The Cook position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service of the Seattle Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Nutrition and Food Services is responsible for providing meals and nutritional care to Veteran patients at the Medical Center. The primary purpose of the Cook, is to prepare nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans.
The position has a sequence of steps that require attention to work operations, sanitation and safety; work assignments may require knowledge and judgment.
Duties include but are not limited to: Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets. Cleans and sanitizes work areas, and performs deep cleaning tasks when needed. Makes precise measurements and weights in in preparing recipes and portioning food. Independently prepares and cooks a variety of items in accordance to therapeutic diet needs, such as diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free and other diets.
Uses simple arithmetic, such as multiplying and dividing ingredients in a recipe when preparing food items for the correct serving amount. Performs a full range of simple cooking by preparing and cooking items that require little or no processing. Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling.
Follow menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed. Covers, dates, and stores food leftovers according to established local policies/procedures. Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets. Operates industrial dish washing machine. Operates a variety of kitchen equipment. Disassembles and reassembles equipment for cleaning. Makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies, and pastries.
Monitors and maintains proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling, and shelving to ensure adequate air flow and spacing of products for optimal food safety. Prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners. Washes, peels, and cuts fruits and vegetables. Applies knowledge of sanitation principles to safeguard food against spoilage and waste. Follows appropriate safety procedures in operating a variety of kitchen equipment.
Follows sanitary food handling procedures. Work Schedule: Tour of duty to be discussed in interview Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99819S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized PHYSICAL EFFORT - 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.
WORKING CONDITIONS - Performs work in areas of extremes of temperature. Work is carried out in kitchen/dish room areas that are often hot, uncomfortable and noisy. Environment includes exposure to extreme cold while working in walk-in refrigerators and freezers for extended periods of time to complete duties. Works with other cooks, food service workers and supervisors. - Is exposed to steam, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation.
- Is subject to hazards of cuts, bruises, strains, burns and falls in kitchen environment. - Uses strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions which may frequently be skin and respiratory irritants. - Performs work in patient care settings where there may be exposure to contagious disease. May have contact with patients who demonstrate verbally and /or physical aggressive behavior. - Required to wear proper hair covering and clean uniform.
Wear disposable gloves when handling food for service and proper protective equipment when completing cleaning activities.
Danielle.Callinder@va.gov · 253-582-8440 X75465
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $26.18 – $30.51/hr.
Applications close on 2026-09-03.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
Apply on official site →