Senior Food Services Assistant - Dietary - VCMC

County of Ventura, CA; Santa Paula (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Job summary

Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, CA seeks a Senior Food Services Assistant under general supervision to plan, prepare, and serve meals for large groups, lead lower-level staff, and ensure sanitation of utensils and areas.

The role requires experience with large-scale food service, ability to read dietary orders, and knowledge of health and safety regulations. Educational/bilingual incentives are offered; overtime is allowed.

Qualifications

• At least one year of large-scale (100+ customers per day) food preparation and service experience.
• Experience reflecting food preparation for large gatherings (school/hospital cafeteria, cruise line, military, stadium, or large banquets).
• Short order cooking and fast food experience would not qualify.

Responsibilities

• Plans, prepares, apportions, delivers, and serves meals according to recipes and guidelines.
• Stores and inventories food, supplies, and materials per Department and State regulations.
• Sanitizes equipment, utensils, appliances, and facilities; cleans dishes and kitchen areas.
• Operates kitchen equipment including stand mixer, tilt braiser, tilt steam kettle, electric slicer, oven, and more.
• May lead supervision over other food services staff and provide transportation in emergencies.
• Reads and interprets medical dietary orders, meal count forms, and logs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Reading dietary orders

Basic math and record-keeping

Sanitation practices

Food service knowledge

Inventory methods

Lifting techniques

Tools

Stand mixer

Tilt braiser

Tilt steam kettle

Electric slicer

Industrial dishwasher

Oven

Job description

Under general supervision, incumbent performs the more difficult tasks related to the preparation, service, and delivery of food to clients, patients, staff, large groups, and/or visitors at a Ventura County facility; maintains cleanliness and sanitation of utensils, equipment, and work area; and leads and trains lower-level Food Services Assistants.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE:

Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY:

Health Care Agency – Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC)

Senior Food Services Assistant is represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy at the Ventura County Medical Center.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: 8/17/26

CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive enough qualified applications to meet business needs. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.

Depending on the assignment, duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans, prepares, apportions, delivers, and serves meals which involves chopping, slicing, mixing, grating, and assembling food items according to standardized recipes, directions, instructions from supervisors, and proper food handling guidelines;
• Stores and inventories food, supplies, and materials per Department and State regulations;
• Sanitizes all equipment, utensils, appliances, and facilities; cleans dishes, trays, pots, pans, utensils, kitchen equipment, and food preparation areas;
• Operates a variety of kitchen equipment including stand mixer, tilt braiser, tilt steam kettle, electric slicer, steam cabinet, industrial dishwasher, oven, and others;
• May operate a cash register and count and collect money;
• May read, interpret, and/or complete various documents such as medical dietary orders, meal count forms, and logs;
• Provides transportation and delivery of food in emergencies;
• May provide lead supervision over other food services staff; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

At least one (1) year of large-scale (100+ customers per day) food preparation and service experience. Experience must reflect food preparation for large gatherings such as school or hospital cafeteria, cruise line, military, stadium, and/or large banquets. Short order cooking and fast food experience would not qualify for this position.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Must be able to read and write in English and understand and follow oral and written instructions in English.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working knowledge of:

• the needs and requirements of various populations (age groups, special diets, behavioral patterns, etc.)
• methods and procedures for preparing and serving food in large quantities
• sanitation and safety practices and regulations related to handling and serving food in large quantities
• inventory methods and proper methods of food rotation and storage
• the proper methods of storing equipment, materials, and supplies
• proper lifting techniques
• basic math and record-keeping techniques
• interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy

Working ability to:

• learn the physical arrangements and food service routine in a short period of time
• follow, adjust, and extend recipes
• prepare, cook, and serve food in accordance with health and sanitation regulations
• maintain nutrition service equipment and areas in a clean and sanitary condition
• adhere to food service and sanitation rules
• observe and follow health and safety regulations
• operate large kitchen equipment and machinery safely
• lift, carry, push, and pull heavy objects
• stand for long periods of time
• maintain a neat and clean personal appearance
• communicate effectively in an oral and written manner
• establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• maintain a variety of records related to assigned activities
• plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Nathan Wood by e-mail at [e-mail] or by telephone at [phone].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.