Cook (CYS) NA-06.

Obsolete Site; New Jersey; On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Army Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey seeks a kitchen assistant to support a CACFP-based food service program, plan and prepare meals, and ensure compliance with safety policies. You will work with Food and Nutrition Specialists, assist in training kitchen staff, and help manage menus and food orders.

The role requires physical stamina and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Qualifications

• 1) Minimum 6 months work experience directly related to kitchen duties.
• 2) Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs on a routine basis.
• 3) Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing a CACFP-based food service program.
• Perform a variety of cooking tasks including cleaning, peeling, slicing, grilling, baking, and mixing ingredients.
• Prepare and cook foods such as meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, stews, casseroles, gravies, and baked goods per standard recipes.
• Collaborate with Food and Nutrition Specialists to plan menus and submit food orders.
• Assist with on-the-job training of kitchen staff and support youth cooking clubs and health programs, following risk management procedures.

Skills

Food preparation

Cooking

Sanitation and safety

English communication

Job description

Duties

• Applies knowledge and skill to assist in planning and implementing a comprehensive food service program that follows the policies and procedures of the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
• Performs a variety of food preparation and cooking tasks such as cleaning, paring, peeling, slicing, dicing; grilling, frying, baking broiling, pouring liquids and mixing ingredients.
• Prepares and cooks a variety of more complicated/time consuming foods such as meats poultry, seafood, vegetables, stews, casseroles, gravies, sauces, and baked goods following standard recipes.
• Works with Food and Nutrition Specialists to prepare menus and submit food orders and purchase requests.
• Assist with "on the job training" of other kitchen staff members and serves as consultant to youth cooking clubs/health and fitness programs as required, and follows risk management procedures.

Conditions of employment

• Direct Deposit and Social Security Card is required.
• Meet qualification/eligibility/background requirements for this position.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Satisfactorily complete an employment verification (E-Verify) check.
• Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 4 hours initial food sanitation and safety training is required within 30 days of employment and a minimum of 4 hours refresher training annually.
• Subject to satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks in accordance with AR 215-3, para.2 and a Child Care Tier 1 background investigation is required.
• Must have current health assessment which documents good mental and physical health, freedom from communicable disease, and immunizations IAW current Army and DoD policy including annual influenza vaccinations.
• May be subject to irregular hours, evening and/or weekends.
• Work involves continual standing and walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending.
• Work is performed in kitchen areas, which are well lighted but are often hot and noisy. Employee is exposed to steam, fumes, odors from cooking, and to extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigerators or freezing units.
• Must be able to lift or move objects up to 40 pounds unassisted, and occasionally lift or move objects weighing over 40 pounds with the assistance of other workers or lifting devices.
• Must stand on tile floor, subject to burns, cuts, bruises, and slipping on wet floors.

Qualifications

Resumes must be two pages (or less).

Resumes should clearly demonstrate the applicant's relevant experience, skills, knowledge and abilities as they pertain to this position.

A Qualified Candidate Must Possess The Following: A minimum of 6 months of work experience directly related to the duties described above, that included skill in working with professional kitchen appliances and equipment. Be able to communicate (verbal and written) in English. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs. on a routine basis.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This original close date of 9/23/2026 was extended due to a low applicant pool. Referrals will be sent upon request. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies throughout the program. Management has the right to assign staff to locations as mission requires.

Area Of Consideration

• The Area of Consideration for this vacancy announcement is those that live in the surrounding area within 50 miles or who are willing to commute to Picatinny Arsenal or relocate at their own expense. (Military Spouse Preference (MSP) and Involuntarily Separated Military Preference (ISMP) Preference eligible candidates are included in the area of consideration).

PCS Costs

• Payment Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government's interest.

Allowances and Differentials

• This job falls under the Federal Wage Schedule (FWS) pay system. FWS employees earn overtime pay for working more than 8 hours in a day or more than 40 hours in a week - whichever gives the employee more benefit. Regular full-time, regular part-time, and regularly scheduled flexible employees may receive Sunday premium pay for working on Sundays. Employees may also be eligible to receive extra pay if the majority of their scheduled hours falls after 3:00 PM.
• Non-foreign overseas allowances, cost of living (COLA), and differentials will not be paid.

Important Information Regarding Access To Certain Federal Facilities

• Access to certain federal facilities may require a REAL ID-compliant driver's license/ID (marked with a star) or an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) from WA, MI, MN, NY, or VT. See

Your Application may be Considered for Multiple Opportunities

• After you apply, your application remains valid for 90 days and may be referred to hiring officials as new vacancies arise. Additional referrals from this announcement may occur for up to 90 days after the closing date.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Working for Army Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) can offer numerous advantages. Army NAF employment can provide a sense of pride and fulfillment, as you'll be supporting communities comprised of military and civilian personnel, and their families, which contributes to the Department of Defense's overall mission. We offer a wide range of career opportunities, including jobs in childcare, recreation, hospitality, and more. Many employees have opportunities for professional development, including training, education, and certification programs to help towards career advancement. As an Army NAF employee, you'll have access to some on-base facilities, including fitness centers, libraries, and many other amenities.

Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for enrollment in health and life insurance, participation in 401k and retirement plans, and paid personal time off and federal holidays. NAF flexible employees, working in the United States or a U.S. citizen or spouse or child of a U.S. citizen working for a NAFI in a foreign area, are eligible to participate in the NAF 401(k) plan. Some flexible employees may also be eligible to receive health insurance.