Clarification from the agency

This is open to current permanent Hines VA Employees.

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Food Service Workers at this level work in the Ingredient Control room of the Production Unit (IC). This area includes dry subsistence storeroom, non-food supply storeroom, refrigerators, and freezers of NFS This position is located in the Ingredient Control room of the Production Unit (IC) in the Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) Division at the Hines VA Medical Center and is responsible for providing food service assistance. Workers perform duties that require proficiency in special procedures and broad knowledge of service operations, such as food preparation, dishwashing, dry and refrigerated storage, and food and beverage serving. Duties include:

• Receives, stores and requisition food and supplies for kitchen.
• Labels, dates and stores food and non-food items according to procedures.
• Maintains first-in and first-out system of rotation of food and non-food items.
• Assures that foods are stored at the correct temperature in clean environments.
• Maintain proper ceiling, floor, and wall clearances to assure proper air circulation in storage areas.
• Maintains clean and sanitary conditions of storage areas.
• Conducts physical inventory of items as needed.
• Set up station on the tray line with all food and non-food supplies, return food and non-food items to designated locations, and clean the station after serving.
• Load and deliver food carts to patient care units, collect soiled dishes and return to the dish room for processing.
• Fill beverage and ward nourishment from the list of requested and already prepared beverage or nourishment and assemble onto the tray for delivery.
• Aid cooks in the food preparation area by weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients according to standardized recipes.
• Use portion control scales and measuring utensils for food items to meet established standards of portion accuracy, attractiveness, and sanitation.
• Combine fruit and vegetable ingredients for salads; portion and assemble individual salads and desserts.
• Make cold sandwiches using prepared ingredients and packs box lunches.
• Set up and operate mechanical dishwasher, including the continuous conveyor belt feeding dishwasher and inspects doors, strainer pans, screens, and spray arms for preventative maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: based on needs of the service, includes weekends
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD16235A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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 Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 10/17/2025.

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 eligible candidates 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.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent is required to and must be physically able to perform work involving constant standing, walking, frequent bending, stooping, pushing, and pulling. They must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and be able to push heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing and delivering supplies and transport heavy objects and food service equipment.

Working Conditions: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, goggles, beard snoods and freezer coats. Clothing and dress must meet sanitation and safety standards. The employees work with frequent interruptions and must maintain accuracy with little margin for error.

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.