Clarification from the agency

Current, Permanent Employees of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center (includes CBOCs & VCS)

• Conducts final check of diet trays to ensure correct food temperature and those selections/portions comply with remarks annotated on tray ticket or diet card.
• Serves meals following diet orders in a cafeteria line or dining room.
• Runs nourishment labels, check diet changes for early and late trays, prepare slips for outpatients, run back-up copies for tray tickets and nourishments , and assists in food preparation as needed.
• Uses a computer terminal to record and retrieve recipes, menu, and inventory data and to produce printouts of such information for various work units in the kitchen.
• Assembles labels and distributes individual nourishments for appropriate patients or nursing stations.
• Assists higher graded cooks and/or independently prepares menu items that require little or no processing such as cold sandwich fillings, milkshakes, gelatin, fruit servings, toast, simple salads, coffee and similar items.
• Follows recipes along with menu item preparation worksheets and verbal instructions in order to prepare foods and beverages.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 02/19/2019.

Your background must demonstrate experience in a variety Food Service Worker duties such as nutrition care service operations to plan, organize and complete food services to patients according to established schedules, working with sanitation and food safety regulations. Experience weighing and measuring and making arithmetical computations in order to increase, decrease or convert ingredients used in food preparation, operating and cleaning steam and electrical equipment used in food service, working with regular, modified and special diets in order to recognize and check menu items for compliance with prescribed diets, reading and understanding standard recipes in order to assist the cook or independently prepare simple menu items, and utilizing a personal computer, keyboard, and printer.

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. The screen-out element for this position is ability to do the job of a food service worker without more than normal supervision. 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
• 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 EFFORT: May be required to and must be physically able to perform work involving constant standing, walking, frequent bending, stooping, pushing and pulling. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds. May be required to push heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing and delivering supplies and transporting heavy objects and food service equipment. He/she must be able to work in temperatures above and below normal; is subject to cuts and burns when preparing or serving food and beverages; and is in danger of falling on slippery floors. He/she works with a variety of cleaning compounds and detergents.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in the kitchen, dish room, pot machine room, storage areas and offices where steam and heat from cooking, tray assembly line and dishwashing often cause high temperatures and high humidity. The work areas are generally well lighted, but usually noisy from food service activities. There is a danger of slipping on wet floors where food or beverages have been dropped. The incumbent is regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces and extreme temperatures. Depending upon the job assignment the work may require the use of protective clothing and gear such as masks, gowns, gloves, earplugs, googles, beard snoods and freezer coats. Clothing and dress must meet sanitation and safety standards.

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.