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Coast Guard Cook Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

American Cruise Lines

Executive Sous Chef

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$62K - $80K/yr

... cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * An effective leader who can effectively control his/her time management. * Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills. * US Coast Guard ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Sous Chef

Norfolk, VA

$62K - $80K/yr

... cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * An effective leader who can effectively control his/her time management. * Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills. * US Coast Guard ...

All JobsCoast Guard Cook JobsCoast Guard Cook Jobs in Virginia

Coast Guard Cook information

See Virginia salary details

$8

$15

$21

How much do coast guard cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for coast guard cook in Virginia is $15.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.37 and $17.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to be a cook in the Coast Guard?

To become a Coast Guard cook, applicants must meet basic enlistment requirements, complete basic training, and then attend culinary training at the Coast Guard's culinary school. Prior experience in cooking, food safety certifications, and the ability to work in a maritime environment are beneficial. The role involves preparing meals for personnel aboard Coast Guard vessels and stations, often requiring adaptability and teamwork.

What's the hardest job in the Coast Guard?

The Coast Guard cook faces challenging conditions, including working in confined spaces, long hours, and handling high-pressure situations during emergencies. The role requires adaptability, resilience, and the ability to prepare meals in remote or harsh environments, making it physically and mentally demanding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Coast Guard Cook position, and why are they important?

A Coast Guard Cook must have strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety protocols, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and relevant food handler certifications is typically required. Attention to detail, adaptability, teamwork, and the ability to work well under pressure are key soft skills in this role. These abilities are vital to ensuring nutritious, safe, and timely meal preparation for Coast Guard personnel, especially in demanding maritime environments.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Coast Guard Cook?

Coast Guard Cooks are responsible for planning, preparing, and serving balanced meals for crew members onboard ships or at shore facilities. Their daily tasks include menu planning, managing food inventory and supplies, maintaining cleanliness and food safety in the galley, and sometimes training or supervising assistants. They often work closely with other crew members to accommodate dietary needs and support overall morale by providing nutritious, enjoyable meals. The role involves working a set schedule—often in shifts—and demands flexibility, as cooks may need to prepare meals during irregular hours or under challenging sea conditions.

What is a Coast Guard Cook job?

A Coast Guard Cook, also known as a Food Service Specialist, is responsible for preparing meals for crew members aboard Coast Guard vessels and shore stations. They ensure that personnel receive nutritious and well-balanced meals, manage food supplies, and maintain kitchen equipment. Cooks follow military food preparation standards, adhere to sanitation regulations, and may also assist with budgeting and inventory. This role is essential for maintaining crew morale and operational efficiency.

What is the $65000 bonus for the Coast Guard?

The $65,000 bonus for Coast Guard cooks is a recruitment incentive offered in certain enlistment programs to attract qualified candidates. It is typically paid upon completion of training or after a specified period of service and is part of the overall compensation package for enlisted personnel. This bonus helps offset the costs of training and encourages enlistment in the Coast Guard culinary specialty.

How much does a Coast Guard cook make?

A Coast Guard cook earns an annual salary typically ranging from $40,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, rank, and duty station. They are responsible for preparing meals for personnel aboard Coast Guard vessels and stations, often working in a structured military environment with specific certifications required.
What are the most commonly searched types of Coast Guard Cook jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Coast Guard Cook jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Coast Guard Cook jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Coast Guard Cook jobs in Virginia are:
Coast Guard Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Coast Guard Cook job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,054 per year, or $15.9 per hour.

Cook-05 INT - 6725

Coast Guard Community Services Command

Yorktown, VA • On-site

$20.82/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

OMB NO: 1625-0120

Expiration Date: 01/30/2025


Announcement: 6725

Opening Date: 24 April 2026 Pay Plan/Series/Pay Band: NA-7404-05

Closing Date: Until Filled Work Schedule: Intermittent (0-19 hours/week)

Position: Cook-05 Salary: $20.82/hour

Who May Apply: All Sources Location: Yorktown, VA

MWR Em Club Mess

DUTIES:

Prepares and cooks a variety of menu items such as hamburgers, grilled sandwiches, eggs, quick meals, cold sandwiches and salads. Operates a variety of kitchen equipment which utilizes gas, electricity, steam, or microwave heat sources. Grills or frys steaks, chops, poultry, pancakes, bacon, sausage, etc., by watching while the items are cooking, turning as required and removing when done. Prepares and cooks fresh, frozen or canned vegetables and fruits for serving as directed. Prepares desserts, juices, and other items as directed by higher-grade cooks. Places cooked food in serving dishes, steam carts and food trucks Maintains rotation of food inventories to prevent spoilage. Maintains proper temperature for all foods during holding, transport, reheating, and serving to assure quality control and food safety. Covers, dates and properly stores all food items at the close of business or shift. Verifies and stores food supplies properly. May be required to assist with monthly and mid-monthly food and beverage products inventories.


