Cook

San Francisco, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $35.48 - $41.32

Work Schedule

On-call

Benefits

competitive salary

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Life insurance

Flexible spending account

Employee assistance program

Job Description

The San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System is a leading healthcare institution dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate medical services to veterans in the San Francisco area. As a federal government agency under the Department of Veterans Affairs, it offers a wide range of healthcare programs and support services to ensure veterans receive the highest standards of care. The facility emphasizes a patient-centered approach that respects the dignity and needs of each veteran, fostering an environment of healing and recovery. Beyond medical treatment, the organization is committed to the overall well-being of veterans through various supportive and rehabilitative services, making it a cornerstone in the community for veteran care.

This particular role is situated within the Nutrition and Food Service department of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System. The position is responsible for preparing nutritious, high-quality meals tailored to the specific dietary needs of veterans, ensuring their nutritional requirements are met in a timely and safe manner. The incumbent will work independently to prepare a variety of meals, including therapeutic diets such as diabetic, low sodium, low protein, and gluten-free options. This job requires adherence to established menus, recipes, and production schedules to meet quantity and quality standards.

The role demands proficiency in various cooking methods including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling. The cook will be responsible for slicing meats to specific size or weight specifications and preparing fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables, as well as assembling sandwiches and desserts. They will also be expected to operate and maintain a range of kitchen equipment safely, such as ovens, grills, slicers, mixers, steam kettles, blenders, and food processors. The work environment includes exposure to temperature extremes, high noise levels, and the physical demands of kitchen labor.

This is a permanent intermittent position paying between $35.48 and $41.32 per hour with promotion potential up to WG-8. The work schedule is intermittent/on-call with a preference for availability Monday through Friday to meet operational needs. Telework and relocation incentives are not authorized, and the position does not permit a compressed or flexible schedule. Essential qualities for success in this position include strong manual dexterity, ability to follow detailed instructions, and the capacity to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment while ensuring food safety and quality. The employer places a high value on veterans' care and looks for candidates committed to supporting the mission of the Veterans Affairs Health Care System and the well-being of its patients.

Job Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen
Subject to background/security investigation
Selective Services registration for males born after 12/31/1959
Complete online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
Serve a 1-year probationary period
Ability to perform manual labor including standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 40 lbs unassisted
Ability to work in temperature extremes and noisy kitchen environments
Follow safety protocols for handling kitchen equipment
Provide all required application documents
Commitment to improving federal government efficiency and upholding U.S. Constitution

Job Qualifications

Evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the duties of this position
Ability to demonstrate dexterity and safety in the kitchen
Ability to interpret instructions and specifications other than blueprint reading
Ability to lead or supervise if required
Knowledge of materials related to cooking and food preparation
Proficiency in technical cooking practices
Capability to use and maintain tools and kitchen equipment
Adherence to proper work practices
Detailed descriptions supporting knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the resume

Job Duties

Work independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet entrees and dessert items
Follow menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed
Cook hot cereals, concentrated or dehydrated soups, sauces, gravies
Grill eggs, hamburgers, meat patties, pancakes, French toast
Make cold sandwich fillings and assemble a variety of sandwiches
Use a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling
Slice meat items by hand conforming to specific size requirements or weight specifications
Prepare fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables
bake frozen potatoes, pre-made cookie dough, muffin batters
Prepare and heat convenience items
prepare pureed foods and adjust consistency with thickeners
Wash, peel and cut fruits and vegetables by hand or machine
Assemble and mix salad ingredients and dessert items including gelatin molds and fruit crisps
Plan cooking processes to produce complete meals on time and at the proper temperature which may require coordination of cooking several items with different cooking times
Attractively present and garnish food
Make a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies and pastries
Wash, peel, chop, grind, pare, cut, slice, dice, puree, dredge, flour, bread items
Weigh, measure, assemble ingredients for regular and modified diets
Combine ingredients according to recipes to produce quality food items, minimizing preparation time and food waste
Pan foods for bulk rethermalization according to recipe guidelines and production guidelines
Cover, date, and store leftovers according to established local policies/procedures
Operate a variety of kitchen equipment: oven, combi oven/steamer, grill, slicer, mixer, steam kettles, blender, food processor, scale
follow safety procedures regarding the operation of equipment
Gather test data to assist management in making purchasing and menu pricing decisions
Perform other duties as assigned