About this role
Job SummaryThe Long Beach VA Health Care System is recruiting for various Cook positions in the Nutrition & Food Service. The incumbent will prepare nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans. Welcome to VA Long Beach Tibor Rubin - History
QualificationsTo 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.
Major DutiesDuties may include, but are not limited to: Performs a variety of simple cooking tasks with little processing Performs a variety of simple cooking tasks by preparing and cooking items that require little or no processing Prepares food by washing, peeling, chopping, grinding, cutting, slicing, dicing, pureeing, flouring, breading and paring Readies all fresh fruit and vegetables and combines ingredients according to salad recipes Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for recipes. Prepares all kinds of hot cereals; prepares and cooks frozen convenience, concentrated or dehydrated soups, gravies, and sauces Makes cold salads and sandwich fillings Prepares pureed foods and convenience foods Prepares fresh, cut or frozen vegetables, and simple desserts, including baking cookies from pre-portioned frozen dough Mixes ingredients according to precisely recipes that produce quality products Cooks food according to times and temperatures prescribed in recipes or per manufacturer instructions Operates a variety of kitchen equipment that utilizes gas, steam, electricity or microwave heat sources Seeks guidance from supervisor if prescribed times or temperatures seem inconsistent with specific equipment or otherwise affect the quality Follows established procedures to portion foods for distribution and meal service Prepares garnishes as assigned. May prepare individual and bulk nourishment and special feedings Ensures lower graded workers use proper procedures when assisting with simple food preparation Covers, dates, and stores food according to established standard operating procedures Dates packages or containers Ensures that foods are stored at the correct temperatures to prevent bacteria growth Follows established food handling procedures, rotates stock to prevent spoilage, ensuring first-in/first-out issue Ensures covered and stored food is easily accessible Work Schedule: Various shifts and tours of duty to include weekends and holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99819S Physical Requirements: The Cook requires continual standing and walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, and bending. Repetitive motion for long periods. Frequently lift or move objects and push/pull carts weighing (or requiring the force of) up to 40 pounds unassisted. Regularly lift or move objects over 40 pounds with the assistance of pallet jacks or other workers. Push heavy carts and trucks during unloading, storing, and delivering food and supplies. To minimize risk of work related injury, the food service worker adheres to safe, ergonomic work practices including bending at knees to lift, pushing (not pulling) carts or other equipment, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and following all established safety standards.RequirementsU.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.