Cook - Full-time

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Danville (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A significant role in the Nutrition and Food Service at the VA Illiana Health Care System where the Cook is responsible for preparing high-quality meals for Veterans, ensuring food safety and sanitation. Applicants should illustrate their experience in food preparation, cooking a variety of dishes, and adhering to dietary needs.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing regular and special diet meals.
• Knowledge of standardized recipes and ingredients.
• Ability to maintain sanitary conditions while handling food.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious meals for Veterans in a health care setting.
• Follow food safety guidelines and manage dietary needs.
• Handle food under sanitary conditions to prevent contamination.

Skills

Food Preparation

Sanitation Practices

Cooking Techniques

Food Safety Knowledge

Job description

This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service at the VA Illiana Health Care System, Danville, IL,. The Cook prepares nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans. There are sequence of steps requiring attention to work operations, sanitation and safety; work assignments may require knowledge and judgment. This position is involved in the preparation of regular or special diet foods and meals including cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and other foods.
Duties

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May 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

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your background must demonstrate the following: experience in a variety of cook duties such as preparation of regular and/or special diet foods and meals; cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and vegetables; making soups, gravies, sauces, desserts, and other foods; knowledge and use of standardized recipes and menus with personal knowledge and experience to measure, assemble, mix ingredients, regulate cooking temperatures, and add seasoning to foods; knowledge and skill to design and prepare decorated foods and aesthetic food arrangements; and knowledge of food storage, safety and sanitation procedures and a broad knowledge of food service and food production operations such as food preparation and serving. Prioritizing tasks based on food safety and patient needs, handling food under sanitary conditions to prevent cross contamination, and understanding of food/drug interactions and food allergens.

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.