Full Time Food Service Workers

Department: |Department of Human Services- STT|
Under the immediate supervision of the Nutrition Manager/Nutrition Supervisor, or designee, this employee is responsible for food preparation, storage and inventory of foods and cleaning supplies for the Head Start Program according to approved standards. The Head Start Food Service Worker is also responsible for total care of all kitchen utensils and equipment, and for submitting all required records and reports.
Prepares food for cooking by cleaning, dressing, and cutting fish and meats.
Prepares food and vegetables for the following day.
Ensures that children are served meals in a clean, sanitary manner.
Maintains required records, (Census, food information, food inventory, menu records) and submits them to Nutrition Manager/Nutrition Supervisor in a timely manner.
Sweeps and mops the kitchen after each meal.
Checks food supplies against Food Distribution Forms.
Conducts inventories of all utensils and supplies in the kitchen at the beginning and end of the school year, and whenever necessary.
Cleans windows and maintains a clean, orderly center.
Cooperates with center staff in having children participate in learning experiences related to food.
Helps maintain a positive atmosphere for parents and center staff in establishing good relationships with parents in the center.
Attends all staff meetings and training required.
Knowledge of equipment, utensils and materials used in preparing and serving large quantities of food.
Knowledge of care and cleaning of kitchen equipment.
Knowledge of food values and portion control.
Knowledge of supplies, equipment, food value & portion control, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
Skill in cooking and preparing simple foods.
Ability to be in good physical condition, sufficient to permit working long hours in the kitchen, and the performance of moderately heavy lifting.
FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
An employee in this position is supervised by the Nutrition Manager/Nutrition Supervisor who checks work for conformity to food standards.
An employee in this role will operate under the Performance Standards of the Head Start Program.
Work is in support of the food Service Team at the Head Start Main Kitchen in the areas of dishwashing, clean-up, kitchen sanitation and assistance with food preparation. The Food Service Worker follows approved menus and makes appropriate substitutions with the approval of the Nutrition Manager and/or Supervisor.
The purpose of work is food preparation, storage and inventory of foods and cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils and equipment in an approved sanitary manner. Proper preparation of food is a vital role in the Head Start Program. Contacts are made to aid in the preparation and distribution of food, but as educational helpers in the nutrition/health aspect of the program aiding the children and families in identifying and maintaining proper nutritional habits.
Work involves continuous standing in the kitchen while tolerating different temperatures requiring overhead reaching, trunk flexion, bending, squatting, stooping, lifting to 50 pounds, and lowering to access containers on the upper levels of the storage area.
Work is performed in a kitchen and classroom.
Please contact the Group Health Insurance Office of the Division of Personnel in St. Medical and Dental Coverage
The Virgin Islands government offers to full-time employees and their eligible dependents, a group health and dental insurance plan.


Full-time employees must enroll within thirty-one (31) days of hire unless they can provide proof of medical coverage from another source. Dependents of eligible employees may participate in the Group Health and Dental Insurance Program according to the terms and conditions imposed by the Health Insurance Board of Trustees and/or the carrier. Legal spouse;
# Natural children;
# Adopted children; Step children.


Legal papers of appointment.

An employee may opt to decline coverage, or discontinue coverage under the Group Health and Dental Insurance Plan at any time. An employee who waives coverage upon employment, or who drops out of the program must provide proof of medical coverage and will be subject to the eligibility requirements imposed by the carrier in order to re-enroll in the program. After separation, an employee or dependent may be eligible to convert their group policy to an individual policy within 30 days, depending on the insurance carrier. If an employee would like to convert their policy to an individual policy a notice of conversion must be sent to the insurance carrier. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation (COBRA) coverage is not available in the Virgin Islands after loss of coverage.


Dental Insurance
As a condition of participation, all employees must enroll in medical coverage to qualify for Dental Insurance.


Retirement Benefits
Retired employees and their dependents are eligible to continue to participate in the Group Health and Dental Insurance Program. In order for the benefit to be effective, an enrollment form must be forwarded to the Group Insurance Office at the Division. Insurance enrollment forms and booklets explaining in detail the plan of benefits, as well as claim forms and a schedule of costs may be obtained from the Group Health Insurance Office.


