Demo

Cook

Columbia VA Health Care System
Columbia, SC Other
POSTED ON 6/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/5/2026
This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn DVAMC. The prmary purpose of the person in this position is to prepare nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans.

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:

Physical Requirements: Work requiring continual standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing and pulling, and bending. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) unassisted, and occasionally lift or move objects weighing over 18 kilograms (40 pounds) with the assistance of lifting devices or other workers.

Responsibilities:

The person in this position organizes and coordinates the work of lower grade cooks at one or more work centers in a production kitchen in order to accomplish a variety of quantity cooking operations. Major duties and responsibilities include:
  • Independently prepares all types of food for regular and modified diets
  • Prepares, cooks, seasons, and portions food for all meals so that the completed food products are ready at the appropriate temperature and time and are visually appealing to customers
  • Prepares menu items using special or difficult recipes that require numerous interrelated steps, many ingredients, and lengthy preparation time
  • Calculates and determines serving portions from quantities of food issued to include meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, fruits, sauces, and gravies for regular and modified diets
  • Coordinates the cooking of items prepared by other cooks at one or more work centers
  • Grills eggs, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; broils meats; 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
  • Prepares fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables; bakes frozen potatoes, pre-made cookie dough, and muffin batters
  • Prepares and heats convenience items, and prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners
  • Washes, peels, and cuts fruits and vegetables; assembles and mixes salad ingredients and dessert items, including gelatin molds and fruit crisps
  • Makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies, and pastries
  • Tests and evaluates new food products
  • Develops and modifies standardized recipes
  • Advises lower grade food service workers and cooks on tray assembly issues, dishwashing procedures, and quality control issues, such as plating techniques, tray arrangements, and practices to maintain temperatures

Work Schedule: Five days per week, Sunday-Saturday with varying workdays. Hours may vary from: 05:30am- 2:00pm, 7:00am - 3:30pm, 10:30am - 7:00pm. Some weekend and holiday shifts may be required depending on the needs of the hiring service.
Position Description Title/PD#: Cook / 99817S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Salary : $25

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