Cook

Summary

Positions are located at Standing Rock Detention Fort Yates, ND; Lower Brule Detention Lower Brule, SD; Eastern Nevada Agency Owyhee, NV; and Fort Belknap Detention Harlem, MT.

This position is also open to the public under announcement DE-26-12997957-CAWV-SM. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

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Duties

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As Cook, WG-7404, your typical work assignments may include, but not limited to:

• Perform a wide variety of food processing and cooking tasks to prepare regular and special diet entrees.
• Ensure the proper procedures are used in the storage and handling of food.
• Plan meal preparations and processes to ensure food is done on time and at the right temperature.
• Instruct the Food Service Worker in the receipt, check, or issuance of subsistence and on subsistence items, as well as the proper handling and storage of food.
• Maintain inventory and operation of food service appliances and equipment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• 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 your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• Incumbent is required to operate a government motor vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the 4 year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607.
• Selectees must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to determine if they are maintaining the fitness standards for this position.
• Drug Testing. This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards).

Applicants must meet the qualification requirements contained in the OPM Standards. For this position, they are listed below.

The applicant must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Handbook X118C, Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations. The applicant must have sufficient training and experience to be trusted to perform duties on their own initiative under general supervision.

While no specific amount of experience is required, you must show that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. The approved job elements for this occupation are:

1. Ability to perform the duties of a Cook without more than normal supervision

2. Ability to use tools and maintain equipment

3. Work practices

4. Technical Practices

5. Knowledge of materials

6. Ability to interpret instructions

7. Dexterity and Safety

Physical Demands

Work requires continual standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing and pulling, and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted, and occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing over 40 pounds with the assistance of lifting devices or other workers.

Working Conditions

The work is performed in kitchen areas which are well lighted but are often hot and noisy. The incumbent is exposed to steam, fumes, and odors from cooking and to extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration or freezing units. There is danger of slipping on wet floors that have been recently mopped or where food has been spilled. Subject to possible cuts from knives and burns from steam, hot foods, stove and hot grease and water.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Fort Yates, North Dakota; Harlem, Montana; Lower Brule, South Dakota; Owyhee, Nevada. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.

The full performance level of this position is None. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed.

The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will 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.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. 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.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit:

SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY: Certain candidates may be eligible to apply under a special hiring authority including those for disabled individuals, Peace Corps employees, Foreign Service employees, veterans, etc. For more information, visit the following OPM websites: USAJOBS Information Center: Vets Info Guide:

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.

Related non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). For additional information, please visit: Creditable Service for Annual Leave

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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.