Maintains assigned area in a neat and orderly manner and in compliance with fire, safety, sanitation and security regulations. Cleans and maintains equipment and work areas. Disassemble and assemble component parts and accessories for cleaning, and follow safety procedures regarding the operation of equipment to avoid personal injury or damage to the equipment. Clean and use a variety of cooking utensils required to measure, weigh, and process food items. Clean, store, and maintain all kitchen utensils and clean and maintain all equipment and work areas after each use practicing a "clean as you go" concept. Removes soiled dishes, glasses, and flatware from tables and carries to dishwashing area. Cleans tables of paper, other trash, or soiled linen, salt, pepper, sugar, glasses, and flatware; serves butter, salads, and deserts as instructed. Scrapes and pre-rinses dishes, glasses and flatware for washing. Separates food waste and trash. Loads dishes into dishwasher. Hand washes dishes. Stacks and stores clean dishes. Perform various other cleaning tasks (e.g., walls and ceilings, floors, work tables, and walk-in refrigerators) following an established cleaning schedule.


May carry out bar related duties such as filling ice bins, replacing empty beer kegs, stocking beer coolers. Helps set up service bars and portable bars.


Other duties as assigned.


You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications below. Your resume/application must demonstrate the required experience/education. Please see additional information on how your application is evaluated.


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Minimum:

1. Experience in methods and procedures relating to food preparation, presentation, reading and following recipes.

2. Experience following oral and written instructions and performing simple arithmetic.

3. Must be physically able to frequently lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Must be able to continuously stand, walk, stoop, reach, push, pull and bend for long periods of time.

4. Must be able to obtain a Food Handler's Certificate and/or complete food handler's training.

Preferred (in addition to the minimum):

  1. One year or more of experience as a cook in food preparation, presentation, reading and following recipes gained in a grill, snack bar, restaurant, club or similar food activity.


USCG COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMAND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS:

By choosing to work for the Coast Guard Community Services Command, you will enjoy one of the best benefit packages available anywhere. Benefit offerings are subject to applicable worker categories (Full-time, Part-time, Intermittent), location, position, and length of time in service.


  • Paid Annual and Sick Leave
  • Holiday Pay
  • Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
  • Flexible/Dependent Spending Account
  • Pension Plan
  • 401k Savings Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Short Term/Long Term Disability
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Paid Parental Leave

OTHER ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:

  • Residency Requirements: Non-U.S. nationals, who are authorized to work in the U.S. and applying for any DHS position, must have resided within the United States, or U.S. territories, for at least three of the last five years.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer as the Standard method of payment for payroll and travel purposes.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless covered by an exemption under the Selective Service Law, in accordance with 5 U.S. Code 3378. Selectee will be required to provide a written statement regarding his registration status unless he is exempted by this statute.
  • Must satisfactorily complete a Federal Background check and all pre-employment requirements, which may include, but are not limited to, background checks, security clearances, drug testing, verification of employment history, and any other requirements applicable to this position. Additionally, you may be required to meet specific job-related qualifications or certifications as a condition of your employment.
  • Applicants may not be employed in the chain of command of their relatives.
  • This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.


HOW TO APPLY

Additional Information on how you will be evaluated:

Your resume or application must clearly demonstrate the required experience and/or education. Experience includes both paid and unpaid work, such as volunteer service through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, community, student, social, committee, sports, or internships). Volunteer work can help develop essential skills, competencies, and leadership experience that may translate directly to paid employment. Your resume is the primary tool used to assess your qualifications. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to provide clear, specific, and detailed descriptions of your experience.


You MUST submit a resume or any other written format in English of your choice. It is recommended the resume clearly identifies: (1) The announcement number, title and pay band of the job you are applying for, and, (2) Information such as full name; mailing address; country of citizenship (U.S. Citizenship required OR valid authorization to work in the US); highest Federal grade or NAF pay band held with job series, title, and dates held (if applicable); a statement requiring proof of veterans’ preference by means of DD 214; education; and relevant work experience including start/end dates, supervisor’s name and phone number, salary and title, series and grade if experience was with a non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Federal government. You should also include a copy of your most recent performance appraisal if you are a current Federal or NAF employee. Applications may not be sent in franked Government envelopes; applications filed in this fashion will not receive consideration. If information is not complete, you may be excluded from consideration. The first application and/or resume submitted for a specific requisition will be considered the only submission. Any duplicate submissions to the same requisition will not be considered. The application date will be used in determining these factors.

Outside Candidates: To apply, please visit our website at https://shopcgx.com and click on “Careers” at bottom of the page. Internal Candidates: Sign into ADP Workforce now. Click on Myself/Talent/Career Center. Search by location or Job Title for:


Cook-05 INT – 6725

Yorktown, VA, US

Equal Employment Opportunity: All candidates will be considered without regard to any non-merit factor such as race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or marital status.

PRIVACY ACT NOTICE

Authority: The U.S. Coast Guard rates applicants under the authority of Title 5 of U.S. Code, Sections 301, 1104, 1302, 2103, 3301, 3304, Executive Order 9397, and Departmental Regulations.

Principal Purpose: To collect information needed to determine how well an applicant’s education and work experience qualifies them for the job they are applying for.

Routine Use: This information provided will be shared with the hiring manager and interview panel members. It may also be shared in response to a request for discovery or for appearance of a witness, information that is relevant to the subject matter involved in a pending judicial or administrative proceeding.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to disclose the requested information may result in an applicant not receiving consideration for a position in which the information is needed.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to this information unless it displays a current valid OMB control number and an expiration date. The control number for this collection is OMB 1625-0120, expiration 01/30/2025. The estimated average time to complete this application is 40 minutes. If you have any comments regarding the burden estimate you can write to U.S. Coast Guard, Community Services Command, 510 Independence Parkway, Suite 500, Chesapeake, VA 23320.