Food Service Worker

The New Mexico VA Healthcare Network is hiring a Food Service Worker for the Nutrition and Food Service Line. Responsibilities include food prep, modified diets, dishwashing, storage, and sanitation, requiring independent handling of specialized tasks and strong knowledge of service operations and computer use. 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. Preferred experience: Incumbent is required to know a broad knowledge of service operations, modified diets to include food prep, and have computer proficiency. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) 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. Include but are not limited to following: Make final check of diet trays assembled by lower grade workers for completeness, correct food temperatures. Verify food items on the tray are appropriate for the prescribed diet. Identifies obvious discrepancies between prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu. Decide what food items to serve for the most common diets when the diet card or tray ticket identified only the kind of diet called for. Distributes menus and surveys to patients. provides patients with basic information about modified diets and the nutrition services that are available. Sets up the assigned station on the tray line with the correct supplies and food items. Prepares beverages according to the number of servings required. Prepares fresh fruit, cold salads, dressings, sandwich fillings, cold sandwiches, and simple cold desserts in specified quantities. Sorts, washes, peels, and cuts cold foods using knives or other equipment. Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients according to standardized recipes. Prepares uncooked food items like sandwich spreads and salad dressings. Operates, breaks down, and cleans all equipment assigned to food service and related areas. Prepare individual and bulk nourishments and supplemental foods and beverages for patients. Follows directions in assembling, measuring, weighing, or mixing ingredients for basic formulas and supplemental feedings, following standardized recipes and sanitary techniques. Determines ingredient quantities needed to prepare the required yield. Work Schedule: 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM or 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM; Shifts are variable to include weekends and holiday. Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99836S Physical Requirements: 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. Are subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. May be required to work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. Frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others. 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. Education This position does not require education.