Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, located in Des Moines, IA, is seeking a Food Service Worker (Wage Grade 2) to perform a sequence of food preparation and serving tasks across kitchen and dining areas. You will set up lines, serve cafeteria style, and assist with cleaning and stocking during meals.

The role requires ability to follow established procedures, rotate shifts (6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.), and work weekends/holidays as needed within a federal pay grade environment.

Qualifications

• Set up cafeteria lines, steam tables, dining room tables, and side service stands with hot and cold food items.
• Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on customers'/patients' plates.
• Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room after meals and perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks in food service areas.

Responsibilities

• Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary.
• Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides.
• Sort, wash and cut fresh fruits and vegetables; assemble and toss salads in quantity.
• Operate and break down equipment; work in multiple kitchen areas (food prep, dish and pot washing, storage, serving line).

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Food Service Workers (Wage Grade 2) at the Central Iowa VA perform tasks with several steps or a sequence of tasks that requires attention to work operations. They follow set procedures in accomplishing repetitive assignments and follow an established sequence of work such as working in the dish room, passing trays, portioning cold foods and dipping hot foods.

Key Responsibilities

Major duties and responsibilities include: Set up cafeteria lines, steam tables, dining room tables, and side service stands with hot and cold food items Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on customers'/patients' plates Break down and clean assigned area when the meal is finished and return food to the kitchen Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room after meals Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides Brew coffee according to the number of servings required Assemble and toss fresh fruit or green salads in quantity using prepared dressings and portions into standard serving sizes Make cold sandwiches using prepared ingredients and pack box lunches Work in one or more functional areas of the kitchen such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving line Sort, wash, peel and cut fresh fruits and vegetables Operate and break down equipment Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas.

Work Schedule: Employees may be assigned to either a 6:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. shift or a 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. shift. Based on departmental needs, staff will rotate and work a mix of both schedules. Weekend and holiday work is required. The weekend schedule follows a 2-out-of-3 rotation (employees work two weekends, then have the third weekend off).

Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/ PD99921S Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Physical Effort: Food Service Workers perform work requiring light to moderate physical effort.

They may be required to perform heavy work, such as scouring and scrubbing large size cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing, and delivering supplies. They are subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.

Working Conditions: The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well-lighted but usually noisy from food service activities, and there is danger of slipping on floors where food or beverages have been dropped.

Food service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces, and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $19.06 – $22.23/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-16.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.

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Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government