Food Service Worker

Job Description:

Food Service Worker

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

FOOD SERVICE WORKER

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of 5 business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) when the needs of the County are met. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list. This list will be used to fill current and future Food Service Worker positions.

RECRUITMENT / POSITION INFORMATION
This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill current and future vacancies in this class until the next recruitment. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

PROBATION

The Orange County Probation Department assists the criminal justice system in Orange County, California by making a safer Orange County through positive change. Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of three bureaus - Adult Operations, Juvenile Operations, and Administrative Services - serves the community using efficient and research supported corrections practices to reduce crime, assist the Courts in managing offenders, promoting lawful and productive lifestyles and assisting victims.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Food Service Workers perform the following duties:

• Wash, peel, and cut fresh fruit and vegetables for food preparation
• Assist Senior Institutional Cooks in basic food preparation tasks
• Portion food from large pots or ovens into serving pans for meal service
• Load carts with food for delivery to various units within the facility
• Return carts to the kitchen after meals have been served
• Sort dishes, silverware, and kitchen utensils for washing
• Clean and maintain food preparation areas to ensure cleanliness and hygiene
• Operate kitchen equipment such as dishwasher, meat slicer, scales, chopping machines, and steam jacketed kettles as required
• Prepare and assemble special diet plates as prescribed by the Medical Unit, considering allergies, pregnancies, injuries, and other medical conditions
• Perform any additional duties as assigned by the supervisor or management

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have experience preparing meals and special diets in a correctional facility type of work setting. Incumbents will work rotating schedules including weekends, holidays, nights and on an emergency basis as needed. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following core competencies:

Technical and Knowledge of:

• Proficiency in proper food handling and food preparation techniques
• Sound understanding of practices, methods, and equipment used in preparing and serving large quantities of food
• Strong knowledge of various special diets, including vegetarian, diabetic, allergy, disruptive inmate diets, religious diets, and others as prescribed by the Medical Unit
• Familiarity with assembling special diet plates based on specific medical conditions or restrictions
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to update and manage the special diet list daily
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in meal preparation to ensure adherence to dietary prescriptions
• Knowledge of proper disposal of trash and maintenance of cleanliness in the kitchen area
• Proficiency in washing, stacking silverware, dishes, and utensils
• Understanding of common weights and measures used in food preparation
• Familiarity with safety standards, sanitation practices, and maintenance of kitchen and storage areas
• Ability to lift and move objects properly and safely
• Ability to detect odors and indicators of food spoilage

Safety:

• Adherence to kitchen and storage sanitation standard protocols
• Maintaining a safe work environment and understanding the safety mechanisms related to kitchen equipment
• Ensuring the safety of floors, aisles, and walkways to prevent trips and falls
• Efficient communication and reporting of safety concerns

Communication Skills | Customer Service:

• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills
  
• Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the English language to follow procedures, recipes, labels, and instructions for food preparation
  
• Anticipating and listening to customers’ needs
  
• Providing professional and positive customer service
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Food Service Worker classification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements: Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting above shoulder level; lifting up to 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing over 25 pounds; bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, standing and/or walking for long periods of time; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person and over the telephone.

Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to machinery, electrical appliances, fire, heat, cleaning chemicals, sudden temperature changes, slippery surfaces, and noise/vibration, steam/hot water and cramped areas.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Online Assessment | Multiple-Choice Test (Weighted 100%)
HRS will invite candidates via e-mail to participate in an un-proctored (self-administered) online exam which may include a typing test. Only the candidates who perform most successfully on the exam will be referred to the next step.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

Email Notification
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Nam Tran at (714) 645-7033 or Nam.Tran@prob.ocgov.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$36,212.80 - $43,721.60 Annually