Food Service Worker

Full Job Description

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Medical Center in Baltimore MD.

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.

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? 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.

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest.

The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing.

As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care Major Duties:

Major Duties: - Set up assigned station with the correct supplies and food items - Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on customers' /patients' /residents' plates - Break down and clean the station when assigned - Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary - Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room - Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides and report the patients' comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian - Prepare beverages according to the number of servings required - Prepare fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts in specified quantities - Sort, wash, peel and cut cold foods using knives or other equipment - Provide assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes - Prepare uncooked food items, such as sandwich spread and salad dressings - Operate and break down and clean all equipment assigned to food service and related areas - Portion food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware - Prepare boxed/to go meals - Select and place correct items on patient trays - Read and interpret a regular or modified menu, individual diet cards, tray tickets or patient selections - Identify obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu - Decide what food items to serve for the most common diets - Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas - Separate food waste, trash/recyclables from dishes, glasses and silverware - Unload food/tray delivery carts - Store sanitized dishes, glasses and silverware - Scrape, soak, scour, and scrub cookware and utensils - Move garbage cans when collecting and transferring trash from the work area to the disposal area - Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Rotating shifts in 3 week cycle with rotating days including weekends holidays.

Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99920S Physical Requirements: Work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity.

Performs work requiring light to moderate physical.

May be required to perform heavy work, such as scouring and scrubbing large size cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing, and delivering supplies.

Subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending.

Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.