Summary
The Food Service Worker position is located within Nutrition and Food of Fargo, ND, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. The position, independently perform duties that require proficiency in special procedures. They require a broad knowledge of service operations, such as food and beverage preparation, modified diets, computer proficiency, dishwashing, dry and refrigerated storage, and safety and sanitation.
Duties
Duties for the position include:
- Set up assigned station on the tray line with the correct supplies and food items.
- Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on customers'/patients'/residents' plates.
- Break down and clean the station when assigned.
- 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.
- Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides and report the patients' comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian.
- Prepare beverages according to the number of servings required.
- Prepare fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts in specified quantities.
- Provide assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes.
- Prepare uncooked food items, such as sandwich spread and salad dressings.
- Operate and break down and clean all equipment assigned to food service and related areas.
- Portion other food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware.
- Make final check of diet trays assembled by lower grade workers for completeness, correct food temperatures.
- Verify that food items on the tray are appropriate for the prescribed diet.
- Identify obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu.
- Decide what food items to serve for the most common diets when the diet card or tray ticket identifies only the kind of diet called for.
- Provide patients with basic information about modified diets and the nutrition services that are available.
- Prepare individual and bulk nourishments and supplemental foods and beverages for patients
- Follow directions in assembling, measuring, weighing, or mixing ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental feedings following standardized recipes and using sanitary techniques.
- Determine the quantities of ingredients needed to prepare required yield.
- Make conversions between the metric system to the standard system.
- Take nourishment inventories, stocking using first in-first out procedures, replacing expired items.
- Sterilize equipment and sanitize work areas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Use a computer terminal to record and retrieve recipe, menu and inventory data and to produce reports.
Preferred Experience: Healthcare food service experience is preferred but not required.
Telework: Not eligible.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Work Schedule: Days vary - Sundays through Saturdays to include rotating holidays.
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99836S
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
Bargaining Unit Position: Yes.
Physical Requirements: Wage Grade 4 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.
Working Conditions: 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, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces, and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.
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.
Required Documents
Documents Accepted:
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Documents Required:
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 04/22/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12722267.
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. 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.
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.
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.