Food Service Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a full-time Food Service Worker at the VA Bedford Healthcare System. The position entails setting up and serving food cafeteria style, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and assisting with kitchen operations.

Candidates should demonstrate experience with food service tasks, physical capability to perform moderate lifting, and a commitment to health and safety standards. This role supports the nutrition and food service for patients within the healthcare system.

Qualifications

• Must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Experience in food service work, including both volunteer and paid roles.
• Ability to perform light to moderate physical work, including frequent lifting.

Responsibilities

• Set up cafeteria lines and serve food cafeteria style.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides.
• Perform heavy-duty cleaning and manage waste in dishwashing area.

Skills

Dexterity and Safety

Follow Directions

Handle Weights and Loads

Reliability and Dependability

Special Aptitude - Food Service Work

Work Practices

Job description

Overview

Summary: This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Bedford Healthcare System within VISN 1. This is an open & continuous announcement establishing a standing register of eligible applicants. Direct Hire Authority is being used for this occupation.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of the 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 to perform the work. Provide detailed descriptions on your resume. Applicants will be evaluated against the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. Screen-out element is usually question 1 in the online questionnaire. Those possessing at least the minimal acceptable qualification are considered for further rating; others are ineligible. The remainder of the job elements include: Dexterity and Safety, Follow Directions, Handle Weights and Loads, Reliability and Dependability, Special Aptitude - Food Service Work, Work Practices. Experience may include paid or unpaid work, including volunteer work. If credit is given for volunteer experience, the same duties should be described with hours per week. A full year of work is considered 35-40 hours per week; part-time experience is credited proportionally. Applicants should clearly indicate duties, responsibilities, and hours per week for each position.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Food Service Workers perform light to moderate physical work. Heavy work may be required (e.g., scouring and scrubbing large utensils, pushing heavy carts). Continuous standing and walking; frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending. Frequently lift/move objects up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally more than 40 pounds with assistance. Work is in kitchen areas with heat and humidity; work area is well-lighted but may be noisy. Exposure to hot liquids, sharp blades, hot surfaces, and temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Set up cafeteria lines, steam tables, dining room tables, and service stands with hot and cold food items; serve food cafeteria style; break down and clean assigned areas and return food to the kitchen.
• Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, replenish items as necessary; return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room after meals; deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides.
• Brew coffee according to required servings; assemble and toss fresh fruit or green salads using prepared dressings and portions; portion other items using standard serving utensils and containers; make cold sandwiches and pack box lunches.
• Work in one or more kitchen functional areas (food preparation, dish/pot washing, storage, receiving, serving line); sort, wash, peel, and cut fruits and vegetables; operate and breakdown equipment; perform heavy-duty cleaning; manage waste and trash in the dishwashing area.
• Unload delivery trucks; store sanitized dishes, glasses, and silverware; assist with sanitation and preventive maintenance of equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a hospital setting with exposure to contagious diseases.
• Standard precautions may require the use of PPE in situations of potential exposure.
• Observe ergonomics in an office/kitchen setting with electrical and stationary equipment; be alert to wet floors, gas, steam, electrical equipment, and general safety precautions including proper lifting techniques.
• Discomfort may arise from temperature and humidity changes in work areas.

Schedule

Full-time; schedule will be based on facility needs.