Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

21d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a WG-4 Food Service Worker in Nutrition and Food Service at the Indianapolis VAMC, a level 1a complexity VHA facility. The position independently performs duties requiring proficiency in special procedures and broad knowledge of food service operations, including food and beverage preparation, modified diets, computer proficiency, meal order receipt and entry, dishwashing, storage, and safety and sanitation.

The work includes preparing and serving food, assembling and checking diet trays, assisting with food preparation, and working in kitchen areas such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, storage, receiving, and the serving line. The employee also performs cleaning and sanitation tasks and delivers meal trays to patients.

The work schedule is 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends and holidays. Work is performed in kitchen areas that may be hot, humid, noisy, and slippery, with exposure to hot liquids, sharp blades, hot surfaces, and temperature changes in refrigeration or freezing units. The job requires continuous standing and walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending, and lifting or moving items weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and heavier items with assistance.

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 the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the position's duties.
• Meet the position's screen-out element and applicable OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
• 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.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Complete the required online onboarding and pre-employment identification and application requirements.
• 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 the assigned tray-line station with the correct supplies and food items.
• Portion food items into standard serving sizes using the 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 the 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 patients' comments and complaints to a supervisor or dietitian.
• Prepare beverages according to the number of servings required.
• Assist cooks by weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients according to standardized recipes.
• Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads, dressings, sandwich fillings, cold sandwiches, and simple cold desserts in specified quantities.
• 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, receiving, and the serving line.
• Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout food service and related areas.
• Label and distribute individual nourishments.
• Sterilize equipment and sanitize work areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, and applicants should contact the hiring agency for details.
• VA may approve credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval must be requested before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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