This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service at the VA Illiana Health Care System, Danville, IL. The Cook prepares nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans. There are sequence of steps requiring attention to work operations, sanitation and safety; work assignments may require knowledge and judgment. This position is involved in the preparation of regular or special diet foods and meals including cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and other foods.

Duties

Food preparation Prepare regular or special diet foods and meals Cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and vegetables and making soups, gravies sauces, desserts, and other foods Washes, peels and cuts fruits and vegetables by hand or machine Weighs, measures, assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets. Covers, dates, and stores leftovers according to established local policies/procedures Cleans, stores and maintains all kitchen utensils, equipment and work areas practicing a "clean as you go" concept. Cleans ovens, combi oven/steamer, slicer, mixer, steam kettles, grill daily. Collects trash, sorts, and prepares items for recycling Cleans floors, walls, shelves as assigned. Maintain accurate food inventories Work Schedule: Part-time / 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm with rotating weekends / 2 positions available Position Description Title/PD#: Cook Part-Time/PD99818S Physical Effort: Subject to continuous standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing and pulling. Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs. unassisted and occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing more than 40 lbs. with assistance of a lifting device or other workers. Manipulates cumbersome, heavy objects, such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls, pushing heavy carts on casters or operating heavy equipment. Possesses manual dexterity to operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades safely. Utilizes eye-hand coordination and the ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment. Working Conditions: Performs work in areas of extremes of temperature, such as walk-in refrigeration or freezing units. Work is carried out in kitchen/dish room areas that are often hot, uncomfortable and noisy. Environment includes exposure to extreme cold while working in walk-in refrigerators and freezers for extended periods of time to complete duties. Works with other cooks, food service workers and supervisors. Is exposed to steam, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation. Is subject to hazards of cuts, bruises, strains, burns and falls in kitchen environment. Uses strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions which may frequently be skin and respiratory irritants. Performs work in patient care settings where there may be exposure to contagious disease. May have contact with patients who demonstrate verbally and/or physical aggressive behavior. Required to wear proper hair covering and clean uniform. Wear disposable gloves when handling food for service and proper protective equipment when completing cleaning activities.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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. Your background must demonstrate the following: experience in a variety of cook duties such as preparation of regular and/or special diet foods and meals; cooking meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, and vegetables; making soups, gravies, sauces, desserts, and other foods; knowledge and use of standardized recipes and menus with personal knowledge and experience to measure, assemble, mix ingredients, regulate cooking temperatures, and add seasoning to foods; knowledge and skill to design and prepare decorated foods and aesthetic food arrangements; and knowledge of food storage, safety and sanitation procedures and a broad knowledge of food service and food production operations such as food preparation and serving. Prioritizing tasks based on food safety and patient needs, handling food under sanitary conditions to prevent cross contamination, and understanding of food/drug interactions and food allergens. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal SupervisionAbility to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and EquipmentDexterity and SafetyKnowledge of MaterialsTechnical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order) 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Danville VA Medical Center 1900 East Main Street Danville, IL 61832 US
• Name: Tudie Kuiper
• Phone: 217-920-7030
• Email: [email protected]