Food Services Assistant I/Ii/Iii - Hospital

Food Services Assistants are responsible for the planning, preparation and serving of food for patients and others at both Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Food Services Assistant I - Incumbents are trainees learning the basics of food preparation and service and perform simpler and more routine duties under immediate supervision.
Food Services Assistant II - Incumbents have successfully completed at least six (6) months of training in food preparation and service in a facility where large volumes of food are prepared. Incumbents at this level perform more complex duties than those at the lower level under immediate supervision.
Food Services Assistant III - This is the highest-level classification in the Food Services Assistant series. Incumbents perform more responsible duties under genera supervision. Incumbents at this level may provide lead supervision over lower-level Food Services Assistants to ensure work completion.
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Ventura County Medical Center and/or Santa Paula Hospital
APPROXIMATE SALARIES:
Food Services Assistant I - $16.22 per hour
Food Services Assistant II - $16.22 - $19.50 per hour
Food Services Assistant III - $16.52 - $20.48 per hour
EDUCATION/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE:
Incumbents may be eligible for an 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.
VETERAN'S POINTS: This is a trainee/entry level classification (Level I/II), and Veteran's Points may apply to eligible candidates. Documentation of military service (DD-214) must be submitted prior to close of recruitment in order to receive points.
Food Services Assistant I/II/III are represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies. There are currently two (2) Regular Full-Time positions and one (1) Intermittent position.
NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: December 8, 2023
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of 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:

• Assists with (I/II) or does (III) the planning, and preparing of meals. This involves chopping, slicing, mixing, grating, and assembling food items for sandwiches, salads, and main dishes. Following standardized recipes, directions, supervisor instruction, and proper food handling guidelines to assure consistency and maintain quality; assists with preparing (i/II) or prepares (III) food in quantities specified on production sheets; assists with testing (I) or tests (II/III) food for freshness, palatability, and proper temperature before serving;
• Assists with serving (I) or serves (II/III) client/patient trays neatly and accurately, according to individual menu designations; assists with serving (I) or serves (II/III) cafeteria patrons quickly, courteously, and neatly and apportioning food accurately, assists with delivering (I) or delivers (II/III) food carts in a neat, safe, and timely manner to ensure the best quality possible; assists with carrying and positioning (I) or carries and positions (II/III) food for serving; assists with serving and delivering meals to large groups; assists with apportioning (i) or apportions (II/III) fruits, vegetables, and other food items according to established guidelines;
• Assists with storage and inventory (I) or stores and inventories (II/III) perishable food, supplies, and materials per Department and State regulations. This involves covering, labeling, and dating all refrigerated foods, discarding outdated and unlabeled items, and separating cleaning supplies from food;
• Assists with sanitation (I/II) of or sanitizes (III) all equipment, utensils, appliances, and facilities; assists with cleaning (I) or cleans (I/II) dishes, trays, pots, pans, utensils, kitchen equipment, and food preparation areas;
• Assists with operating (I/II) or operates (III) a variety of kitchen equipment including stand mixer, tilt braiser, tilt steam kettle, electric slicer, steam cabinet, industrial dishwasher, oven, and others;
• May assist with operating (I) or may operate (II/III) 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;
• May assist with providing (I) or provides transportation and delivery of food in emergencies (II/III);
• May provide lead supervision over other Food Services staff (III); and
• Performs other related duties as required.

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE:
Food Services Assistant I:
No previous experience in food preparation and service is required.
Food Services Assistant II:
At least six (6) months of large-scale (100+ customers per day) food preparation and service experience.
Food Services Assistant III:
At least one (1) year of large-scale (100+ customers per day) food preparation and service experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to read and write in English and understand and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Must be willing and able to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to perform full range of body movements, including reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, and grasping with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be willing and able to work holidays and flexible hours; i.e., days, evenings, rotating shifts, weekends, and overtime with minimal notice.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must obtain a California Food Handler Certificate within two (2) months of hire and maintain as a condition of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
Working knowledge of the following:

• 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;
• proper methods of storing equipment, materials, and supplies;
• proper lifting techniques;
• basic math and record-keeping techniques; and
• interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Working ability to do the following:

• 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 (III);
• plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines (III); and
• lead and train other food service staff (III).

Supplemental Information: Duties are performed primarily in an indoor, inpatient hospital and/or institutional kitchen setting/environment involving exposure to temperature extremes (e.g., freezers, stoves, and ovens) at either a health care or correctional facility. FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
LATERAL TRANSFER: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please clickhere for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - 100%: An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether each applicant possesses the stated requirements. A score of 70 will be assigned to each applicant meeting the stated requirements. Such score will be considered as the final score for placement on the eligible list.
Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Vivian Merida by e-mail at Vivian.Merida@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 677-5231.
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. Employment Type: Various