Cook (ICR) Job in Murfreesboro, TN

Vacancy No. CBTG-12723579-25-BC Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $22.50 to $26.25 Grade 6 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/15/2025 Close Date 4/28/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Murfreesboro, TN


Summary

The position is located in the Ingredient Control Room (ICR) of Nutrition and Food Services, Murfreesboro TN campus. The incumbent is the senior employee in the ordering, receiving and distribution section of the food production unit. May provide relief coverage for the Cook/Food Service Supervisor. Will work all the WG-4, WG-3 and WG-2 duties as required per staffing and patient care needs.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent employees with Nutrition & Food Services at Tennessee Valley Healthcare System - VA Medical Center.

Duties

Major Duties:

  • Required Weighs, measures, assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets.
  • Maintains clean and sanitary conditions in all storage areas.
  • Routinely cleans walk-in coolers, freezers, and dry storage areas.
  • Works independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free, etc.) entrees and dessert items.
  • Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling.
  • Plans foods for bulk production according to forecast reports and production worksheets.
  • Gathers test data to assist management in making purchasing and menu pricing decisions.
  • Communicates to appropriate personnel when stock items are low, items are close to expiration dates or items show signs of damage.
  • Follows menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed.
  • Combines ingredients according to recipes to produce quality food items, minimizing preparation time and food waste.
  • Requisitions items in accordance with menu requirements, diet census, oral/written instructions, and computer reports.
  • Operates a variety of kitchen equipment and follows safety procedures regarding the operation of equipment.
  • Maintains security of storage areas.
  • Locks coolers, freezers, and dry storage area when not in use.
  • Receives and stores all products delivered to the Service.
  • Ensures accurate quantities are received and added to running inventories.
  • Selects storage location, labels/dates, and rotates stock.
  • Inventories subsistence and maintains running inventories of all subsistence and supplies.
  • Assures that food is stored at the correct temperature in a clean environment.
  • Identifies unsafe working habits or condition and reports to Supervisor.
  • Ensures that subsistence is received in a safe and sanitary manner.
  • Stores all food and expendable supplies according to food safety standards and specifications (quality, delivery temperature, cleanliness, in-tact packaging, weight).
  • Records and removes expired items and notifies Supervisor of items approaching expiration.
  • Participates in audit, utilization review, and quality control and cost containment programs for the service. Advises Supervisory Dietitians and/or Cook/Food Service Supervisors of work related problems, situations or conditions, citing corrective action taken.
  • Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of work area and equipment.
  • Monitors refrigerator and freezer temperatures in accordance with the HACCP program.
  • Keeps supervisory staff informed of safety hazards and equipment in need of repair.
  • Uses appropriate safety devices and personal protective clothing in performance of duties.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday Tour of Duty - 4:00am-12:30pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: At the needs of the hiring service
Position Description Title/PD#: Cook (ICR)/PD99356S
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/28/2025.

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 (includes blueprint reading)
  • Materials
  • Technical Practices
  • Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • 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/Working Conditions: Subject to continuous standing, walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently required to perform heavy work, such as scouring large size cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing, and delivering supplies. May be required to work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. Frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Work areas may become uncomfortably warm and noisy. Employee is exposed to minor cuts, bruises, burns, and scalds. There is a danger of slipping on floors, which are wet from daily mopping, or where food or beverage has been spilled. Employee may be exposed to extreme temperatures of the hot kitchen and the walk-in refrigerator. Employee may be exposed to various communicable diseases.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12723579.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Agency contact information

Brent Clark
Address
Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville
1310 24th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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