Food Service Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Food Service Worker at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. The role supports Nutrition & Food Service with food prep, serving, tray delivery, and adherence to diet orders in a hospital setting.

Wage Grade 3 position involves standing, lifting up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds with assistance. Full-time schedules include rotating weekends and holidays; pre-employment evaluations may apply.

Qualifications

• Experience or training demonstrating the ability to perform duties is required.
• Applicants are evaluated under the Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
• A full year of work is 35-40 hours per week; credit may be given for part-time work.

Responsibilities

• Sets up and breaks down the assigned station with correct supplies and food items.
• Portions food into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and dishware.
• Selects and places correct items on patient trays and assists with diets.
• Determines items for common diets and checks for discrepancies with the menu.
• Sets up dining tables, places food/beverages, and replenishes items as needed.
• Delivers meal trays to patients' bedsides.
• Reports patient comments and complaints to supervisor or dietitian.
• Assists cooks in food prep, weighing/measuring ingredients per recipes.
• Prepares fresh fruit/salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold desserts.
• Reads diet cards, menus, tray tickets, or patient selections.
• Performs heavy-duty cleaning in the food service and related areas.
• Fulfills other duties as assigned.

Skills

Dexterity

Safety

Interpret Instructions

Tools & Equipment Handling

Work Practices

Job description

Summary

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis - Minnesota. Wage Grade 3 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. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/19/2026. 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.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. Performs work requiring light to moderate physical. 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. Subject to continuous standing and walking - and frequent stooping - reaching - pushing - pulling - and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others. 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.

• Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Sets up and breaks down assigned station with the correct supplies and food items
• Portions food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware Selects and places correct items on patient trays Decides what food items to serve for the most common diets Identifies obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu Sets up dining room tables for service - place food and beverages on tables - and replenish items as necessary
• Delivers meal trays to the patients' bedsides
• reporting the patients' comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian
• Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area - such as weigh - measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes
• Prepares fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts
• Reads and interprets regular or modified menus - individual diet cards - tray tickets or patient selections Performs heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas
• Performing other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-time - various shifts are available - rotating weekends and holiday - to be discussed during interview
• Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD# 99920S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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.