Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, SC

10d

About The Position

This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cutoff date for referring eligible applications is on or about November 10, 2026; applicants may be referred on an as-needed basis thereafter. The announcement is scheduled to remain open through April 27, 2027, but may be extended. Vacancies may not currently exist at all advertised locations but could arise before the closing date. Applicants will be notified when referred.

The Food Service Worker performs food preparation and service duties, including setting up stations, portioning food, assembling patient trays, serving dining areas, delivering trays to patients, and assisting cooks. The position also includes reading menus and diet instructions and performing cleaning duties in food service areas.

Work schedules are 5:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. The schedule may change based on agency needs. Work is performed in kitchen areas that may be uncomfortably hot and humid due to cooking and dishwashing equipment. The work involves standing and walking continuously, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending, and lifting or moving objects weighing up to 20 pounds frequently and over 40 pounds occasionally with assistance. Heavy tasks may include scrubbing large cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts or trucks.

Applicants must meet federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship except where policy permits otherwise, suitability based on a background investigation, and other stated pre-employment requirements. Selected applicants must complete a one-year probationary period. No specific length of training or experience is required, but applicants must demonstrate sufficient training or experience to perform the work. There is no education qualification requirement.

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 knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties.
• Meet the prescribed screen-out element and demonstrate the relevant 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.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Be suitable for federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions must submit to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusing testing results in denial of employment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Complete a one-year probationary period and receive written certification for continued employment.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel must receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain a medical or religious exemption; those with an exemption must wear a face mask.
• Meet all application requirements stated in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Set up the assigned station with the correct supplies and food items.
• Portion food into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and specified dishware.
• Select and place the correct items on patient trays.
• Determine appropriate food items for common diets and identify obvious discrepancies between prescribed diets and menu items.
• Set up dining room tables, place food and beverages, and replenish items as needed.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides and report patient comments and complaints to a supervisor or dietitian.
• Assist cooks with food preparation, including weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients according to standardized recipes.
• Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads and dressings, sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches, and simple cold desserts.
• Read and interpret regular or modified menus, individual diet cards, tray tickets, or patient selections.
• Perform heavy-duty cleaning throughout food service and related areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive range of benefits; specific eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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