At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve food, clean areas, and assist in kitchen operations at the VA Medical Center.
- Company: Join the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, dedicated to serving veterans and their families.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible part-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in veterans' lives while gaining valuable experience in food service.
- Qualifications: No specific experience required; just a willingness to learn and work hard.
- Other info: Part-time role with potential for growth and development in a federal career.
This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the Edward P. Boland VA Medical Center within VISN 1.
Duties:
- Set up cafeteria lines, steam tables, dining room tables, and side service stands with hot and cold food items.
- Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on customers'/patients' plates.
- Break down and clean assigned area when the meal is finished and return food to the kitchen.
- Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary.
- Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room after meals.
- Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides.
- Brew coffee according to the number of servings required.
- Assemble and toss fresh fruit or green salads in quantity using prepared dressings and portions into standard serving sizes.
- Apportion other food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and containers.
- Make cold sandwiches using prepared ingredients and pack box lunches.
- Work in one or more functional areas of the kitchen such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving line.
- Sort, wash, peel and cut fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Operate and break down equipment.
- Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas.
- Separate food waste and trash from dishes, glasses and silverware in the dish washing area.
- Remove inspection doors, strainer pans, screens and spray arms for preventive maintenance of the dish machine.
- Unload delivery trucks.
- Store sanitized dishes, glasses and silverware.
- Scrape, soak, scour, and scrub the heavier cooking utensils.
- Move heavy garbage cans when collecting and transferring trash from the work area to the disposal area.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Part-time, schedule will be based on facility needs.
Requirements:
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Pre-employment physical required.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs and other organizations. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Food Service Workers perform work requiring light to moderate physical effort. They 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 are subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. They 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.
The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well-lighted but usually noisy from food service activities, and there is danger of slipping on floors where food or beverages have been dropped. Food service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces, and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.
Food Service Worker employer: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Contact Detail:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Service Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of a Food Service Worker at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Understanding tasks like food preparation, serving, and cleaning will help you demonstrate your knowledge during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have in food service or similar roles. Even if it's volunteer work, showcasing your ability to handle food safely and efficiently can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. The role requires physical stamina and the ability to multitask, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed similar situations in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and their mission. Showing that you understand their commitment to serving veterans can help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Service Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the specific duties and responsibilities of a Food Service Worker. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with these tasks.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When writing your resume, focus on any previous food service or related experience. Include details about your roles, responsibilities, and any skills that demonstrate your ability to perform the job effectively.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only expresses your interest in the position but also showcases your understanding of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' mission. Mention how your skills and experiences make you a great fit for their team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread all documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your information is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
✨Know the Role
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of a Food Service Worker. Understand tasks like serving food, cleaning, and food preparation. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Even if you don't have direct experience, think about any related skills or volunteer work that demonstrates your ability to perform the job. Be ready to discuss how these experiences make you a suitable candidate.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Food service roles often require working closely with others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in past jobs or projects, showcasing your ability to work as part of a team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the work environment, team dynamics, or training opportunities. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.