Cook

Duties The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Make the final check of patient trays assembled for completeness, correct food temperature, and to verify that food items on the tray are appropriate for the prescribed diet.
Perform simple cooking by preparing and cooking items that require little or no processing.
Operate, clean and follow safety procedures regarding the operation of equipment to avoid personal injury or damage to the equipment.
Clean, store, and maintain all kitchen utensils.
Clean and maintain all equipment and work areas after each use practicing a "clean as you go" concept.
Prepare food to proper temperatures and maintain quality control and food safety.
Enter patients' telephonic menu selections into a computerized system.
Provide patients with basic information about modified diets to help with menu selections such as carbohydrate counting.
Prepare individual, bulk nourishments and special feedings for patients.
Follow directions in assembling, measuring, weighing, or mixing ingredients for supplemental feedings.
Take nourishment inventories, replace expired bulk items, and label and distribute individual nourishments to appropriate patients or nursing stations.
Use portion control scales and measuring devices to apportion individual items according to standardized recipes.
Determine the quantities of ingredients needed to prepare required yields.
May act as employee in charge overseeing work area in absence of a supervisor.
Work Schedule: Intermittent, varies Sunday through Saturday to include early and late shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Hours as needed per scheduling.
Schedule determined upon hire.
Intermittent employees who are employed on an irregular or occasional basis, with hours or days of work not on a prearranged schedule, and with compensation only for the time actually employed or for services actually rendered.
Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99818S Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit Position: No Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Working Conditions: Performs work in areas of temperature extremes.
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.
Exposed to stems, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation.
Subject to hazards of cuts, bruises, strains, burns and falls in kitchen equipment.
Strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions may 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 physically 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 Conditions of Employment 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 Selected applicants will be required to complete a pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications Opening Date: October 02, 2023 Closing Date: September 30, 2024 First Cut-Off Date: October 16, 2023 NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement.
Qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur.
Eligible applications received after October 16, 2023 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
Final application disposition will be completed at the end of the open period stated in the announcement.
In addition, due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration.
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: 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.
Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department.
The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.
The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless.
With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.
01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.
e.
, medical, religious or pregnancy).
VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.
If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.
The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.
opm.
gov/.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.
This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.
WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.
Benefits A career with the U.
S.
government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Documents Accepted: Cover Letter Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Documents Required: Resume Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
You will not be contacted for additional information.
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online.
Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
How to Apply All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2024 to receive consideration.
To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.
usastaffing.
gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12135272.
1.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.
usajobs.
gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position.
The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information Natasha Koontz Phone (612) 467-1206 Email Natasha.
Koontz@va.
gov Address Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US Next steps After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents Documents Accepted: Cover Letter Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Documents Required: Resume Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
You will not be contacted for additional information.
Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Applications are accepted online.
Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
Help This job is open to Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Clarification from the agency ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.
201) for this occupation.