Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent Veteran Health Administration (VHA) employees only.

• Responsible for training Food Service employees in the Food Service and Production Section.
• Trains in continuing and new education in food safety, service techniques, customer service and Nutrition and Food Service policy.
• Trains lower grade employees and provides on-the-job training of new Food Service and Production employees as requested by the immediate supervisor.
• Trains lower grade employees in safe food handling practices, utilizing programs training programs approved by the FDA Food Code, i.e. ServSafe.
• Utilizes various training media to deliver necessary training.
• Checks work while in progress and when finished to see whether the instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met by lower-grade employees.
• Encourages and coordinates employees to fully utilize their time and to fulfill their assigned tasks in an efficient and satisfactory manner.
• Makes necessary adjustments when there are unforeseen circumstances that may change the staff needs and methods of the operational needs of the service.
• Maintains a wide knowledge of food service operations, is capable of performing all lower graded tasks.
• Ensures a safe clean area to work and working climate where employees function efficiently and effectively.
• Assures proper food handling techniques are used and good personal hygiene is used according to established policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with the Food Service Supervisors. Leads food production and delivery activities in the absence of a Supervisor or Food Production Manager.
• Participates and works with the section's supervisors in obtaining needed information and in decision-making to resolve problems that arise within the service and/or have a significant impact with established policies and procedures.
• Identifies existing or potential safety hazards and promptly notifies the immediate supervisor.
• Takes appropriate action by following established policies and procedures and reports to the immediate supervisor if an employee injury occurs on the job.
• Ensures that all equipment and/or tools are operated in a safe manner.
• Participates in various quality improvement projects such as test tray evaluations, safety and sanitation inspections and/or other projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday (6:00AM - 2:30PM), may adjust based on operational need.
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker Leader/PD99918S
Physical Requirements: In addition to the physical effort described at grade 1, some food service workers at this level 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 also may be required to work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds).

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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)
• Lead or Supervise
• 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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.