shoulder.
- Can speak a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).
Who we are (and why you'll love us)...
We’re
YSS – one of Iowa’s oldest and largest nonprofits dedicated to uplifting youth and putting kids first. Our mission? To spark hope, create opportunities, and help young people thrive through education, counseling, and support that actually makes a difference. With a passionate, diverse leadership team and our brand-new, 50-acre recovery campus,
we’re growing fast and thinking big. We're not just keeping up with the times – we're shaping the future of care for youth and families in Iowa. Want to know more about our mission and all the awesome things we’re up to? Visit
yss.org!
At YSS, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion – we live it, celebrate it, and grow from it every day. We believe the best teams are made up of all kinds of people, with all kinds of perspectives. That’s what makes us strong, creative, and downright awesome. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we’re all about creating a space where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to succeed – no matter your background, identity, or hairstyle. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is woven into everything we do, and we’re always working to do better, together.
YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.
Heads Up! Don’t Miss Our Messages! - Most of our communication with applicants happens through email – straight from our Paycom system. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox (and maybe your spam/junk folder too, just in case our message took a detour). Got questions about your application or just want to say hi? Shoot us an email at
recruitment@yss.org - we’re happy to help!
The YSS Hiring Process
- Apply – Fill out the online app at yss.org/ysscareers.
- Assessment – We’ll check out your skills and experience.
- Interview – Phone, video, or in-person – we’ll chat and get to know you.
- References – Send us three+ people who can sing your praises.
- Screening – Background and driving checks (plus license verification if needed).
- Offer – If it’s a match, you’ll get a formal offer through Paycom.
* Applicable Degrees: Adolescent Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Education, Family Science, Family Studies, Human Services, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Youth Development, Youth Services
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