Cook

• Independently prepares all types of food for regular and modified diets.
• Prepares cooks seasons and portions food for all meals so that the completed food products are ready at the appropriate temperature and time and are visually appealing to customers.
• Prepares menu items using special or difficult recipes that require numerous interrelated steps many ingredients and lengthy preparation time.
• Calculates and determines serving portions from quantities of food issued to include meats poultry seafood vegetables fruits sauces and gravies for regular and modified diets.
• Coordinates the cooking of items prepared by other cooks at one or more work centers.
• Grills eggs meat patties pancakes French toast; broils meats; 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.
• Slices meat items by hand confirming to specific size requirements or weight specifications.
• Prepares fresh canned and frozen vegetables; bakes frozen potatoes pre-made cookie dough and muffin batters
• Prepares and heats convenience items and prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners.
• Washes peels and cuts fruits and vegetables; assembles and mises salad ingredients and dessert items including gelatin molds and fruit crisps.
• Makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers brownies cookies and pastries.
• Tests and evaluates new food products.
• Develops and modifies standardized recipes.
• Advises lower grade food service workers and cooks on tray assembly issues dishwashing procedures and quality control issues such as plating techniques tray arrangements and practices to maintain temperatures and safety of food.
• Performs other related duties

Work Schedule: 6:00 am to 2:30 pm rotating days/holidays/weekends
Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99817S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Physical Effort: 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 irritants. Performs work in patient care settings

• 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
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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 drivers 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 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.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/18/2026.

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)
• 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.