Summary
This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Services within the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Administration. The primary purpose of this position is to perform and lead employees in food service operations including food handling, preparation, storage and delivery. The Food Service Worker Lead perform duties associated with the food service industry.
A recruitment incentive may be available to highly qualified applicant.
This job is open to
- Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a “surplus” or “displaced” employee.
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
ALL US CITIZENS
DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.
Duties
Major Duties include but is not limited to:
- Sets up assigned station on the tray line with the correct supplies and food items
- Serves food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions on customer/patient/resident plates
- Breaks down and cleans the station when assigned
- Sets up dining room tables, place food and beverages on tables and replenish items
- Returns soiled trays and dishes to the dish room
- Delivers meal trays to patients’ bedsides and reports patient comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian
- Prepares fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts
- Sorts, washes, peels and cuts cold foods using knives or other equipment
- Provides assistance to cooks in food preparation areas such as weigh, measure, and assemble ingredients
- Prepares uncooked food items
- Operates and break down and cleans equipment assigned to food service and related areas
- Portions other food items into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and specified dishware
- Prepares boxed/to go meals
- Make final check of diet trays assembled by lower grade workers for completeness and correct food temperatures
- Verify that food items on the tray are appropriate for the prescribed diet
- Identify obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu
- Distributes menus and surveys to patients
- Provides patients with basic information about modified diets and the nutrition services available
- Prepares individual and bulk nourishments and supplemental foods and beverages for patients
- Follows directions in assembling, measuring, weighing or mixing ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental following standardized recipes and using sanitary techniques
- Determines the quantities of ingredients needed to prepare required yield
- Makes conversions between the metric system to the standard system
- Takes nourishment inventories, stocking using first in first out procedures, replacing expired items
- Labels an distributes individual nourishments
- Sterilizes equipment and sanitizes work areas
- Works in one or more functional areas of the kitchen such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving line
- Performs heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas
- Communicates instructions and information about getting work started and accomplished to other employees
- Communicates with supervisors, managers and employees about problems and events and actively participates in the implementation of problem resolution
- Maintains current knowledge and answers questions of other workers on procedures, policies, written instructions and other directives
- Leads activities of the production and service areas.
- Leads food production activities in the absence of a supervisor or Food Production Manager
- Adheres to facility customer service standards with all staff and patient interactions
- Follows up on patient feedback as needed to assure high quality patient/customer service is maintained
- Provides on the job training to worker graded food service workers and documents training provided
- Completes safety and sanitation inspection check lists of the food service and food production areas, documents problems, and initiates action to resolve them
- Advises and communicates to employees instructions for accomplishing corrective actions
- Reviews the daily work assignments sheets and makes adjustments in assignments and work sequences as necessary so that coverage is provided
- Assigns tasks to individual members of the group of employees
- Checks work in progress and ensures that when finished it complies with instructions on work sequence, procedures, quality and deadlines
- Ensures that food production and service areas are properly set up with all food and/or supplies in a timely manner
- Works food service positions as needed
- Reviews diet changes prior to tray line, making appropriate adjustments on individual patient tray tickets
- Performs final checks on trays for proper temperature and accuracy as indicated on the ticket
- Assures proper food handling techniques are used and all employees use good personal hygiene
- Communicates with supervisors leave requests made by employees
- Oversees employee activities to ensure that diet orders are process in time for meal service, tray tickets reviewed and foods are portioned and served
- Serves as relief for first line supervisors during employee shortages and emergency situations
Work Schedule: Saturday – Wednesday 5:30 am to 9:30 am
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker Leader/PD99919A
Recruitment Incentive: May be available to highly qualified applicant.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Pre-employment physical required
- 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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/10/2023.
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 for a Food Service Worker Leader. The screen out for this vacancy is the ability to lead or supervise. This would include communicating instructions and information to staff regarding preparing a variety of foods, determining which food items to serve for common, specialized or modified diets; communicating with supervisors about problems and events that occurred; providing on-the-job training; reviewing daily work assignments and making adjustments when needed; performs food service work to include reviewing trays before delivery ensuring correct food temperature, selections and portions; assisting cooks with food preparation; preparing special feeding and nourishment items according to label or oral instructions; serving meals and drinks, clean and sanitizing kitchen equipment; cleaning tables and washing dishes; follows instructions and can follow proper food handling guidelines; makes arithmetical computations to increase, decrease or convert metric to standard measurements. 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.
Preferred Experience:
- Hospital or long-term care nutrition and food service experience. Prefer 1 or more years’ experience within the last 5 years
- ServSafe certified
- Leading teams or sections/departments, training employees, adhering to and enforcing standards
The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:
- Dexterity and Safety
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
- Lead or Supervise
- Materials
- Technical Practices
- Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- 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.
Physical Requirements: The work performed requires some light to moderate physical effor. They may be required to do 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 sitting, standing, 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 assistance of others.
Working Conditions: The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often causes uncomfortable high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well-lighted but usually noisy from food service activities and there is danger of slipping on floors where food or beverages have been dropped. Food Service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units. may be unknowingly exposed to patients who have contagious disease.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Additional information
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers community-based outpatient clinics domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel 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.
- Benefits
A 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 benefits
Eligibility 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 Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Resume Reminder – Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Job title
Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary/Rank etc.
Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
References, current or recent supervisor
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications to ensure you receive appropriate consideration. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
- Benefits
A 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 benefits
Eligibility 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.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Performance Appraisal
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Documents Required:
- Resume
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans’ Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans’ Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
- How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/10/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12138134.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information
Merlinda Winbush
Phone
702-791-9000 X14083
Email
MERLINDA.WINBUSH@VA.GOV
Address
VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
- Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Performance Appraisal
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Documents Required:
- Resume
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans’ Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans’ Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/10/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12138134.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information
Merlinda Winbush
Phone
702-791-9000 X14083
MERLINDA.WINBUSH@VA.GOV
Address
VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request