At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve food, set up dining areas, and maintain cleanliness in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, dedicated to serving those who served our country.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a difference while gaining valuable experience in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: No specific experience required; just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!
- Other info: Part-time position with opportunities for growth and development.
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Join to apply for the Food Service Worker Part Time role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range
This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
$21.13/hr – $24.66/hr
Summary
This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the Northampton VA Medical Center within VISN 1. This position is for part time at 16 hrs.
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Duties
Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- 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
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Part-time, schedule will be based on facility needs.
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker Part Time/ PD99836S
Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
Notifications:
- This position is a Bargaining Unit position.
- This position is in the Competitive Service
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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: 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)
- 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/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.
Education
Substitution of Education: There is no educational substitution for this position.
Additional information
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM\’s Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee\’s credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Important Notice Regarding Identification Requirements For New Hires
Effective May 7, 2025, all new hires must present a valid, unexpired REAL ID-compliant driver\’s license or a U.S. passport during the onboarding process.Please note that standard (non-REAL ID) driver\’s licenses or state-issued ID cards will NOT be accepted. In most states, REAL ID-compliant credentials are marked with a star symbol in the corner.
We encourage applicants to consult their local RMV/DMV for information on how to obtain a REAL ID.
Important: The absence of a REAL ID or passport does NOT disqualify you from applying or being selected for this position, however it could delay your future start date.
Read more
- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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Food Service Worker Part Time 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 Part Time
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of a Food Service Worker, especially those mentioned in the job description. Understanding tasks like serving food cafeteria style and cleaning assigned areas will help you demonstrate your readiness for the role during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have in food service or similar environments. Even if it's volunteer work, showcasing your ability to handle food preparation, customer service, or kitchen maintenance 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 continuous standing and moving, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed similar physical demands in past jobs.
✨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 being part of their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Service Worker Part Time
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 customer service experience. Include specific examples of tasks you've performed that relate to the job, such as serving food, cleaning, or working in a team environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Mention why you want to work for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and how your skills make you a great fit for the position.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, make sure to proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A clean, error-free application reflects attention to detail and professionalism.
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 genuine interest in the position.
✨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 your past experiences can translate into success in this role.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Food service roles often require working closely with others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in previous jobs or projects. This will show that you're a team player, which is crucial in a kitchen environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the team, work environment, or expectations for the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you determine if the job is the right fit for you.