Cook

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service of a Veteran Affairs Medical Cent.

Nutrition and Food Services is responsible for providing meals and nutritional care to Veteran patients at the Medical Center.

The primary purpose of the Cook, WG-04, is to prepare nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans.

The position has a sequence of steps that require attention to work operations, sanitation and safety; work assignments may require knowledge and judgment.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position.

Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire.

Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated.

The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Work Practices Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Major Duties:

Major Duties: Sets up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenishes items as necessary.

Identifies obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu.

Uses knowledge of sanitation standards, such as the need to keep wiping cloths in sanitizing solution and maintaining proper water temperature standards when cleaning dishes.

Prevents contamination by cleaning equipment previously used for raw food. Takes nourishment inventories, stocking using first in-first out procedures, replacing expired.

Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area including assembling, labeling and arranging completed recipe items in preparation for use.

Verifies that food items on trays are appropriate for the prescribed diet.

Prepares fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts in specified quantities.

Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes.

Prepares uncooked food items, such as sandwich spread and salad dressings.

Follows directions in assembling, measuring, weighing, or mixing ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental feedings following standardized recipes and using sanitary techniques.

Prepares beverages according to the number of servings required.

Decides what food items to serve for the most common diets when the diet card or tray ticket identifies only the kind of diet called for Provides patients with basic information about modified diets and the nutrition services that are available.

Determines the quantities of ingredients needed to prepare the required yields using arithmetical computations using decimals, fractions, and percentages.

Sorts, washes, peels and cuts cold foods using knives or other equipment. Sets up assigned station with the correct supplies and food items.

Operates and breaks down and cleans all equipment assigned to food service and related areas, Makes precise measurements and accurately weighs recipe ingredients for special feedings.

Scrapes, soaks, scours, and scrubs cookware and utensils. Sterilizes equipment and sanitizes work areas. Returns soiled trays and dishes to the dish room. Breaks down and cleans food stations.

Performs heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas. Unloads food/tray delivery carts.

Moves garbage cans when collecting and transferring trash from the work area to the disposal area. Delivers meal trays.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts 5:00 Am - 6:30 PM, includes weekends and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99819S Physical Requirements: Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department.

The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.

The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless.

With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.