Launch Your Career as a Food Service Worker with the VA
Are you looking for a role that combines your culinary interests with a deep sense of purpose? The Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is currently seeking a dedicated Food Service Worker to join our Nutrition & Food Service team. This role is essential to our mission of providing compassionate, comprehensive care to the men and women who have served our country.
Job Responsibilities
As a Food Service Worker in the Substance Abuse Residence Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) unit, your daily tasks will be diverse and highly impactful:
- Meal Service: Setting up dining areas and serving food in a cafeteria style, ensuring accurate portions.
- Food Prep: Assisting cooks with measuring ingredients, preparing fresh salads, sandwiches, and cold desserts.
- Sanitation: Maintaining clean, safe kitchen areas by operating dishwashing equipment and cleaning food stations.
- Delivery: Transporting food and supplies to the SARRTP unit and ensuring meals arrive correctly.
Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a U.S. Citizen |
| Physicality | Light to moderate lifting (up to 40 lbs) |
| Background | Must pass a suitability/fitness investigation |
| Education | No specific degree required |
Salary Overview
The hourly rate for this position ranges from $20.35 to $23.75, depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits
Federal employment with the VA comes with a robust set of benefits, including:
- Competitive leave accrual
- Health and life insurance options
- Meaningful work-life balance
- Opportunities for long-term career growth within the federal system
Application Tips
To ensure your application stands out, remember that the VA requires a strictly enforced two-page maximum for all resumes. Focus on highlighting your skills in sanitation, food safety, and efficiency. Ensure your resume is in a clean, legible PDF format before uploading.
If you are ready to start a meaningful career where your daily work directly improves the lives of Veterans, we encourage you to apply. The application window is open until August 3, 2026. Join our team at Robley Rex VAMC and make a difference today.
Why This Food Service Worker Job Matters
Join the Robley Rex VA Medical Center team and serve those who served. Your hard work in food service directly impacts the recovery and comfort of our nation’s Veterans.
Food Service Worker Job Overview
The Veterans Health Administration is hiring a dedicated Food Service Worker to join the Nutrition & Food Service team at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, KY. In this vital role, you will be based within the Substance Abuse Residence Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) unit, ensuring patients receive high-quality, nutritional meals while maintaining strict sanitation standards. This position is perfect for someone who takes pride in supporting a mission-driven environment through hands-on food service and culinary assistance.
Requirements for Food Service Worker
- Must be a U.S. Citizen (non-citizens may be appointed under specific conditions if no qualified citizens are available).
- Must pass a comprehensive background investigation to determine suitability for federal employment.
- Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Must complete an online onboarding process and provide valid identification (REAL ID compliant).
- Ability to perform light to moderate physical work, including frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 40 lbs with assistance.
- Willingness to serve a 1-year probationary period.
- Agreement to comply with annual influenza vaccination requirements as a healthcare personnel member.
Preferred Qualifications for Food Service Worker
- Experience in institutional or commercial food preparation and service.
- Working knowledge of standardized recipes and menu interpretation.
- Proven history of maintaining food sanitation and safety standards in a professional kitchen.
- Experience in operating industrial-grade dishwashing and kitchen equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to follow multi-step instructions and work in a team-oriented healthcare environment.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive Federal salary and pay progression.
- ✓Comprehensive federal benefits package.
- ✓Accrual of annual and sick leave based on federal service.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development within the VA health system.
- ✓Integration into a nationally recognized academic medical center environment.
💡 How to Apply Food Service Worker Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Food Service Worker Job
- Create a profile on the USAJOBS website and upload a resume that is no longer than two pages.
- Carefully review the job announcement and requirements.
- Prepare your resume using the recommended format (PDF, sans-serif font, 0.5-inch margins).
- Complete the mandatory occupational questionnaire provided in the job portal.
- Submit your full application package, including all required documents, before the closing date.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume to a strict two-page limit; submissions exceeding this length will be rejected.
- Use clear, result-focused language that mirrors the keywords and duties listed in the announcement.
- Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting remains intact across systems.
- Highlight any volunteer or community service experience if your professional experience is limited.
- Submit early to avoid technical issues as the closing deadline approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the work schedule for this position?
The schedule consists of 5 days a week with rotating days off. Shifts typically include two days from 6:00 am – 2:30 pm and three days from 11:00 am – 7:30 pm.
Do I need a specific culinary certification?
No, a formal certification is not required. However, you must demonstrate the training, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the position as described in your resume.
What is the resume length requirement?
Effective September 27, 2025, the VA requires all federal resumes to be no longer than two pages. Exceeding this limit will render your application ineligible.
Job from Veterans Health Administration
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to fulfilling the promise made by President Lincoln to care for those who have borne the battle. The Robley Rex VAMC is a level 1b academic medical center that integrates high-level research, teaching, and patient care. By joining our team, you become part of an integrated system dedicated to the health and well-being of Veterans across central and western Kentucky.