What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Service Worker position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Food Service Worker WG3 position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. The purpose of the position is to provide food service assistance in the Department. The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position. This announcement will be used to fill other vacancies.
Duties
Help
***If you ARE a current, permanent VA Employee, you should apply under the internal announcement OCA25-12749954-WG3FSW-CJ.***
This position is located at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI and is organizationally aligned under Nutrition and Food Services. The purpose of the position is to provide food service assistance in the Nutrition and Food Services Department.
Major WG3 duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
Work Schedule: 11:30am - 8:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays
Telework: Is not authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker WG3 99920S
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2025.
Basic Requirements:
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:
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.
Wage Grade 3 Food Service Workers
RESPONSIBILITY: Complete assignments individually or as part of a team under the general supervision of the immediate supervisor. Assignments are made either orally or in writing. Detailed instructions are provided only for special projects. The work involving diet tray assembly is usually performed as a team with the worker being expected to know the commonly used diets in order to place items on a tray. Completed diet trays are checked by a higher-level food service worker. Work involving actual food preparation is accomplished under the guidance of a cook who provides technical instruction and checks work in progress and upon completion for conformance with acceptable food service practices. Food service workers know daily routines and work from guides such as diet cards, tray tickets, menus, portion control charts, standardized recipes, and employee assignment sheets. Questions on unusual or difficult tasks are referred to a higher-grade worker or supervisor for clarification and advice. Work at this level is evaluated in terms of accuracy and timely completion of assignments.
PHYSICAL EFFORT: Perform work requiring light to moderate physical effort. They 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. They are subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. May be required to work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well-lighted but usually noisy from food service activities, and there is danger of slipping on floors where food or beverages have been dropped. Food service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces, and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING (ADP) SECURITY: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.
Education
Education Is Not Required For This Position.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 a current, permanent VA Employee, you should apply under the internal announcement OCA25-12749954-WG3FSW-CJ.***
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Help
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.
The Food Service Worker WG3 position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. The purpose of the position is to provide food service assistance in the Department. The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position. This announcement will be used to fill other vacancies.
Duties
Help
***If you ARE a current, permanent VA Employee, you should apply under the internal announcement OCA25-12749954-WG3FSW-CJ.***
This position is located at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI and is organizationally aligned under Nutrition and Food Services. The purpose of the position is to provide food service assistance in the Nutrition and Food Services Department.
Major WG3 duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Set up assigned station with the correct supplies and food items
- Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on
- customers'/patients'/residents' plates
- Break down and clean the station when assigned
- Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and
- replenish items as necessary
- Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room
- Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides and report the patients' comments and
- complaints to the supervisor or dietitian
- Prepare beverages according to the number of servings required
- Prepare fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches
- and simple cold desserts in specified quantities
- Sort, wash, peel and cut cold foods using knives or other equipment
- Provide assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure
- and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes
- Prepare uncooked food items, such as sandwich spread and salad dressings
- Operate and break down and clean all equipment assigned to food service and
- related areas
- Portion food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and
- specified dishware
- Prepare boxed/to go meals
- Select and place correct items on patient trays
- Read and interpret a regular or modified menu, individual diet cards, tray tickets or
- patient selections
- Identify obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items
- designated by the menu
- Decide what food items to serve for the most common diets
- Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas
- Separate food waste, trash/recyclables from dishes, glasses and silverware
- Unload food/tray delivery carts
- Store sanitized dishes, glasses and silverware
- Scrape, soak, scour, and scrub cookware and utensils
- Move garbage cans when collecting and transferring trash from the work area to
- the disposal area
- Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center
Work Schedule: 11:30am - 8:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays
Telework: Is not authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker WG3 99920S
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Pre-employment physical required
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2025.
Basic Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship: Must a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
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)
- Lead or Supervise
- Materials
- Technical Practices
- Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Work Practices
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.
Wage Grade 3 Food Service Workers
RESPONSIBILITY: Complete assignments individually or as part of a team under the general supervision of the immediate supervisor. Assignments are made either orally or in writing. Detailed instructions are provided only for special projects. The work involving diet tray assembly is usually performed as a team with the worker being expected to know the commonly used diets in order to place items on a tray. Completed diet trays are checked by a higher-level food service worker. Work involving actual food preparation is accomplished under the guidance of a cook who provides technical instruction and checks work in progress and upon completion for conformance with acceptable food service practices. Food service workers know daily routines and work from guides such as diet cards, tray tickets, menus, portion control charts, standardized recipes, and employee assignment sheets. Questions on unusual or difficult tasks are referred to a higher-grade worker or supervisor for clarification and advice. Work at this level is evaluated in terms of accuracy and timely completion of assignments.
PHYSICAL EFFORT: Perform work requiring light to moderate physical effort. They 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. They are subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. May be required to work on ladders and use powered cleaning equipment. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well-lighted but usually noisy from food service activities, and there is danger of slipping on floors where food or beverages have been dropped. Food service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces, and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING (ADP) SECURITY: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.
Education
Education Is Not Required For This Position.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 a current, permanent VA Employee, you should apply under the internal announcement OCA25-12749954-WG3FSW-CJ.***
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Help
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.
Food Service Worker - As Needed
Grant Regional Health Center -
Lancaster, WI
