Food Service Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Lyons, NJ

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$23.52–$27.46 Per Hour
SKILLS
Blueprints, Code of Federal Regulations, Cook Dishes, Department of Veterans Affairs, Dietetics, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Federal Assistance, Federal Government, Fitness, Food Delivery, Food Services, Food and Beverage Industry, Government, Government Organizations, HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure), Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, Legal, Nutrition, Onboarding, Operational Support, Operations Security (OPSEC), Peace Corps, Physical Demands, Publications, Refrigeration, Regulations, Training/Teaching, United States Citizen, Volunteer Experience, Waitressing
LOCATION
Lyons, NJ
POSTED
30+ days ago

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Food Service Worker

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration

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  • Summary
  • This job is open to
  • Duties
  • Requirements
  • How you will be evaluated
  • Required documents
  • How to apply

Summary

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position.

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the NJ VA Medical Center - East Orange and Lyons Campuses. The incumbents will be required to perform their duties at both campuses as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position.

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the NJ VA Medical Center - East Orange and Lyons Campuses. The incumbents will be required to perform their duties at both campuses as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

05/12/2026 to 09/14/2026

Salary $23.52 - $27.46 per hour Pay scale & grade WG 3

Locations

many vacancies in the following locations:

East Orange, NJ

Lyons, NJ

Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Not required Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Multiple Schedules Service Competitive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

  • 7408 Food Service Working

Supervisory status No Security clearance Other Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status Yes

Announcement number OCA-12957838-26-JMG Control number 868898200

This job is open to

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. This is an open continuous announcement until September 13th, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

  • Sets up and breaks down assigned station with the correct supplies and food items;
  • Portions food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware
  • Selects and places correct items on patient trays
  • Decides what food items to serve for the most common diets
  • Identifies obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items
  • designated by the menu
  • Sets up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary;
  • Delivers meal trays to the patients bedsides; reporting the patients comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian;
  • Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes;
  • Prepares fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts;
  • Reads and interprets regular or modified menus, individual diet cards, tray tickets or patient selections
  • Performs heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas;
  • Performing other duties as assigned

Perform other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Varied hours, alternating weekends and holidays. This position requires rotation between the East Orange and Lyons Campuses to support operational needs and ensure coverage

Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD999205 and PD99920S

Physical Requirements: Work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. Food service workers are regularly exposed to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades, hot working surfaces and extreme temperature changes when entering walk-in refrigeration units. Performs work requiring light to moderate physical effort. 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. Subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.

This is an open continuous announcement until September 13, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
  • 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.

USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.

Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job 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)
  • 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

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 OPMs Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

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 employees 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.

Expand Hide additional information

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.

Benefits

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

The department may post a single vacancy announcement for all areas of consideration but must considered the referred candidates in the following order:

  • FIRST: Facility wide (including satellites) except for VACO unit positions, GS 12 and above, the area of consideration may be expanded.
  • SECOND- Administration of staff office posting the vacancy.
  • THIRD-The department or from any other appropriate source.

Benefits

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.

Required documents

Required Documents

Help

Documents Accepted:

  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:

  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

Help

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/14/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12957838.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Jennifer Gerken

Phone 585-837-0059 Email jennifer.gerken@va.gov Address VA New Jersey Health Care System

385 Tremont Avenue

East Orange, NJ 7018

US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

Documents Accepted:

  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:

  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

Help

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/14/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12957838.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

Jennifer Gerken

Phone 585-837-0059 Email jennifer.gerken@va.gov Address VA New Jersey Health Care System

385 Tremont Avenue

East Orange, NJ 7018

US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise to care for those who have served in our nations military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.

The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Agency contact information

Jennifer Gerken

Phone 585-837-0059 Email jennifer.gerken@va.gov Address VA New Jersey Health Care System

385 Tremont Avenue

East Orange, NJ 7018

US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what its like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.

Summary

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position.

This Food Service Worker position is located within the Nutrition & Food Service at the NJ VA Medical Center - East Orange and Lyons Campuses. The incumbents will be required to perform their duties at both campuses as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

05/12/2026 to 09/14/2026

Salary $23.52 - $27.46 per hour Pay scale & grade WG 3

Locations

many vacancies in the following locations:

East Orange, NJ

Lyons, NJ

Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Not required Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Multiple Schedules Service Competitive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

  • 7408 Food Service Working

Supervisory status No Security clearance Other Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status Yes

Announcement number OCA-12957838-26-JMG Control number 868898200

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