Cook

Full Job Description

This Cook position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Medical Center in Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VHA).

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

This position has a sequence of steps that require attention to work operations, sanitation and safety.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

Perform a full range of simple cooking which entails the preparation and cooking of meals that require little or no processing such as hot cereals, concentrated of dehydrated soups, sauces and gravies.

Grills eggs, hamburgers, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; broils meats; makes cold sandwich filling and assembles a variety of sandwiches.

Weighs, measures, assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets. Follows sanitary food handling procedures; covers, labels and dates.

Cleans, stores and maintains all kitchen utensils, equipment and work areas practicing a "clean as you go" concept. Rotates and stores perishable and non-perishable items according to service polices.

Maintain accurate food inventories. Monitor and maintain proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling and shelving to ensure adequate air flow.

Work Schedule: Full-Time 05:00am - 01:30pm OR 10:30am-7:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99819S Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Performs work in areas of extremes of temperature.

Work is carried out in kitchen/dish room areas that are often hot, uncomfortable and noisy.

Environment includes exposure to extreme cold while working in walk-in refrigerators and freezers for extended periods of time.

Is exposed to steam, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation. Is subject to hazards of cuts, bruises, strains, burns and falls in kitchen environment.

Uses strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions which may frequently be skin and respiratory irritants. Performs work in patient care settings where there may be exposure to contagious disease.

May have contact with patients who demonstrate verbally and/or physical aggressive behavior. Required to were proper hair covering and clean uniform.

Wear disposable gloves when handling food for service and proper protective equipment when completing cleaning activities.