Summary

These positions are located at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center and the Hot Springs VA Medical Center. The WG-04 Cook prepares nutritious - high quality meals for service to the Veterans.

Qualifications

Opening Date: March 27 - 2025 Closing Date: April 28 - 2025 First Cut-Off Date: April 10 - 2025 NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur. Eligible applications received after April 10 - 2025 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. 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. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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): Prepares and cooks meals that require little or no processing - such as hot cereals - concentrated or dehydrated soups - sauces - and gravies Follows menus - production sheets - and recipes to proper items in the quantity needed Grills eggs - meat patties - pancakes - French toast
• broils meats
• makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches Prepares fresh - canned - and frozen vegetables
• bakes frozen potatoes - pre-made cookie dough - and muffin batters Prepares and heats convenience items such as frozen hash browns - fish fillets - and chicken nuggets
• Prepares purred foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners Washes - peels - and cuts fruits and vegetables
• assembles and mixes salad ingredients and dessert items - including gelatin molds and fruit crisps Weighs - measures - and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets Operates a variety of kitchen equipment and follows appropriate safety procedures Follows sanitary food handling procedures Disassembles and reassembles equipment for cleaning Cleans and sanitizes work areas - and performs deep cleaning tasks when needed Operates dish machine Performs other related duties Work Schedule: Work Schedule: Fort Meade - 6:00a-2:30p - 7:30a-4:00p - 10;30a-7:00p rotating days off
• Hot Springs - 5:30a-2:00p - 10:30a-7:00p rotating days off Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99819S Physical Requirements: Subject to continuous standing - walking - frequent bending - reaching - pushing and pulling
• Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs
• unassisted
• Manipulates cumbersome and heavy objects - such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls - pushing heavy carts on caster - or operating heavy equipment
• Manual dexterity needed to safely operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades
• Hand-eye coordination and ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment
• 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.