Food Service Worker - Correction

Food Service Worker - Correction

Salary

$59,843.68 - $72,015.84 Annually

Location

San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-H68-B

Department

Sheriff Services

Opening Date

09/16/2026

Closing Date

9/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

03

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under supervision, to perform a full range of food service duties, and the ability to effectively interact with inmates and other Food Service staff performing food service duties in the Department of Correction Food Service Unit.

Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an on-line examination tentatively scheduled for a seven day window that opens October 14, 2026.

Want to hear from employees who really enjoy the work they do as part of the Countys Public Safety and Justice effort and why they chose the County of Santa Clara as their employer?

Hear what Anie and Chad have to say about it - click here to watch!

Typical Tasks

• Prepares, packages, and portions meals; delivers, distributes, serves, and stores food on an assigned shift or functional area(s);
• Prepares menu items and ingredients for inmates and staff meals, special diets, and catering, as required;
• Performs routine cleaning, including break down of preparation and service areas, tray service ware and cart washing, equipment cleaning, floor and drain maintenance, and other cleaning duties;
• Performs storage, distribution and inventory functions, such as; loading, unloading, moving, organizing, rotating and storing food items, meals, food supplies, and meal carts;
• May drive a truck to deliver food and food related supplies to outlying buildings or other facilities;
• Provide excellent customer service;
• Maintain safety and security as required by departmental policy;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrate the ability to perform the above typical tasks and the knowledge and abilities listed below.

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities to perform this function are acquired through one (1) year of food service experience.

Preparing food in large quantity is desirable.

Possession of a current nationally recognized food handler certification can be substituted for 6 months of the required experience.

May require the possession of a valid California Drivers License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

Knowledge of:

• Current food preparation and serving practices;
• Safe food handling techniques;
• Proper and safe use of kitchen equipment;
• Kitchen cleaning and sanitation methods;
• Fundamental arithmetic including fractions.

Ability to:

• Assist in food preparation, service and kitchen procedures specific to the operation;
• Maintain and keep secure small and large scale food service tools and equipment in a safe and efficient manner;
• Maintain and keep secure cleaning equipment and agents in a safe and efficient manner;
• Ensure that immediate and surrounding work areas are safe, and free of actual or potential hazards;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in written English;
• Read, understand, interpret, follow and apply written and oral directions, and follow instructions in English;
• Give clear instructions and guide inmate workers in the performance of food service duties;
• Assist in providing job task orientation to co-workers as necessary;
• Demonstrate manual dexterity, and complete work in a timely and efficient manner;
• Be organized and employ cost effective practices;
• Work effectively and independently;
• Remain calm and perform work in demanding situations;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population;
• Exercise discretion and good judgement in the performance of duties;
• Provide excellent customer service;
• Promote teamwork and good will.

Physical Requirements

Perform a variety of manual tasks, which require an ability to squat, climb, bend, twist, grasp, push/pull, reach overhead, perform frequent and/or repetitive motions, stand, and walk for long periods, work at an expeditious pace, function in various temperature conditions, and lift and carry object up to 50 pounds.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following supplemental questions to facilitate the advancement of your application through the recruitment. When asked to describe your work, provide detail for each question in the following format:

a) Employer name(s)

b) Job title(s)

c) Start/end dates of employment

d) Total hours worked per week

e) Description of task(s) performed A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete and it will be rejected.

Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to assess your experience in the area mentioned?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of food service experience do you possess? Relevant experience includes handling and preparing the food and using kitchen equipment.

(Personal food preparation is not qualifying experience for this position).

• No experience
• Less than six months of experience
• Six months to one year of experience
• More than one year of experience

03

Describe your food service experience. Include what kinds of food you handled and prepared and what kitchen equipment you used. Include employer name(s), job title(s), dates of employment, hours worked per week, and task(s) performed. If none, type "N/A".

04

Do you possess a food handler certificate? If yes, please attach it to your application. From your Profile page, the gray button on the left that says "...Additional" is where you can add a copy of a certificate or license.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you understand that you must pass an extensive background investigation if selected for this position?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing to work alternate work week schedules, evenings and night hours, work on weekends, holiday, and at odd or irregular hours?

• Yes
• No

07

This position requires employees to work in a locked, secure environment. The Sheriffs Office has a "No Hostage" policy which states: "All attempts will be made to ensure the release of any person held hostage; however, no inmate will be allowed to escape in exchange for the release of any hostage. Under no circumstances will demands by a hostage taker be accepted in exchange for his or her release or that of another inmate." Are you willing to perform your daily duties within this environment?

• Yes
• No

08

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

09

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.

10

Do you certify that statements made in this questionnaire are true and complete?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/