Food Service Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Memphis (TN); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Food Service Worker at the Memphis VA Medical Center. This role involves food preparation and serving in the Nutrition and Food Services department. Candidates will perform various tasks such as setting up dining areas, serving food, and maintaining cleanliness.

Qualified applicants should have the ability to perform a range of duties that require attention and following established procedures. A physically demanding role, it requires standing for prolonged periods and lifting objects up to 40 pounds.

Qualifications

• Understanding of basic food handling techniques.
• Ability to perform heavy duty cleaning tasks.
• Experience in food preparation and serving.

Responsibilities

• Set up and break down cafeteria lines and dining-room tables.
• Serve food to customers/patients as required.
• Operate kitchen equipment and perform maintenance.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides.
• Perform heavy-duty cleaning in service areas.

Skills

Basic food handling techniques

Reliability and Dependability

Following Directions

Dexterity

Special Aptitude – Food Service Work

Job description

Overview

This position is located in Memphis, Tennessee at the Memphis VA Medical Center in the Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) department. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Supervisor. Wage Grade 2 Food Service Workers perform tasks with several steps or a sequence of tasks that require attention to work operations. They follow set procedures to accomplish repetitive assignments and follow an established sequence of work such as working in the dish room and passing trays.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this 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 of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence that demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions 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 – usually question 1 in the online 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 eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety, Follow Directions, Handle Weights and Loads, Reliability And Dependability, Special Aptitude – Food Service Work, 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. 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. A full year of work is considered 35–40 hours per week. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of the 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 per week spent in such employment.

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026.
• Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.
• Wage Grade 2 Food Service Workers have an understanding of basic food handling techniques to perform tasks involving several procedures.
• As the Food Service Worker – the incumbent’s duties include – but are not limited to:
  • 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 the 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.
  • Apportion other food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and containers.
  • 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.
  • Separate food waste and trash from dishes – glasses and silverware in the dish‑washing area.
  • Remove inspection doors – strainer pans – screens and spray arms for preventive maintenance of the dish machine.
  • Unload delivery trucks.
  • Store sanitized dishes – glasses and silverware.
  • Scrape – soak – scour – and scrub the heavier cooking utensils.
  • Move heavy garbage cans when collecting and transferring trash from the work area to the disposal area.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Work schedule: 6:00 am–2:30 pm or 10:30 am–7:00 pm.
• Tour of duty is based on the needs of the service and includes working weekends and holidays, based on rotating off days per quarterly schedule.
• Position description title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99921‑S. 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.