Combined Food Preparation and Service Worker jobs in Santa Ana, CA

• 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

 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

• 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.