Summary

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has adopted the Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) Modernization Initiative or Standardization Implementation Plan which is a new model of organizing and consolidating essential Nutrition and Food Service functions and services to the Medical Center. This streamlined and focused approach moves VHA forward in its continuum of providing comprehensive - compassionate - and coordinated care to Veterans.

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 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.

Duties

• Major Duties and responsibilities include: Performs a full range of simple cooking which entails the preparation and cooking of meals that require little or no processing Follows menus - production sheets - and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed Performs full range of simple cooking by preparing and cooking items requiring little or no processing such as hot cereals - concentrated or dehydrated soups - sauces - and gravies Grills eggs - hamburgers - meat patties - pancakes - French toast
• broils meats
• makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches Prepares fresh - canned - and frozen vegetables
• bakes frozen potatoes - pre-made cookie dough - and muffin batters
• Prepares and heats convenience items such as frozen hash browns - fish fillets - and chicken nuggets
• prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners Washes - peels - and cuts fruits and vegetables by hand or machine
• Assembles and mixes salad ingredients and dessert items including gelatin molds and fruit crisps Washes - peels - chops - grinds - pares - cuts - slices - dices - purees - dredges flour and breads items Weighs - measures - and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets Combines ingredients according to precisely written recipes to produce quality food items - minimizing preparation time and food waste Pans foods for bulk according to recipe guidelines and production guidelines Operates a variety of kitchen equipment: oven - combi oven/steamer - grill - slicer - mixer - steam kettles - blender - food processor - scale
• follows safety procedures regarding the operation of equipment Follows sanitary food handling procedures
• covers - labels - and dates food items
• utilizes or discards ingredients by expiration date Cleans and sanitizes assigned work areas: worktables - sinks - blast chillers - rack - carts Operates dish machine Cleans - stores - and maintains all kitchen utensils - equipment and work areas practicing a \"clean as you go\" concept Rotates and stores perishable and non-perishable items according to service policies Maintains accurate food inventories Work Schedule: 5:30am-2:00pm - 10:00am-6:30pm - 11:00am-7:30pm - 2 out of 3 weekends Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99819S Physical Requirements: This position is subject to continuous standing - walking - frequent bending - reaching - pushing and pulling
• Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs
• unassisted
• Manipulates cumbersome and heavy objects - such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls - pushing heavy carts on caster - or operating heavy equipment
• Manual dexterity needed to safely operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades
• Hand-eye coordination and ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment
• Working Conditions: The work is performed in areas of temperature extremes
• Work is carried out in kitchen/dish room areas that are often hot - uncomfortable - and noisy
• Environment includes exposure to extreme cold while working in walk-in refrigerators and freezers for extended periods of time to complete duties
• Works with other cooks - food service workers - and supervisors
• Exposed to stems - cooking odors - and noise from equipment and conversation
• Subject to hazards of cuts - bruises - strains - burns and falls in kitchen equipment
• Strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions may be skin and respiratory irritants
• Performs work in patient care settings where there may be exposure to contagious disease
• May have contact with patients who demonstrate verbally and/or physically aggressive behavior
• Required to wear proper hair covering and clean uniform
• Wear disposable gloves when handling food for service - and proper protective equipment when completing cleaning activities.