The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has adopted the Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) Modernization Initiative which is a new model of organizing and consolidating essential Nutrition and Food Service functions and services to the Medical Center. This streamlined and focused approach moves VHA forward in its continuum of providing comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated care to Veterans.
Food Preparation - Works independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free, etc.) entrees and dessert items. - Follows menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed. - Cooks hot cereals, concentrated or dehydrated soups, sauces, gravies.
- Grills eggs, hamburgers, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches. - Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling - Slices meat items by hand confirming to specific size requirements or weight specifications.
Food Safety/Sanitation - Follows sanitary food handling procedures; covers, labels and dates food items; utilize or discard ingredients by expiration date. - Disassembles and assembles component parts and accessories for cleaning. - Cleans, stores and maintains all kitchen utensils, equipment and work areas practicing a "clean as you go" concept. - Cleans and sanitizes assigned work areas: worktables, sinks, blast chillers, racks, carts.
- Achieves certification in food safety such as ServSafe and is able to apply knowledge of food safety, food temperatures, etc. - Operates dish machine; checks detergent level and water temperature before washing and sanitizing cook's equipment. Checks equipment to make sure it is free of food residue and soap. Food Storage - Receives, rotates and stores perishable and non-perishable items according to service policies. Removes outdated or damaged goods from stock.
- Labels all food items with contents and dates per labeling guidelines. - Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients accurately and according to standardized recipes or requisitions. - Monitor and maintain proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling and shelving to ensure adequate air flow and spacing of products for optimal food safety. - Monitor for signs of pest notifying the appropriate individual as determined by your local policy.
Work Schedule: 530a-200p/1030a-700p sun-sat and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99818S Physical Requirements: Is subject to continuous standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling. - Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs. unassisted and occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing more than 40 lbs. with assistance of a lifting device or other workers.
- Manipulates cumbersome, heavy objects, such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls, pushing heavy carts on casters or operating heavy equipment. - Possesses manual dexterity to operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades safely. - Utilizes eye-hand coordination and the ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment.
Israel.Washington1@va.gov · 5618751340
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $21.94 – $25.64/hr.
Applications close on 2026-09-24.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
Apply on official site →