Summary

PLEASE NOTE: Due to system updates - this job opportunity announcement will close early on 09/26/2025. Applications received by 11:59 pm ET on 9/26/2025 will be reviewed and referred to Hiring Managers - if found eligible and qualified.

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

• This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Medical Center in Lexington - KY
• Perform tasks with steps or sequence of tasks requiring attention to work operations
• Can do all duties of a lower grade worker
• Can 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 area portioning food - dipping hot food - working dish room passing trays
• The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has adopted the HR Modernization and Shared Services Implementation - which is a new model of organizing and consolidating essential Human Resource (HR) functions and services to the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) level
• This improvement to HR service delivery will support the needs of the VISN's diverse workforce and the expectations of management related to the acquisition - compensation - retention - and performance of staff - as well as the consistent execution of HR-related administrative functions to benefit both staff and Veterans
• This streamlined and focused approach moves VHA forward in its continuum of providing comprehensive - compassionate - and coordinated care to Veterans
• Wage Grade 3 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
• Wage grade 3 workers can do all the duties of a lower grade worker
• They can 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 area doing work such as portioning cold food - dipping hot food - working in the dish room and passing trays
• Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Set up assigned station 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 Sort - wash - peel and cut cold foods using knives or other equipment 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 food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware Prepare boxed/to go meals - Select and place correct items on patient trays Read and interpret a regular or modified menu - individual diet cards - tray tickets or patient selections 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 Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas Separate food waste - trash/recyclables from dishes - glasses and silverware Unload food/tray delivery carts - Store sanitized dishes - glasses and silverware Scrape - soak - scour - and scrub cookware and utensils Move garbage cans when collecting and transferring trash from the work area to the disposal area Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday and every other weekend 6:00am - 2:30pm
• 7:00am-3:30pm on occasion
• and holidays as scheduled Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99920A