Food Service Worker Job in Nashville, TN

Vacancy No. CBTG-12602068-25-BC Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $17.70 to $20.65 Grade 2 to 2
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/15/2024 Close Date 11/27/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Nashville, TN


Summary

Wage Grade 2 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 job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Duties 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.
  • Emptying trashcans containing food scraps and waste.
  • Delivering meals, which may include hot foods and liquids, to patients' bedsides or patrons.
  • 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: Available shifts: 5:30am-2:00pm OR 10:30am-7:00pm; assigned schedule may include weekends and holidays.

Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99921S

Physical Requirements: Food Service Workers at this grade level perform work requiring repeated and frequent periods of heavy manual effort in lifting and carrying hot and cold items. Incumbent's work involves moderate to heavy physical effort. The incumbent is subject to continuous standing/walking; frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects weighing over 40 pounds with assistance as needed.

Work Environment: The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well lighted, but usually noisy from food service activities, and there is danger of slipping on floors where food or beverages have been dropped. Food service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids (grease, water, etc.), sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units. Incumbent is exposed to dangers of cuts, burns, bruises, and injuries from machines. They are also required to have hands in water containing cleaning compounds for relatively long periods. Working areas are usually noisy and occasionally crowded.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • 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.

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
  • 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 (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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.
The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

A supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/27/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12602068.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS 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. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Brent Clark
Address
Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville
1310 24th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated 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.


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