Food Service Worker

Summary This Food Service Worker Leader position is located within the Nutrition and Food Service at the Western New York Health Care System facility in Buffalo, New York. Responsibilities Duties include: Communicates instructions and information about getting work started and accomplished. Communicates with supervisors, managers and employees about problems and events, and actively participates in the implementation of problem resolution after obtaining needed information or decisions from supervisors and/or managers. Leads the activities of the production and service areas. Leads food production activities in the absence of a Supervisor or Food Production Manager. May work along with employees so that proper work methods are demonstrated, and the pace of the work can be established and sustained. Adheres to facility customer service standards. In the absence of a Supervisor, follows up on patient feedback as needed, to assure high quality patient/customer service is maintained. Provides on the job training to lower graded food service workers and documents training provided. Completes safety and sanitation inspection check lists of the food service and food production areas, documents problems, and initiates action to resolve them. This includes advising and communicating to employees' instructions for accomplishing corrective actions. Reviews the daily work assignment sheets and makes adjustments in assignments and work sequence as necessary so that work coverage is provided, and employees are kept busy and productive. Checks work in progress and ensures that when finished it complies with instructions on work sequence, procedures (SOP's), quality, and deadlines. Ensures that the food production and service areas are properly set up with all food and/or supplies in a timely manner to avoid delays in service. Works food service positions as needed. Incumbent may receive food and supply deliveries when necessary. Reviews diet changes prior to tray line, making appropriate adjustments on individual patient tray tickets. Performs final check of trays for proper temperature and accuracy as indicated on tray ticket. Observes the daily activities and work performance of employees and provides information to supervisors for performance appraisals and other evaluations. Recommends training needs of employees and reports disciplinary problems. Assures that safety regulations are being followed. Assists first line supervisors in completing accident reports. Assures proper food handling techniques are used and all employees use good personal hygiene. Ensures sanitation policies and procedures are followed and all NFS work areas are clean and orderly at the end of the tour worked. Enters work order requests promptly for equipment needing repair. Communicates with supervisors leave requests made by employees. Coordinates coverage for unscheduled sick leave, emergency annual leave to ensure that the most essential and necessary work is accomplished in all areas of food production and service. Verifies attendance as needed. Oversees employee activities to ensure that diet orders are processed in time for meal service, tray tickets are reviewed, and foods are portioned and served properly, on schedule, and in a sanitary and attractive manner. Participates in the Nutrition and Food Service Performance Improvement Program. Documents quality improvement data. Participates in special projects for the Service, as assigned. Utilizes computer printouts to communicate food preparation requirements. Processes diet changes, tray tickets, supplemental feedings, food tallies, and menu changes, enters food preferences and standing orders, communicating discrepancies to the dietitian. Records on the daily census report meals served and other workload data. Open and/or close Nutrition and Food Service kitchen and other work areas according to security procedures. Monitors and records refrigerator/freezer temperatures and ensures food items are labeled, dated and stored properly. Monitors and records food temperatures before, during and after meal service. Evaluates food prior to service (including temperature, taste and appearance). Assumes responsibility for the security and safety of the kitchen and work areas when a supervisor is not available or on duty. Serves as relief for first line supervisors during employee shortages and emergency situations. Work Schedule: 6:00 AM-2:30 PM or 10:30 AM-7:00 PM. Will be discussed during interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99919S Physical Requirements: The Work leader performs 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 sitting, standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation 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 Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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 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 Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. 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 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.