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
- 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.
FSW FACTOR LEVELS
FACTOR I: SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE
- Wage Grade 4 Food Service Workers have an understanding of special procedures in preparing food and serving patients.
- Ability to apply skill and knowledge in planning and organizing work to complete assignments
- Working knowledge of procedures to prevent contamination, such as the need to clean equipment previously used for raw food
- Working knowledge of sanitation standards, such as the need to keep wiping cloths in sanitizing solution
- Ability to read and understand written material such as time and duty schedules, safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals
- Understanding of menus, recipes and basic work instructions
- Skill in arithmetical computations using decimals, fractions, and percentages to determine the quantities of ingredients needed to prepare the required yields
- Knowledge of special procedures and sanitation principles necessary in the preparation of tube feedings to prevent bacterial contamination
- Knowledge of the need to use a chemical sanitizer or maintain proper water temperature when cleaning dishes
- Knowledge of the temperature range where the potential of bacterial growth in food is greatest and the requirement to keep hot food in heated holding equipment or immediately refrigerate it
- Ability to read and understand diet cards when working on the tray assembly line
- Knowledge of color codes that signify regular or modified diets and special diet card notations
- Ability to apply a thorough knowledge of basic modified diets when providing the final check on patient trays to verify that the food items are correct for the prescribed diet
- Working knowledge of some diet principles, such as carbohydrate counting and fluid restriction for meal planning
- . Skill in making precise measurements and accurately weighing recipe ingredients for special feedings
- Knowledge of proper techniques for measuring the volume of dry, liquid, and fat ingredients and in the use of portion control scales
- Skill in measuring and weighing ingredients to adjust recipe yields according to standard procedures
- Ability to use a computer to enter and retrieve basic information, such as diet orders or recipe, menu and inventory data
- Skill to use correct measuring utensils or a portion control scale regularly
- Understanding of the routine methods and procedures used in all functional areas of the food service operation
- Ability to carry out the function of a small work unit
- Skill to train lower grade workers in methods and procedures
- Interpersonal skills to be able to interact appropriately with Veterans, visitors, coworkers, supervisors, and other medical center personnel.
FACTOR II: RESPONSIBILITY
Wage Grade 4 Food Service Workers receive limited supervision from the immediate supervisor who provides oral and written instructions on changes in procedures and special requirements. They perform routine work independently in accordance with written guides and established policy. They use judgment in recognizing work objectives and in planning and organizing duties to accomplish those objectives.
They refer questions on new work situations to the supervisor. They may assist lower grade employees and provide training on technical work matters. The supervisor spot checks work in progress to be sure that set procedures are being followed and that work will be accomplished according to a specific time schedule.
FACTOR III: PHYSICAL EFFORT
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.
FACTOR IV: 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.