Food Service Worker

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, OK.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2026.

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
• Follow Directions
• Handle Weights and Loads
• Reliability And Dependability
• Special Aptitude - Food Service Work
• 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.

Responsibilities:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. This announcement may close without advanced notice.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Cleans serving areas by sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning/sanitizing work surfaces, and other food service equipment, such as refrigerators, toaster, and coffee machines;
• Cleans production equipment including steam jacketed kettles, tilt skillets, etc. using appropriate and safe sanitation techniques;
• Loads and operates dishwashers and cart washing station;
• Performs necessary preventative maintenance on equipment;
• Transports tray carts to wards and individually delivers trays directly to the patient's bedside or assists patients with transport of their meal trays;
• Sets-up serving areas with hot and cold foods, keeping foods appropriately stocked during meal service;
• Identifies discrepancies between the prescribed diet and/or listed food allergies and the food items listed on the tray ticket;
• Assembles a variety of items while working in cold food preparation and nourishment area;
• Make cold sandwiches using prepared ingredients;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full time or Part time; Work schedule will be determined upon selection.
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99921-S and PD99921A
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year: 13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Remote: This is not a remote position
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Physical Requirements: Physical Effort and Work Conditions: Work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. Performs work requiring light to moderate physical. May be required to perform heavy work, such as scouring and scrubbing large size cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing, and delivering supplies. Subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.

Salary : $417