Cook

Cook

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Buffalo, New York

Salary Range: $38.42 - $44.82 Per Hour

Job Summary: This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service of at both the Buffalo & Batavia, NY VAMC. As Production Supervisor, the incumbent is fully responsible to plan, produce, direct, coordinate and monitor all phases of food production. In the absence of the Food Service Section Supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for the operation of both the food production/service areas and the administrative duties within those areas.

Major Duties:

• Performs work planning responsibilities Is specifically responsible for independently coordinating/directing the operation of the food service/production areas using standards, procedures, diet manual, modified menus and production sheets to guide the work. Plans on a weekly or monthly basis to establish deadlines, priorities, and work sequences based on general work schedules, methods, and policies set by higher level supervisors. Coordinates work with supporting or related work functions controlled by other supervisors. Uses resources to operate within a planned financial budget; shares in the managerial responsibility for the proper supervision of labor, allocation of subsistence and supplies and all other resources required to accomplish quality Veteran centered meal services. Informs higher level supervisors of the need to revise work schedules and re-estimate labor and other resources. Participates in meetings and discussions regarding initial planning of current and future work schedules, budget requests, staffing needs, estimates, and recommendations as to scheduling projected work. Position is a first-level supervisor over Cooks, WG-7404-04 and WG-7404-06. Performs work direction responsibilities Incumbent prepares performance requirements and work schedules in accordance with established policies and procedures. Provides technical direction and training when scheduling work operations with complex work steps and processes. Investigates work ­related issues such as excessive costs or low productivity and determines causes. Implements corrective actions within authority to resolve identified work issues. Recommends solutions to staffing issues, engineering requirements, and work operations directed by other supervisors. Performs administration responsibilities Develops, documents and evaluates standards of work performance in development of performance plans. Observes subordinate employees' work and ability to follow instructions, provides suggestions and guidance as required. Prepares employee annual performance evaluations; recommends employees for Incentive/Special Contribution Awards. Interviews applicants for positions in Food Production/Service areas and recommends appropriate selections for hiring, promotion and re-assignments of employees. Investigates grievances and complaints per bargaining unit agreements, resolving them where possible, and notifies supervisors of those of sufficient importance or seriousness. Oversees safety and sanitation program. Monitors work to assure that subordinates use all sanitation and safety precautions and enforce safe work practices. Ensures compliance with food safety and sanitation based on HACCP guidelines, NFS procedures and policies, and VACO policies to ensure food safety in food preparation and storage in the facility food service establishment(s). Performs duties in front line production/service when necessary due to staffing limitations, etc. Works independently to prepare and cook a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free, etc.) entrees and dessert items. Follows menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed. Cooks hot cereals, concentrated or dehydrated soups, sauces, gravies. Grills eggs, hamburgers, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; 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. Assembles and mixes salad ingredients and dessert items including gelatin molds and fruit crisps. Plans 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 presents and garnishes food. Makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies and pastries. Washes, peels, chops, grinds, pares, cuts, slices, dices, purees, dredges, flours, breads items. Weighs, measures, assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets. Combines ingredients according to recipes to produce quality food items, minimizing preparation time and food waste. Work Schedule: 10:30am-7:00pm includes weekends and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Cook/PD99820S Physical Requirements: 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.

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) Lead or Supervise Materials Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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.

How to Apply: 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 01/14/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12858858. 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. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-14