Cook

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Cook in the Nutrition and Food Service at a VA Medical Center in Tampa. The Cook/WG-6 prepares nutritious, high-quality meals for Veteran patients, following menus, recipes, and therapeutic diet requirements.

Responsibilities include operating cooking equipment, preparing entrees, vegetables, and desserts; maintaining sanitation and safety; and supporting meal service across shifts, including early mornings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing a variety of menu items including therapeutic diets (diabetic, low sodium, etc.).
• Ability to follow production sheets, recipes and menus.
• Emphasis on safe food handling, sanitation, and quality control.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook regular and therapeutic meals per menus and recipes.
• Grill, bake, and assemble a range of entrees, sides, and desserts.
• Operate cooking equipment and maintain kitchen cleanliness and safety.

Skills

Food preparation

Menu following

Dietary accommodations

Sanitation & safety

Heavy lifting

Tools

Cooking equipment

Job description

Summary

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

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

Qualifications

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.

Duties

• Major Duties include but are not limited to: Works independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic - low sodium - low protein - gluten free - etc.) entrees and dessert items
• Follows menus - production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed
• Grills eggs - hamburgers - meat patties - pancakes - French toast
• makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches
• Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats - fish - and poultry including broiling - roasting - baking - frying - boiling - steaming - stewing - braising - and grilling
• Prepares fresh - canned - and frozen vegetables
• bakes frozen potatoes - pre-made cookie dough - muffin batters
• Prepares and heats convenience items
• prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners
• Work Schedule: Varies - Monday-Friday - including weekends and Holidays - 5:00am-1:30pm/ 11:30am-8:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99818S Physical Requirements: Subject to continuous standing - walking - frequent bending - reaching - pushing and pulling
• Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs
• unassisted
• Manipulates cumbersome and heavy objects - such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls - pushing heavy carts on caster - or operating heavy equipment
• Manual dexterity needed to safely operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades
• Hand-eye coordination and ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment.