Food Service Worker - Department of Veterans Affairs : Job Details

SummaryThis position is in Nutrition & Food Services, Birmingham, Alabama Veterans Health Care System. The primary purpose of the Food Service Worker is to support the food service operations provided to Veterans. Work is performed in one or more functional areas such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving area.Learn more about this agencyHelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates08/28/2024 to 09/06/2024This job will close when we have received 55 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more* Salary$18.66 - $20.66 per hour* Pay scale & gradeWG 3* HelpLocation1 vacancy in the following location:* Birmingham, AL 1 vacancy* Remote jobNo* Telework eligibleNo* Travel RequiredNot required* Relocation expenses reimbursedNo* Appointment typePermanent* Work scheduleFull-time* ServiceCompetitive* Promotion potentialNone* Job family (Series)* 7408 Food Service Working* Supervisory statusNo* Security clearanceOther* Drug testNo* Position sensitivity and riskNon-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk* Trust determination process* Suitability/Fitness* Financial disclosureNo* Bargaining unit statusYes* Announcement numberCBTB-12519480-24-SA* Control number807006700HelpThis job is open to* Internal to an agencyCurrent federal employees of this agency.* Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)Federal employees who meet the definition of a surplus or displaced employee.* Federal employees - Competitive serviceCurrent or former competitive service federal employees.Clarification from the agencyFirst Consideration will be given to current permanent employees of VA Birmingham Health Care System (Birmingham, Alabama), Second consideration will be given to Veterans Health Administration current permanent employees Federal employees in the Competitive Service and Career Transition Assistance program (CTAP) eligible. This job will close when we have received 55 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.VideosHelpDutiesThe primary duties for the Food Service Worker position include, but are not limited to:* 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 of 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: Full-Time and Part-Time: 6:30am - 10:30am; 11:00am to 7:30pm; 3:30pm to 7:30pm; rotating weekends and holidays; subject to change depending on the needs of the agency.Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99920AHelpRequirementsConditions of Employment* You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job* Subject to background/security investigation* Pre-employment physical required* Designated and/or random drug testing may be required* You may be required to serve a probationary period* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959* A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/06/2024.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* Without more than normal supervision* Work PracticesExperience 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.Physical Requirements: May be required to perform heavy work such as scouring and scrubbing large-size cooking utensils. He/she may also be required to push heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing, and delivering supplies. May be required to work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 pounds or heavier amounts with or without assistance. There are long periods of standing and/or walking on tile floors, frequent bending, pulling, pushing, reaching, and stooping. A physical examination is required prior to being hired for this position.Working Conditions: The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dish-washing equipment often cause uncomfortable high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well lighted but is usually noisy from food service activities. There is danger of slipping on floors where food and beverages have been dropped. The employee is regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezer units.EducationThere is no educational substitution at this grade level.Additional informationReceiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.Read more* BenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.For more information on the Who may apply eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.