Food Service Worker / Dishwasher

Multnomah County; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team dedicated to serving youth in a detention facility as a Food Service Worker. This role involves preparing and serving meals, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen, and ensuring compliance with health standards. You will operate commercial kitchen equipment and contribute to a supportive environment that values workforce equity and inclusion. This is a great opportunity to enhance your food service skills while making a positive impact in the community. If you are passionate about food service and ready to take on a fulfilling role, we encourage you to apply!

Benefits

Health Insurance

Defined Benefit Retirement Plan

Generous Paid Leave

Life Insurance

Free Annual Trimet Bus Pass

Food Handler Certification Renewals

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Qualifications

• 1 year of relevant food service experience required.
• Must possess a valid Oregon Food Handler's Card.

Responsibilities

• Assist in running a large commercial kitchen preparing meals.
• Wash utensils, pots, and pans, ensuring sanitation guidelines.

Skills

Dishwashing

Food Safety

Cleaning

Food Preparation

Operating Kitchen Equipment

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Job description

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$20.00 - $21.37 Hourly

Department:

Department of Community Justice (DCJ)

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

May 18, 2025

The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

Help us create a better future as you grow your food service skills in a fast-paced, institutional setting. You'll assist in running a large commercial kitchen that prepares meals for teens in our detention facility. If you are interested in joining our team of dynamic individuals, we strongly encourage you to apply for our Food Service Worker/Dishwasher position!

Come Find Your Why? (video)

The Department of Community Justice is looking for a Nutrition Services team member who can demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

• Washing utensils, pots and pans, food carts, trays and food preparation/serving/storage areas by machine or by hand, in accordance with sanitation guidelines.
• Various daily cleaning duties.
• Receiving food, equipment and supplies, and rotating inventory to meet federal, state and county standards.
• Delivering food throughout the facility and serving meals, including youth in a custody setting.
• Operating commercial kitchen equipment including dishwashers and food mixing/preparation equipment.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• The ability to lift 50-75 pounds is highly desired in this position.
• Performing other duties as required to run a large institutional kitchen and a cafe and catering company.

DO NOT DELAY, submit your application TODAY. This job posting will be closed if we receive 100 job applications before the closing date of 5/18/25.

WORKFORCE EQUITY

At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE

Vision ~ Community Safety through Positive Change

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is recognized as a national leader in both adult and juvenile community justice. DCJ routinely consults and makes use of evidence-based practices in our program and policy development. The Department's commitment to data-informed decision-making has led DCJ to make smart investments of taxpayer dollars in supervision, sanctions, and services for the county's highest risk and highest need justice-involved individuals. DCJ makes long-term investments in its employees through the provision of education and training. The Department believes that in order to enhance public safety we must work collaboratively with the judiciary, law enforcement, schools, treatment agencies, and the community.

The Department shares information with community members, partners, and staff to keep communities safe by preventing and reducing crime and routinely evaluating which local policies support best practices. DCJ operates 24 hours a day, with nearly 650 regular, on-call, and temporary employees. The Department supervises justice-involved individuals and those defendants requiring pretrial services. DCJ's Juvenile Services Division operates the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility and is responsible for youth on formal and informal community supervision.

About the Nutrition Services Team

The Nutrition Services Unit provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks every day of the year for youth in the detention facility. In addition, we operate the Courtyard Cafe, which is open Monday-Friday with seating for 30. Our average production for detainee youth, the cafe and other programs is 200 to 300 meals per day. Our detention facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More general information about the Department of Community Justice including our mission, vision, and strategies can be found at: www.multco.us/dcj .

The Department of Community Justice's Strategic Plan (Executive Summary and Full report) can be found at: https://multco.us/file/68223/download .

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive an acknowledgement task and the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you complete and submit these tasks in Workday.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade
• One (1) year of relevant dishwashing, school lunch, catering, restaurant, cafe/deli, or institutional food service experience
• Possess a valid Oregon Food Handler's Card. (Please note: ServSafe is not accepted in lieu of the Oregon Food Handler's Card)

• Must have a valid driver's license

• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Ability to lift 50-75 pounds.
• Ability to push/pull 200-400 pounds.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The Application Packet: Please be sure to provide all the materials below in your application submission:

• Online application: Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.
• Attach a resume (optional): Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Attach the document to the on-line application. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid.
• Cover Letter (optional): Please explain why you are applying for this position and describe your experience in a public safety setting or in a human services setting.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/Interviews
• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.

Equal Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Type of Position: This hourly position is eligible for overtime.

Type: Represented by Local 88, AFSCME

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Tue-Sat, 5:00am to 1:30pm, 40 hours per week

Location: Juvenile Justice Complex @ 1401 NE 68th Ave, Portland OR 97213

Telework: This position is NOT eligible for hybrid or routine on-site/telework subject to the Multnomah County Telework Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. This position is considered Ad-hoc.

Essential Position: This position is designated as "Essential Services & Personnel" (24x7 operations that must function regardless of conditions) and are expected to report to work in the event of inclement weather.

Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees. A few highlights include:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Defined benefit retirement plan (pension); we pick up the employee's share of the state retirement contribution (6% of subject wages)
• Generous paid leave (vacation, holidays, sick, parental, military, etc...)
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts
• Free annual Trimet bus pass
• DCJ pays for food handler related certification renewals
• Alternative wellness resources
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, regular, temporary, limited duration, and on-call positions. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Danny Fajardo

Email:

[e-mail]

Phone:

[phone]

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6261 - Food Service Worker