Food Service Worker at VA Caribbean Healthcare System — Applications Closed

Job Description

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System is seeking a Food Service Worker (WG-3) to join the Nutrition & Food Service at the San Juan VA Medical Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This full-time permanent role involves preparing and serving meals, portioning food, setting up dining areas, delivering patient trays, and cleaning kitchen equipment. The position requires standing for eight hours, lifting up to 20 pounds unassisted, and working in a fast-paced kitchen environment with heat, steam, and noise.

This role is ideal for current VA Caribbean Healthcare System Nutrition & Food Service employees looking to advance their career in federal food service.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $18.89 - $22.04 per hour.

Qualification

No specific length of training or experience is required, but you must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties through training or experience detailed on your resume.

• No specific length of training or experience required; must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work.
• Applicants will be rated in accordance with OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
• Screen-out element: Must demonstrate at least minimal acceptable qualification requirement.
• Job elements evaluated: 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 includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).
• Part-time experience credited based on time actually spent in appropriate activities.
• Physical requirements: Heavy work including scouring large utensils, pushing heavy carts, standing 8 hours a day, lifting up to 20 lbs unassisted, occasionally moving objects over 20 lbs with assistance.
• Working conditions: Kitchen area and patient wards; requires wearing hairnet and disposable gloves; exposure to hot liquids, sharp blades, hot surfaces, and extreme temperature changes.
• This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Set up and break down assigned station with correct supplies and food items.
• Portion food items into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and specified dishware.
• Select and place correct items on patient trays.
• Decide what food items to serve for the most common diets.
• Identify obvious discrepancies between prescribed diets and food items designated by the menu.
• Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary.
• Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides and report patient comments and complaints to supervisor or dietitian.
• Assist cooks in food preparation area: weigh, measure, and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes.
• Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads, dressings, sandwich fillings, cold sandwiches, and simple cold desserts.
• Read and interpret regular or modified menus and individual diet cards.

Conditions & Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Pre-employment physical required.
• Must complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form of identification required (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025).
• Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program required for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• Must wear hairnet and disposable gloves in kitchen areas.

Benefits

• Complete benefits package as a federal employee.
• Access to health insurance, retirement, and other benefits for you and your family.
• Eligibility depends on type of position (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).

How You Will Be Evaluated

1. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
2. Be clear and specific in describing your experience; VA will not make assumptions.
3. Narrative responses are not required at this time.
4. If referred, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, including responses to knowledge, skills, and abilities, work sample, or interview.
5. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified.
6. VA performs pre-employment reference checks.
7. Referral certificate(s) issued after review; applicants notified of status by email.
8. Referred applicants may be contacted directly for an interview.

Required Documents

• Resume (must be 2 pages or less starting September 27, 2025).
• SF-50/Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility).
• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee.
• Additional SF-50 demonstrating one-year time-in-grade if most recent SF-50 is within the past year.
• Cover Letter (optional).
• Transcript (if using education to qualify – not applicable for this position).
• Veterans Preference documentation (if applicable).
• ICTAP/CTAP documentation (if applicable for displaced Federal employees).

How to Apply

1. Open the official application portal and with your the official application portal/Login.gov account.
2. Complete the online application questionnaire.
3. Attach your federal resume (2 pages or less) and any required documents (e.g., SF-50).
4. Review your application to ensure all information is accurate and complete.
5. Submit your application package before the closing date: 07/31/2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

Additional Information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• If you are unable to apply online, contact the Agency Contact listed in the announcement for alternate methods.
• Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, VA prohibits requesting criminal history prior to tentative job offer.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government and upholding the Constitution.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Wearing a face mask is required if an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.
• HCP in violation of the influenza vaccination directive may face disciplinary action up to removal from federal service.
• Agency contact: Vilnalys Irizarry-Brisueno, Phone (787) 641-7582 X126196, Email [email protected].

About Company

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, providing complete healthcare services to veterans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The San Juan VA Medical Center is the flagship facility, offering primary care, specialty care, and inpatient services.

This Food Service Worker position is within the Nutrition & Food Service, which is responsible for preparing and delivering meals to patients and staff.