Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Child Care Subsidy

Federal pension and 401K

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Food Service Worker at the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. The role involves performing a variety of food service tasks in a fast-paced environment under established procedures.

Responsibilities include cleaning, food preparation, meal delivery to patients, and maintaining sanitation and safety standards. Both full-time and part-time shifts may be available, with a focus on reliable, timely service within a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Follow set procedures to accomplish repetitive tasks in food service.
• Perform cleaning, sanitizing, and food preparation duties per safety standards.
• Read and follow menus, recipes, and safety data sheets.

Responsibilities

• Use cleaning solutions to sanitize surfaces and equipment.
• Clean walk-in refrigerators and freezers and manage utensils and dishware.
• Prepare and portion foods, assemble salads, and deliver meals to patients or patrons.
• Set up dining areas and cafetéria lines with proper serving items.
• Follow safety policies when lifting and transporting food items.

Skills

Food handling

Sanitation

Safety compliance

Time management

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs
• Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
• Schedule: Full Time and Part Time positions may be available.

Food Service Workers 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. This position is located at VA Medical Center in Grand Junction, CO.

Key Responsibilities

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. This announcement may close without advanced notice. The Food Service Worker duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Using proper cleaning solutions to sanitize food preparation surfaces.

Cleaning walk-in refrigerators and freezers in a food service or food handling organization. Handling and storing sanitized dishes, glasses and silverware for public use. Making sandwiches using prepared ingredients for cafeteria or buffet lines. Portioning food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and containers. Assembling and tossing fresh fruit or green salads in large quantities for public consumption.

Brewing coffee in a restaurant/commercial size coffee maker. Setting up glasses, silverware, dishes, trays and condiments in communal dining areas. Scouring and scrubbing heavy cooking utensils such as mixing bowls and pots. Performing heavy duty cleaning tasks such as ceilings and/or exhaust hoods. Loading and operating a continuous conveyor belt feeding dishwasher. Setting up cafeteria lines and/or steam-tables with hot and cold food items.

Standing/walking to clear tables and carrying trays of heavy dishes for several hours or more at a time. Sweeping and mopping floors repetitively in high traffic areas such as corridors, entry ways, cafeterias and other areas. Moving kitchen equipment such as stand mixers, weight scales and meat slicers to clean spaces behind and under such equipment. Delivering meals, which may include hot foods and liquids, to patients' bedsides or patrons.

Emptying trashcans containing food scraps and waste. Reading and understanding written material such as time and duty schedules. Reading and following instructions with regard to safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals. Reading and following instructions on menus, recipes, and/or basic work instructions. Following label directions in using cleaning or disinfecting/sanitizing agents. Applying sanitation principles to safeguard food against spoilage and waste.

Adhering to safety policies and procedures when performing manual work involving lifting, carrying, transporting and delivering food or other items. Working quickly without accidents while at the same time being attentive to the quality of your work. Recognizing typical health and safety hazards for yourself and other workers around you. Working rapidly and accurately under the pressure of deadlines.

Work Schedule: Full time or Part time; Work schedule will be determined upon selection.

Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99921-S and PD99921S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Remote: This is not a remote position
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
• Physical Requirements: Wage Grade 2 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.

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 $18.04 – $21.05/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

What is the work schedule?

This is a Full Time and Part Time positions may be available. position.

Who is eligible to apply?

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