Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Hampton, VA

21d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Food Service Worker at the Hampton VA Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia. The worker performs food preparation, meal service, sanitation, and related duties for patients and dining areas. Duties include preparing and portioning foods and beverages, assisting cooks, assembling and checking diet trays, delivering meals and nourishments to patients, and maintaining equipment and work areas. The role requires following standardized recipes and sanitary procedures, taking inventories, and applying first-in, first-out stocking practices.

The position is subject to a one-year probationary period. Applicants must meet federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship unless an exception applies, suitability requirements, and applicable drug testing. Annual seasonal influenza vaccination or an approved exemption is required for covered health care personnel.

Requirements

• Evidence of training or experience sufficient in scope and quality to demonstrate the ability 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 applicable U.S. citizenship requirement; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Meet suitability requirements for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must submit to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing testing results in denial of employment.
• Complete required onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Complete a one-year probationary period and receive written certification for continued employment.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Covered health care personnel must receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain a medical or religious exemption; employees with exemptions must wear a face mask.
• Demonstrate the job-related competencies evaluated, including dexterity and safety, interpreting instructions and specifications, materials, technical practices, using and maintaining tools and equipment, and work practices.

Responsibilities

• Break down and clean assigned stations.
• Set up dining room tables, place food and beverages, and replenish items as needed.
• Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room.
• Deliver meal trays to patients and report comments or complaints to a supervisor or dietitian.
• Prepare beverages according to required serving quantities.
• 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 by weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients according to standardized recipes.
• Prepare uncooked food items, including sandwich spreads and salad dressings.
• Operate, break down, and clean assigned food-service equipment.
• Portion food items into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and dishware.
• Prepare boxed or to-go meals.
• Check diet trays assembled by lower-grade workers for completeness and correct food temperatures.
• Verify that tray items are appropriate for prescribed diets and identify obvious discrepancies with the menu or diet prescription.
• Select foods for common diets when a diet card or tray ticket identifies only the type of diet.
• Distribute menus and surveys to patients.
• Provide patients with basic information about modified diets and available nutrition services.
• Prepare individual and bulk nourishments and supplemental foods and beverages for patients.
• Assemble, measure, weigh, or mix ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental feedings using standardized recipes and sanitary techniques.
• Determine ingredient quantities needed for required yields and convert between metric and standard systems.
• Take nourishment inventories, stock items using first-in, first-out procedures, and replace expired items.
• Label and distribute individual nourishments.
• Sterilize equipment and sanitize work areas.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may offer 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