Meatcutter

Summary This position is located in the meat department of a DeCA Commissary. The purpose of this position is to perform a full range of meatcutting tasks associated with processing beef, pork, veal and lamb into retail and ready-to-eat cuts for sale to patrons. In addition to regular salary (base + locality), positions in Alaska are eligible for a nonforeign area Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which is exempt from federal income tax. Duties Cuts, trims, and bones beef, pork (primals and subprimals), lamb, and veal into retail cuts in accordance with established cut and trim practices and polities. Cuts special orders such as varying types and sizes of steaks and roasts including complex special orders such as crown roasts. Utilizes knives, saws, meat grinders, meat saws (eg., power band saws), slicers, tenderizers, and meathooks in the performance of duties. Checks primals for correct angle of cuts, adjusts as needed, and advises supervisor of primals or subprimals requiring adjustment from packer. Assists supervisor in conducting meatcutting tests, in computing basic markup percentages, and in checking grades and classes of meat to verify deliveries against requisitions. Conducts fat tests. As necessary, operates meat grinding equipment to prepare different types of ground beef and/or sausage. Selects, sharpens, maintains, and cleans hand tools common to the trade. Operates, maintains, and cleans power equipment including saws, grinders, slicers, and tenderizers. Responds to patron inquiries in a tactful and courteous manner providing information on proper cooking procedures, storage life of product, temperatures and thawingrequirements. Cleans work area including walls and floors ensuring all sanitation requirements for meat preparation areas are met. As required, assists in receiving incoming shipments including unloading and breaking down shipments, storing shipments in chill lockers, and storingvendor items such as ham or poultry in chill or freezer lockers. May enter receipt data from receiving documents into a computer for each category of product received. Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position. This critical information is found under: Duties and Qualifications How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable) How You Will be Evaluated Your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the Qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. We do not assume you have the necessary experience to successfully perform in this job regardless of your employment history or academic career. Requirements Conditions of employment Be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants with a Permanent Resident Card are authorized to live and work in the U.S. but are not eligible for employment in positions requiring U.S. citizenship. If selected, proof of citizenship is required. Meet minimum age requirement. See the Additional Information section. Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service. Appointment is subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/. Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness outcome, as determined by a completed background investigation. New federal employees will be fingerprinted. Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation. May be subject to a probationary/trial period. Direct deposit of pay is required. Meet the physical requirements identified in the Qualifications section. Qualifications You must meet qualifications and requirements by the closing date. Per the OPM Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, how you gained the skill and/or knowledge or the length of time you have spent in this line of work is not as important as what you can do and that you have the required ability or potential to successfully perform the duties of this position. Your resume should show your specific knowledge, skill, and abilities for this position in relation to each of the elements being measured. Examples of qualifying experience: Knowledge of the full range of established meatcutting techniques to reduce primal or subprimal cuts of beef, pork, veal and lamb into retail cuts with a minimum of waste. Knowledge of muscle, cell, seam, and bone structure in order to cut a palatable, quality product and to determine if meat products conform to contract standards and specifications. Skill in using all tools common to the trade to include knives, bonedusters, electric saws, meat tenderizers, slicers, and grinders. Ability to maintain and/or adjust these tools and pieces of equipment. Knowledge of Uniform Retail Meat Identify Standard to ensure merchandizing standards are met. Ability to recognize lower yield primals or subprilmals and adjust types of cuts to higher priced cuts to prevent loss. Knowledge of storage life, temperature requirements, and thawing times of meat and meat products. Knowledge of sanitation standards and safety regulations sufficient to prevent contamination and reduce spoilage. Ability to recognize spoiled or questionable meat, fish, or poultry. You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Physical requirements: (1) Walks and stands continuously while working. Constant grasping of chill and frozen meat products. (2) Frequently lifts, pushes, and pulls pieces and bulk boxes of meat weighing 50 to 100 pounds. Hand trucks and dollies are available and used to move heavy items. You will attest to your ability to perform these physical requirements in the Questionnaire. As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate what you can do against what the work requires (job element method). This job has one critical element, called the screen-out element (SOE). The SOE addresses the critical knowledge, skill, and abilities essential to satisfactory job performance. Applicants who clearly fail to meet the lowest acceptable requirement in the SOE are rated ineligible and receive no further consideration. The job elements for this job are: Work Practices Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices Dexterity and Safety Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Nonexempt Bargaining Unit Status: Covered Obligated Position: No Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Work environment: Works in an area where the temperature does not exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Majority of work is performed in areas which are well lighted and ventilated. Occasionally exposed to temperatures as low as minus IO degrees Fahrenheit when transferring items to and from freezer rooms. Cold weather clothing, protective equipment, and special clothes (metal mesh apron, gloves, safety shoes, etc.) are provided. Subject to cuts and injuries from knives and power equipment and danger of falling on wet, slippery floors. Subject to injury from lifting heavy objects. May occasionally work outdoors in receiving meat products. Telework eligible: No Remote work eligible: No Education You may not use education to qualify for this position. Additional information Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service. Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible. Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration. Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process. Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326. The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration. Submitting an incomplete application package, such as missing documents, illegible documents, and/or missing information necessary to determine qualifications and eligibility. A resume reflecting part-time (PT)/full-time (FT) or nothing rather than the number of hours worked per week (e.g., 40, 30, 20, etc.) may be considered incomplete. Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents. Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you. Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses. Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.