Cook

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Maywood (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Nutrition and Food Service at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Illinois seeks a Cook, WG-6 to prepare nutritious, high-quality meals for Veteran patients. The position emphasizes safety, sanitation, and timely service in a hospital kitchen.

Applicants must show evidence of training or experience sufficient to perform the duties, with qualification decisions guided by the OPM Federal Wage System standards. Closing date is 2026-10-06.

Qualifications

• Evidence of training or experience sufficient to perform the duties of the Cook WG-6.
• Qualifying experience will be evaluated per OPM Federal Wage System Standards.
• Note: the screen-out element determines eligibility before each element review.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious, high-quality meals for Veteran patients.
• Work in a hospital kitchen environment with attention to safety and sanitation.
• Follow recipes, portion controls, and food safety guidelines to ensure timely service.

Job description

This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service of a Veteran Affairs Medical Center. 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, WG6, is to prepare nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/06/2026.

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 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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Performs work in areas of extremes of temperature, such as walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.
• 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 to complete duties.
• Works with other cooks, food service workers and supervisors.
• Exposed to steam, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation.
• 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 wear proper hair covering and clean uniform.
• Wear disposable gloves when handling food for service and proper protective equipment when completing cleaning activities.