Cook

Sunnyvale, CA, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $31.23 - $36.45

Work Schedule

Day Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Life insurance

Flexible spending account

Job Description

The Veterans Affairs Medical Center located in Menlo Park, California, is committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to veterans and their families. As part of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, this medical center plays a crucial role in delivering comprehensive medical care, support services, and rehabilitation to those who have served in the military. With a strong focus on honoring and supporting veterans, the Nutrition and Food Service department ensures that all veterans receive nutritious and high-quality meals tailored to meet their individual health needs. This federal facility is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of service in a respectful and caring environment, making it a vital resource in the veteran community.

The open position is for a Cook (WG-6) within the Nutrition and Food Service department of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This full-time, permanent role offers a competitive hourly wage between $31.23 and $36.45 and involves preparing meals that meet both regular and therapeutic dietary requirements including diabetic, low sodium, low protein, and gluten-free options. The incumbent will be responsible for independently preparing and cooking a diverse range of menu items, following detailed production sheets and recipes to ensure food is produced in required quantities and meets quality standards. This position requires working varied shifts, either from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM or 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with a possible travel requirement of up to 25 percent.

As a vital member of the kitchen team, the cook will utilize various cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and assembling sandwiches and desserts. They must demonstrate proficiency in handling kitchen equipment safely and efficiently while adhering to strict sanitation and food safety regulations. The role demands physical endurance to handle continuous standing, lifting up to 40 pounds, and working in hot, cold, noisy, and potentially hazardous kitchen environments. Additionally, this role involves tasks beyond cooking, such as cleaning, sanitizing work areas, managing kitchen equipment, and participating in deep cleaning duties when needed.

Candidates applying for this position must be U.S. citizens, subject to background and suitability checks, and must complete a pre-employment physical. The department emphasizes a one-year probationary period to assess employee fitness for the role and alignment with organizational goals and public service interests. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides comprehensive federal employee benefits, including retirement plans, health insurance, paid leave, and career development opportunities, making it an attractive employment option for dedicated individuals seeking to support veterans through nutritional care.

Job Requirements

U.S. citizen
selective service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959
pre-employment physical required
subject to background/security investigation
complete online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification
participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program required
ability to perform continuous standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling
capable of lifting/moving up to 40 lbs unassisted
manual dexterity to operate equipment and handle knives
ability to work in temperature extremes
ability to work in patient care settings with potential exposure to contagious disease
required to wear proper protective equipment and maintain sanitation standards
willingness to serve a 1-year probationary period
ability to pass suitability/fitness background check as part of Federal Wage System qualifications

Job Qualifications

Your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume
ability to handle continuous standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling
ability to lift or move objects weighing up to 40 lbs unassisted
manual dexterity to safely operate equipment and handle sharp knives and blades
hand-eye coordination and ability to concentrate and react quickly
experience working in hot, uncomfortable, and noisy kitchen environments
knowledge of food safety and sanitary food handling procedures
ability to work without more than normal supervision
ability to interpret instructions, specifications other than blueprint reading
technical knowledge of cooking practices and use and maintenance of kitchen tools and equipment
ability to plan and coordinate cooking processes
willingness to wear proper hair covering, clean uniform, and disposable gloves when handling food
commitment to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

Job Duties

Independently prepares and cooks a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet entrees and dessert items
follows menus, production sheets, and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed
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, conforming 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 mixes salad ingredients and dessert items, including gelatin molds and fruit crisps
plans cooking processes to produce meals on time and at the proper temperature
makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies, and pastries
weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets
operates a variety of kitchen equipment and follows appropriate safety procedures
follows sanitary food handling procedures
disassembles and reassembles equipment for cleaning
cleans and sanitizes work areas, and performs deep cleaning tasks when needed
operates industrial dish machine
performs other related duties