Job Details
** Cook**
**Department of Veterans Affairs**
** VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT**
**Location**
1 vacancy in the following location:
** Relocation expenses reimbursed**
No
** Telework eligible**
No
**Duties**
** Summary**
The Nutrition and Food Services with VA Connecticut Health Care System is seeking a Cook WG - 04 to join their team. A qualified candidate will apply knowledge of specialized procedures in food preparation , food safety ,sanitation measures , inventory control and storeroom duties to perform their daily duties.
**Responsibilities**
The Nutrition and Food Service at VA Connecticut provides nutritional care to the veteran patient population that utilize services of the medical center. A team of approximately 75 staff coordinate efforts to deliver educational guidance to veteran patients as well as nutritious meals . This team consists of a variety of occupations including Clinical Dietitians, Dietetic Health Technicians, Cooks, Food Service Workers, a Management Team and a Budget Technician.
**The Nutrition and Food Service at VA Connecticut is seeking a qualified candidate to join their team as a Cook WG-04. The duties of the Cook WG-04 include but are not limited to :**
+ Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets
+ Cleans and sanitizes work areas, and performs deep cleaning tasks when needed
+ Makes precise measurements and weights in preparing recipes and portioning food
+ Prepares and heats convenience items such as frozen hash browns, fish fillets, and chicken nuggets
+ Uses simple arithmetic, such as multiplying and dividing ingredients in a recipe when preparing food items for the correct serving amount
+ Performs a full range of simple cooking by preparing and cooking items that require little or no processing
+ Prepares fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables
+ Follow menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed
+ Covers, dates, and stores food leftovers according to established local policies/procedures
+ Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets or allergies.
+ Operates a variety of kitchen equipment.
+ Disassembles and reassembles equipment for cleaning
+ Operates industrial dish washing machine.
+ Monitors and maintains proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling, and shelving to ensure adequate air flow and spacing of products for optimal food safety
+ Prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners
+ Washes, peels, and cuts fruits and vegetables
+ Follows appropriate safety procedures in operating a variety of kitchen equipment
+ Follows sanitary food handling procedures
+ Applies knowledge of sanitation principles to safeguard food against spoilage and waste
+ Rotates and stores perishable and non-perishable items according to service policies. Removes outdated or damaged goods from stock.
+ Labels all food items with contents, lot #"s, dates.
+ Weighs, measures and assemble ingredients accurately and according to standardized recipes or requisitions.
+ Monitors and maintains proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling and shelving to ensure adequate air flow and spacing of products for optimal food safety.
+ Monitors for signs of pest and notifies the supervisor if any are found.
+ Takes inventory and maintains accurate food inventories
+ Maintains strict security in all areas (refrigerators/freezers/store rooms)
+ HACCP - follows HACCP principles, Policies and Procedures for food handling, infection control, Joint Commission, VHA Standards, OSHA Serv Safe, FDA/State Specific Food Code
+ Other duties as assigned.
**Promotion Potential:** This position is at the full performance level .
**Work Schedule:** **6:00AM -2:30PM, 11:00AM-7:30PM or other to meet department needs, ROTATING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS**
**Com****pressed/Flexible Schedule:** Not available
**Position Description Title/PD#:**Cook , PD99819S
**Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:** Not authorized **Travel Required**
Not required
** Supervisory status**
No
** Promotion Potential**
4
**Requirements**
** Conditions of Employment**
+ You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
+ Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
+ Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
+ You may be required to serve a probationary period
+ Subject to a background/security investigation
+ Pre-employment physical required
+ 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, 05/25/2021.
**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 .
**SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT:** Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which is Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision .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:
+ Work Practices: Work Practices (including keeping things neat, clean, and in order)
+ Technical Practices:(theoretical, precise, artistic)
+ Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
+ Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
+ Knowledge of Materials
+ Dexterity and Safety
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:** 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.
**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 irr