Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Big Spring, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This Wage Grade 4 Food Service Worker position is located within Nutrition & Food Service at the West Texas VA Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas. The position independently performs food service duties requiring proficiency in special procedures and broad knowledge of service operations, including food and beverage preparation, modified diets, computer proficiency, dishwashing, dry and refrigerated storage, and safety and sanitation.

The work schedule is 5:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. or 11:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Shifts rotate and include weekends and holidays, with two consecutive days off. The position provides coverage as needed. Physical work involves light to moderate effort and may include heavy tasks such as scrubbing large cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts or trucks. The worker stands and walks continuously and frequently stoops, reaches, pushes, pulls, and bends. They frequently lift or move objects up to 20 pounds without assistance and occasionally move objects over 40 pounds with assistance.

Applicants must demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required. There is no education qualification requirement. Employment is subject to federal suitability requirements, a one-year probationary period, and applicable VA health care personnel influenza vaccination requirements.

Requirements

• Demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Provide detailed resume descriptions supporting the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties.
• Meet the job's screen-out element and demonstrate relevant competencies, including dexterity and safety, interpreting instructions and specifications, materials, technical practices, using and maintaining tools and equipment, working without more than normal supervision, and work practices.
• Be a U.S. citizen, unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be suitable for federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification and application documents.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Receive an annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain a medical or religious exemption; employees with an exemption must wear a face mask.

Responsibilities

• Set up and break down the assigned station with the correct supplies and food items.
• Portion food items into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and specified dishware.
• Select food items for common diets when a diet card or tray ticket identifies only the type of diet.
• Provide patients with basic information about modified diets and available nutrition services.
• Identify obvious discrepancies between prescribed diets and menu-designated food items.
• Assemble, measure, weigh, or mix ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental feedings using standardized recipes and sanitary techniques.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides and report patient comments and complaints to a supervisor or dietitian.
• Assist cooks with assembling, labeling, and arranging recipe items for use in food preparation.
• Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads and dressings, sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches, simple cold desserts, and individual or bulk nourishments and supplemental foods and beverages for patients.
• Check diet trays assembled by lower-grade workers for completeness and correct food temperatures.
• Work in kitchen functional areas including food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving line.
• Perform heavy-duty cleaning throughout food service and related areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Potential credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, if requested and approved before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed