Cook Supervisor

Summary

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in the Nutrition and Food Service (N&FS) department. The primary purpose of this position is to plan, produce, direct, coordinate and monitor all phases of food production. In the absence of the Food Service Section Supervisor, the employee is responsible for the operation of both the Food Production/Service areas and the administrative duties within those areas.

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Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Performs work planning responsibilities. (30%)

• Coordinates/directs the operation of the Food Service/Production areas using standards, procedures, diet manuals, modified menus and production sheets to guide the work.
• Establishes deadlines, priorities, and work sequences based on general work schedules, methods, and policies set by higher level supervisors.
• Coordinates work with supporting or related work functions controlled by other supervisors.
• Uses resources to operate within a planned financial budget.
• Shares in the managerial responsibility for the proper supervision of labor, allocation of subsistence and supplies, and all other resources required to accomplish quality Veteran centered meal services.
• Participates in meetings and discussions regarding initial planning of current and future work schedules, budget requests, staffing needs, estimates, and recommendations as to scheduling projected work.
• Prepares performance requirements and work schedules in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Provides technical direction and training when scheduling work operations with complex work steps and processes.
• Investigates work-related issues such as excessive costs or low productivity, and determines causes.
• Performs as first-level supervisor over Cooks WG-7404-04 and WG-7404-06.

Performs work direction responsibilities. (30%)

• Incumbent prepares performance requirements and work schedules in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Provides technical direction and training when scheduling work operations with complex work steps and processes.
• Investigates work- related issues such as excessive costs or low productivity and determines causes.
• Implements corrective actions within authority to resolve identified work issues.
• Recommends solutions to staffing issues, engineering requirements, and work operations directed by other supervisors.

Performs administration responsibilities. (30%)

• Develops, documents and evaluates standards of work performance in development of performance plans.
• Observes subordinate employees' work and ability to follow instructions, provides suggestions and guidance as required.
• Prepares employee annual performance evaluations; recommends employees for Incentive/Special Contribution Awards.
• Interviews applicants for positions in Food Production/Service areas and recommends appropriate selections for hiring, promotion and re-assignments of employees.
• Investigates grievances and complaints per bargaining unit agreements, resolving them where possible, and notifies supervisors of those of sufficient importance or seriousness.

Performs duties in front line production/service when necessary due to staffing limitations, etc. (10%)

• Works independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free, etc.) entrees and dessert items.
• Follows menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed.
• Cooks hot cereals, concentrated or dehydrated soups, sauces, gravies.
• Grills eggs, hamburgers, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches.
• Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Nature of Supervisory Responsibility:

Supervisors are responsible for supervising workers directly in accomplishing the work of an organizational segment or group. The scope and complexity of planning work operations include determining the sequence, priority, and time for the performance of particular operations within the limits of broad work schedules and time limits and exercising greater administrative authority. The work is planned on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis. Investigates work related problems such as excessive costs or low productivity and determines causes. Implements corrective actions within authority to resolve work problems. Plans and establishes overall leave schedule. Determines training needs of subordinates and arrange for its accomplishment, set performance standards, and make formal appraisals of subordinate work performance. Initiate recommendations for promotion or reassignment of subordinates.

Work Schedule: Rotating shifts including weekends and holidays

Telework: Not Available

Position Description Title/PD#: Cook Supervisor/PD99820S

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Physical Examination: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 09/03/2026.

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.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Is subject to continuous standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs. unassisted and occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing more than 40 lbs. with assistance of a lifting device or other workers.
• Manipulates cumbersome, heavy objects, such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls, pushing heavy carts on casters or operating heavy equipment. Possesses manual dexterity to operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades safely.
• Utilizes eye-hand coordination and the ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment.
• Performs work in areas of extremes of temperature, such as walk-in refrigeration or freezing units. 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.
• Is exposed to steam, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation.
• Is subject to hazards of cuts, bruises, strains, burns and falls in kitchen environment.
• Uses strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions which may frequently 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 physical 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. 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 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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.