Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01750

Department: Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Division: Washington Soldiers Home

Job classification: FOOD SERVICE WORKER

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Food Services

Looking for an opportunity to begin your career in state service while directly contributing to the well-being of our Veterans? Apply today for our On-Call Food Service Worker position at the Washington Soldiers Home in scenic Orting, Washington!

Homes 24/7 facility differential: Updated as of July 1, 2025: This position is eligible for "Supplement Basic Shift Premium" for 24/7 Facilities. Employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location will receive an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour of supplemental basic shift premium for each hour of basic shift premium. This shift premium does not apply to overtime hours. The supplemental basic shift premium shall expire on June 29, 2027.

*This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.

“On-call” is defined as positions where the work is intermittent in nature, is sporadic and does not fit a particular pattern. On-Call employees are utilized to support operational staffing needs. Shifts for on-call staff are scheduled on a rotational basis. The on call expectations for this position requires that staff be available to work as needed, with a minimum availability of three shifts per week, on two different shifts.

Hybrid/Telework: This position is not eligible for telework.

Here at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star.

As a Food Service Worker, you'll be responsible for distributing food in a safe and sanitary manner and ensure the nutritional needs of our residents are met.

Cultivate your culinary career and put your customer service skills to work by serving America's heroes!

Examples of duties

Some of what you'll do:

• Serve foods in the cafeteria or on the serving line following portions specified on serving guides and recipes.
• Serve hot and cold foods on the cafeteria line or the serving line using therapeutic diet principles and monitoring food for safe serving temperatures.
• Prepare food, clean and sanitize equipment and area, and other assigned duties.
• Comply with safe food handling practices.
• Perform a variety of food preparation duties following specific sanitation principles and utilizing safe working methods.
• Deliver food and equipment to and from assigned area and kitchen.
• Frequently lifting, pushing, pulling, and handing of up to 40 lbs.; occasionally up to 60 lbs.
  And more!
  

Qualifications

Please Note:
For positions required to have a Washington state food worker card, this is the correct website from which you can obtain a valid credential:
https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/
Required:

• Valid Washington state food worker card.
• Dependability, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Must be proficient in the English language and be able to speak, read, and write English.
  Ability to:
  • Make simple arithmetic calculations.
  • Work productively with staff and residents from diverse backgrounds.
  • Follow policies and procedures.
  • Maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards.
• Agency Required Competencies for all positions:
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired:

• Degree or certificate in culinary arts.
• ServSafe certified.
• Experience with geriatric and/or healthcare institutional setting.
• Experience working with residents with dementia and/or mental health diagnoses.
• Ability to organize, prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Knowledge of therapeutic diet planning, preparation and serving of special diets, and sanitary methods of food handling.

Special requirements:

• Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must comply with annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.
• Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.
• Must learn all current modified/therapeutic diets.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs. and be capable of reaching a minimum of 36" using proper technique to stock shelves and access supplies. Employee must also be able to push or pull with sufficient strength and walk, sit, and bend in an unrestricted manner during the entire workday.
• Must maintain a valid Washington state food worker card.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and be willing to work as needed.
• Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service, and other required training.
• Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
• Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Supplemental information

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

Application Process:

The top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov