Food Service Worker

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Bedford Healthcare System within VISN 1.

THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY:
This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205 (b) "(1)-(4)" for this occupation.

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 Environment:
Work is performed in a hospital and involves some exposure to contagious diseases. Standard precautions may necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in situations of potential exposure. The employee must observe ergonomics pertaining to working in an office setting with electrical and stationary equipment. Employee must be alert to wet floors, gas, steam, electrical equipment, and general safety precautions including correct lifting techniques/proper body mechanics in all potential work areas.

Discomfort may exist due to changes in temperature [between cold and hot] and/or humidity [between low & high].

Work Schedule:

Full-time, schedule will be based on facility needs.

Position Description Title/PD#:
Food Service Worker/ PD99921S

Relocation Incentive:
Not Authorized

Notifications:

* THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on February 2, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about October 30, 2025 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled. Please see the "What To Expect Next" area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement.