Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Canandaigua, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This Food Service Worker position is within Nutrition & Food Service (NFS) at the VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, New York. The role independently performs work requiring proficiency in special procedures and broad knowledge of food service operations, including food and beverage preparation, modified diets, computer use, dishwashing, storage, and safety and sanitation.

The position works in kitchen functional areas such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving line. It includes preparing and serving food for patients, assisting cooks, checking diet trays, and performing cleaning duties. The work schedule is 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Work takes place in kitchen areas that can be hot, humid, and noisy. Floors may be slippery, and workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp blades, hot surfaces, and temperature changes when entering refrigeration or freezing units. The role involves light to moderate physical effort, with some heavy tasks.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Pre-employment physical is required.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• No specific length of training or experience is required, but applicants must demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; supporting details must be included on the resume.
• Must meet the screen-out element and demonstrate applicable job elements: 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.
• Work requires continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending.
• Frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.

Responsibilities

• Set up and break down an assigned station with the correct supplies and food items.
• Portion food into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and specified dishware.
• Select food items for common diets when the 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 food items designated by the menu.
• Assemble, measure, weigh, or mix ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental feedings according to standardized recipes and sanitary techniques.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides and report patient comments and complaints to a supervisor or dietitian.
• Assist cooks by assembling, labeling, and arranging completed recipe items for use.
• Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads and dressings, sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches, simple cold desserts, and individual and bulk nourishments and supplement foods and beverages for patients.
• Make a final check of 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 tasks throughout food service and related areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to prior request and approval; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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