Cook

SummaryThe position is at the full performance level located in the Dept. of Veterans Affairs at SDVAMC, La Jolla in the Nutrition and Food Service Dept. The primary purpose of the WG-6 Cook is to perform a wide variety of food processing and cooking tasks to prepare regular and special diet foods for Veteran inpatients, including all varieties of texture modifications. This position prepares bulk quantities or individual servings for morning, noon and evening meals, late meals.ResponsibilitiesDuties include but are not limited to: Working independently, prepares a full variety of food items for Regular and Special Diets following standardized recipes and cooking techniques. Performs a wide variety of food processing and cooking methods to accommodate regular and modified diet menus including roasting, broiling, baking, frying, boiling, steaming and stewing. The work requires standard cooking techniques and requires adjusting standard recipes for yield, consistency and taste. Calculates amounts of food needed and adjusts the recipes for quantity needed based on census and other data. Processes (slices, grinds, cuts, peels, purees, flours/breads) foods, weighs ingredients, or prepares fresh fruits and vegetables for cooking. Mixes ingredients from scratch for soups, broths, gravies, and sauces. Prepares raw and cooked salads; makes sandwiches, cold plates, dressings, and prepares gelatin, desserts, custards and other simple desserts. Heats and serves convenience foods, using staggered cooking techniques (Batch Cooking). Adapts preparation methods in relation to equipment changes or emergency situations. Prepares food with minimum loss of nutrients. Loads, serves, and replenishes hot tables as assigned making sure lines are continuously replenished. Slices meats to conform to specific size or weight requirements. Performs yield testing of recipes to determine serving weight or volume after preparation and gather other test data to assist management in making purchasing and menu pricing decisions. Cooks food to the designated temperature and maintains proper temperature for food holding, transport, reheating and serving to meet quality assurance and food safety standards. Distributes food to serving area according to schedule. Properly presents cold foods. Carves and uses colorful fruits and vegetables as garnishes.As assigned, works in the Special Diagnostic and Treatment Unit (SDTU) as necessary for proper coverage. Duties include but are not limited to: Accurately weighs individual portions of foods on the laboratory scales, as well as supplemental portions of specified nutrients. Measures liquid items that are not weighed in a graduated cylinder. Weights and measures formula diet and prepares special recipes with the same meticulous techniques and repeatable accuracy. Cooks individually weighed portions of food according to recipes provided. Covers, Labels and Dates all items prepared and discards outdated items. Coordinates production of all meal items so patient tray service time is consistent on a daily basis.Assembles trays using techniques to prevent any loss of weighed food items during preparation and service. Checks, serves and picks up trays from patients on studies. Reports unconsumed food to nurse or dietitian, and labels and saves it for analysis as required. Washes dishes in dishwasher. Assures sanitation and cleanliness of unit. Inventories all food and supplies and procures and stores as needed food and supplies. Keeps all necessary records Work Schedule: Full Time 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM with rotating days off - OT/Shift/Weekends/HolidaysPosition Description Title/PD#: Cook/ PD# 12118-ARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorizedRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/07/2020. 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 SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)Technical PracticesUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout more than normal supervisionWork 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. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Work requires continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, stretching, pulling and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs. unassisted, and occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing over 40 lbs. with the assistance of lifting devices or other workers.Work is performed in kitchen areas which are well lighted but are often hot and noisy. The incumbent is exposed to steam, fumes and odors from cooking and to extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration and freezer units.EducationAdditional InformationThe Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Financial disclosure not required. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.