Upon retirement life insurance benefits may be reduced.


Upon death the designated beneficiary will be eligible to receive the life insurance proceeds of the insurance participant, the Division must be notified of the death in order to initiate the claim process. Life insurance benefits are payable by the contracted insurance company and a subject to the limitations established by the insurance company.
The GVI has several supplemental insurance plans that provide for coverage over and above the regular medical, dental and life insurance coverage.


A list of the current supplemental insurance plans is available through the Group Health Insurance Office. An employee who does not wish to enroll in medical coverage is eligible to enroll in supplemental insurance.
Moving and Relocation Allowance
It is the policy of the GVI to provide a reasonable relocation allowance inclusive of airfare, to eligible employees, based on their employment contract, to help defray the costs associated with relocation from outside the Virgin Islands to accept employment with the GVI. This allowance is made in lieu of any and all claims for reimbursement of relocation and moving expenses.


This policy applies to new employees recruited from off-island and who are approved by the Department Head to receive the benefit of a relocation allowance for moving and relocation expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The GVI will provide confidential and voluntary assistance through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all employees and their family members who may be faced with dynamic challenges of financial concerns, legal issues, alcohol or drug problems, marital problems, illness of a family member, emotional worries, child care problems, etc. Employees and their family members can refer themselves to the EAP. The program may be reached 24 hours a day on weekdays and weekends.


EAP counselors are available to meet with employees or family members to assess a problem and develop a plan for resolution. The counselors may suggest a referral to an outside resource, such as a therapist, Departmental resource, physician, treatment facility or other professional that would be appropriate to assist in resolving the problem or situation. Where an employee may be in need of information, a referral or suggestion may be made over the telephone. There is no charge for employees or their families to use the services of the EAP.


Participation in the EAP Program does not jeopardize job security or promotional opportunities. However, it does not excuse the employee from following GVI policies and procedures or meeting required standards for satisfactory job performance except where specific accommodations are required by law.


Employees who want to visit the EAP during regular work hours must use sick, vacation or personal time after their first meeting. Mandatory EAP meetings will be completed using administrative leave.


The EAP counselors will make every effort to coordinate referral for ongoing treatment with the employee's health insurance coverage as well as his/her ability to pay.


Mandatory EAP
When an employee's job performance or attendance is unsatisfactory or there appears to be signs of other problems during the work day, the supervisor should counsel the employee in consultation with the human resources officer or designee. If the employee appears to be unable or unwilling to correct the situation, the employee may be referred to the EAP to assist in the resolution of the problem. Depending on the situation, the employee may accept or refuse participation in the EAP. However, there may be situations where continued employment with the GVI may be contingent upon the employee calling the EAP for assistance.


All contact between an employee and the EAP is held strictly confidential. In cases where an employee's continued employment is contingent upon calling the EAP, the EAP counselor will only verify whether or not the employee has contacted the EAP, if ongoing treatment is necessary, and that the employee is following through on the treatment.
Government Employees Retirement System (GERS)
All full-time employees on regular appointments are eligible to participate in the Government Employees Retirement System.


The appropriate enrollment application forms should be completed at the time of orientation and will remain on file in the Departmental Human Resources Office. Contribution will begin on the next available payroll period following enrollment in the retirement program.


Members become vested in the retirement system after ten (10) years of credited service.


The Virgin Islands Government Employees Retirement System is a defined benefit retirement program to which both the GVI and the employee contribute. The benefit at time of retirement is based upon the employee's age, years of service and salary history.


Retirement Age
Retirement Benefits
Vested participants should contact GERS for detailed retirement benefit information at least one year but no later than six months prior to the retirement date.


Qualified members may receive military service credit toward retirement. High School Diploma, High School Transcript, College Degree, College Transcripts, Evaluation of International Credentials (Only education from an accredited school will be accepted), DD214, Certifications, Specialized Licenses, Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate, U.Passport, or Naturalization Certificate), Valid ID, or Resume.
Attaching a resume does not supersede any of these requirements. Your responses pertaining to specific work experience must be clearly shown in the area for work history on your application.