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Food Service Worker

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Navajo Region Indian Health Service, Kayenta Service Unit

Summary

At the Indian Health Service (IHS), Food Service Workers do more than provide quality food service to patients-they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most. Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/21/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 21, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$19.71 - $23.01 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 2
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
IHS-26-HQ-12995151-ESEP/MP
Control number
874787500

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Duties

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The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive care to Dietetics Branch within the Indian Health Service:

  • Prepares beverages, uncooked food items nourishments, supplemental feeding and special formulas according to standardized recipes.
  • Sets up assigned station on the tray line with correct supplies and food items.
  • Serves and replenishes cafeteria lines at scheduled times.
  • Using established policies and procedures, maintains a sanitary, safe working environment for employees & workers.
  • Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Work Schedule: May include 24/7, holidays and weekend schedules.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Have the ability to perform the work of a Food Service Worker with experience and training without more than normal supervision. This includes following oral or written instructions and/or work orders; performing Food Service Worker duties in a medical or nonmedical institution including various food preparation, serving and cleaning the cafeteria.

Candidates for this position will be evaluated under the Federal Wage System (FWS) Job Grading Standards. Applicants will be rated in the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Each of the job elements must be addressed on the on-line assessment questionnaire in order for the applicant to be rated for the position. Your resume must reflect the answers to your on-line assessment questionnaire.

Physical Requirements: Work involves moderate physical effort. Able to frequently lift and/or move objects weighing up to 40lbs unassisted, and greater than 40lbs assisted, and can work on ladders. Subject to continuous standing, walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, and sitting. Performs heavy-duty cleaning tasks using powered cleaning equipment, as appropriate.

Working Conditions: Regularly exposed to noise variations, hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces, extreme temperature changes, humidity, potentially hazardous chemicals, slippery floors, and enclosed areas.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement.

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean and in order)

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12995151.

All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 07/21/2026, to be considered.

Indian Health Service

Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Agency contact information

Brooklynne Cooke
Phone
505-722-1415 X71415
Fax
505-722-1386
Email
brooklynne.cooke@ihs.gov
Address
Kayenta Service Unit
PO Box 368
Kayenta, AZ 86033
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Indian Health Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.ihs.gov

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