Launch Your Career as a Meatcutting Worker with the Defense Commissary Agency
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) offers a unique opportunity for skilled individuals to combine their passion for retail food services with a mission that supports military readiness. As a Meatcutting Worker, you play a critical role in the daily operations of our commissary facilities, ensuring that our service members and their families have access to high-quality fresh meat products. This role is ideal for those who take pride in their craft and want to work in a stable, mission-driven environment.
Job Responsibilities
In this role, you will work under the guidance of journeyman meat cutters. Your daily tasks include:
- Assisting in the processing of beef, pork, lamb, and veal.
- Traying, wrapping, and pricing meat products for retail sale.
- Operating and cleaning automated and manual wrapping machinery.
- Ensuring display cases are fully stocked and products are rotated for freshness.
- Sanitizing work areas to comply with strict health and safety standards.
- Maintaining hand tools and power equipment used in the butchery process.
Requirements
To be eligible, you must demonstrate the capacity to perform the essential functions of the role. Physical requirements include:
- Continuous standing, walking, and bending.
- Lifting up to 50 pounds independently.
- Ability to work in various temperatures, including cold storage environments.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary Range | $20.77 - $26.50 per hour |
| Schedule | Irregular (days, nights, weekends, holidays) |
| Education | Not required |
| Physical Demand | Heavy (lifting 50lbs+) |
| Travel | Occasional |
Salary Overview
Positions are compensated based on the specific location's pay schedule, ranging from $20.77 to $26.50 per hour. Initial appointments are typically made at the Step 1 rate for the selected grade. Employees may progress through salary steps based on time-in-grade and performance, subject to federal pay regulations.
Benefits
Working for a federal agency comes with significant advantages. Beyond competitive hourly pay, you gain access to a structured career path, potential advancement opportunities, and the satisfaction of contributing to military family welfare. Standard federal employee benefits, including health and retirement programs, are available for eligible employees.
Application Tips
- Watch the Length: Your resume must be two pages or less. This is non-negotiable.
- Be Specific: Detail your hours per week for every job listed to prove your qualifications.
- Formatting: Use common, professional fonts and save your documents as PDFs.
- Questionnaire: Take your time with the assessment questionnaire; your score here dictates your referral category.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need a professional butcher certification? A: While not required, proven technical skill in meat processing is essential for the evaluation.
Q: What is the work environment like? A: You will work in a retail environment involving walk-in freezers, loading docks, and cutting rooms.
If you have the skills to excel in a high-paced meat processing environment and want to support our nation's heroes, this position at the Defense Commissary Agency is the perfect fit. Apply today via USAJOBS to start your federal career journey.
Why This Meatcutting Worker Job Matters
Join the Defense Commissary Agency team and help support military families by ensuring top-quality service in our retail meat departments.
Meatcutting Worker Job Overview
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is seeking motivated individuals to serve as Meatcutting Workers. In this role, you will assist journeyman meat cutters by preparing, traying, wrapping, and pricing various meat cuts. This position is vital for maintaining the high standards our military patrons expect. This is an open-continuous announcement, meaning we are accepting applications to build a pipeline for ongoing vacancies across multiple high-traffic locations.
Requirements for Meatcutting Worker
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds independently and occasionally more with assistance.
- Must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
- Must be able to maintain dexterity and safety standards, including a clean and orderly work area.
- Must successfully pass a screen-out element (SOE) evaluation related to technical proficiency.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must reside or be willing to work at one of the listed installation locations.
Preferred Qualifications for Meatcutting Worker
- Previous experience in a retail meat department including traying, wrapping, and weighing products.
- Practical experience in trimming, boning, and cutting various meat products (beef, pork, lamb, etc.).
- Familiarity with the operation and maintenance of power meat-cutting equipment and hand tools.
- Strong ability to interpret instructions and pricing specifications accurately.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive hourly federal wages.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development within the Department of Defense.
- ✓Contribution to a meaningful mission supporting military families.
- ✓Standard federal leave and holiday benefits.
- ✓Access to the broader federal benefits program as outlined by OPM.
💡 How to Apply Meatcutting Worker Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Meatcutting Worker Job
- Log in or create an account on the USAJOBS portal.
- Prepare a resume that does not exceed the strict two-page limit.
- Ensure your resume includes specific dates, hours worked per week, and job duties for every position listed.
- Complete the online assessment questionnaire linked within the announcement.
- Upload required documentation, such as DD-214 or SF-50 forms, ensuring files are not PDF portfolios.
- Submit your application package by the established cut-off dates.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume to exactly two pages; exceeding this will result in immediate disqualification.
- Use standard, legible fonts like Lato, Arial, or Calibri at 10-point to 14-point size.
- Save all documents as PDFs to ensure proper formatting and virus scanning.
- Clearly label your part-time employment hours, as failure to do so may render your application incomplete.
- Check your application status regularly through your USAJOBS dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an open-continuous announcement?
It means the agency is accepting applications for a long period to fill vacancies as they arise. Initial evaluation happens after the first 14 days, with further reviews if new vacancies open.
Can I use my degree to qualify for this job?
No, this is a trade-based position where qualification is determined by your hands-on experience and technical abilities, not formal education.
What happens if my resume is over two pages?
You will be automatically removed from consideration. Stick strictly to the two-page limit.
Job from Defense Commissary Agency
DeCA is a global grocery retailer operating over 235 commissaries worldwide. We provide a valuable benefit to the military community, saving families thousands of dollars annually on their groceries. Our workforce is diverse, dedicated, and essential to the morale of military personnel globally. By joining our team, you become part of a 13,000-strong organization committed to excellence, integrity, and service.