Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

19d • Onsite

About The Position

Wage Grade 3 Food Service Workers perform tasks involving several steps or a sequence of tasks that requires attention to work operations. The role supports food preparation, meal service, tray delivery, and cleaning in a Medical Center food service operation. Work is scheduled Thursday through Monday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The position is identified as Food Service Worker/PD99920S.

The work requires light to moderate physical effort, with occasional heavy work such as scrubbing large cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts or trucks. Employees stand and walk continuously and frequently stoop, reach, push, pull, and bend. They may work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds without assistance and occasionally handle objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.

Work takes place in kitchen areas that can be uncomfortably hot and humid due to cooking and dishwashing equipment. Areas are well-lighted and often noisy, and floors may be slippery. Workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot surfaces, and temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.

Requirements

• Evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to demonstrate the ability to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Qualifications and experience must be supported by detailed descriptions on the resume.
• Meet the prescribed 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.
• U.S. citizenship is required; non-citizens may be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must complete a one-year probationary period and receive written certification for continued employment after the period.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza program is required for covered Health Care Personnel: receive annual vaccination or obtain a medical or religious exemption; a face mask is required when an exemption is granted.

Responsibilities

• Set up the assigned station with the correct supplies and food items.
• Serve food cafeteria-style in uniform portions on customers', patients', or residents' plates.
• Break down and clean the assigned station.
• Set up dining room tables, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as needed.
• Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides and report patient comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian.
• Prepare beverages according to the required number of servings.
• Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads, dressings, sandwich fillings, cold sandwiches, and simple cold desserts in specified quantities.
• Sort, wash, peel, and cut cold foods using knives or other equipment.
• Assist cooks with food preparation, including weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients according to standardized recipes.
• Prepare uncooked food items, such as sandwich spread and salad dressings.
• Operate, break down, and clean assigned food service and related-area equipment.
• Portion food into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware.
• Prepare boxed or to-go meals.
• Select and place the correct items on patient trays.
• Read and interpret regular or modified menus, individual diet cards, tray tickets, or patient selections.
• Identify obvious discrepancies between prescribed diets and food items designated by the menu.
• Determine which food items to serve for the most common diets.
• Perform heavy-duty cleaning throughout food service and related areas.
• Separate food waste and trash or recyclables from dishes, glasses, and silverware.
• Unload food or tray delivery carts.
• Store sanitized dishes, glasses, and silverware.
• Scrape, soak, scour, and scrub cookware and utensils.
• Move garbage cans while collecting and transferring trash from the work area to the disposal area.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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