Food Service Worker - Specialist (Temporary)

Food Service Worker Specialist Temporary

Contra Costa Health is the largest county department in Contra Costa County with over 4,700 employees. Our mission is to care for and improve the health of all people in Contra Costa with special attention to those who are most vulnerable to health problems. We provide services through nine operational areas: Behavioral Health, Contra Costa Health Plan, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials, Health, Housing & Homeless Services, Public Health, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers and Detention Health.

The Contra Costa Health Department currently has a great career opportunity to fill one (1) temporary vacant Food Service Worker - Specialist position within Discovery House, located in Martinez CA. This position performs a variety of food service duties, including food preparation, meal service, and cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment and workstations to support the daily nutritional needs of residents.

Discovery House is a 40 bed residential substance use disorder treatment facility for adult men operated by Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Services. Discovery House provides a safe, structured, and recovery-oriented environment where residents receive treatment, support services, life skills development, and nutritious meals that contribute to their overall health and recovery.

We are looking for someone who:

• Dependable
• Honest
• Hardworking
• Positive
• A problem solver
• Energetic

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Prepare meals per approved recipes.
• Maintain adequate supplies for meal preparation.
• Inventory and order appropriate amount of supplies.
• Serve meals to beneficiaries.
• Clean items used in the kitchen such as dishes, pots, pans, containers, carts, and equipment.
• Clean facilities including sweeping, mopping, and sanitizing work areas such as floors, storage spaces, trucks and empty garbage cans.
• Assist with stocking supplies and deliveries.
• Report food quality or safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or the Program Manager.

A few reasons why you might love this job:

• Make a meaningful impact every day. Your work directly supports the health, recovery, and well-being of residents by providing nutritious meals in a therapeutic residential environment.
• Be part of a collaborative team. Work alongside dedicated professionals who are committed to providing high-quality care and recovery services.
• Develop valuable skills. Gain experience in institutional food service, nutrition, food safety, and residential treatment operations while serving a diverse population.
• Enjoy a dynamic work environment. No two days are the same in our 24-hour residential facility, where teamwork, flexibility, and compassion are essential.
• Grow your career with Contra Costa County. Benefit from opportunities for professional development, promotional advancement, competitive benefits, and a rewarding career in public service.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Working in a fast-paced, 24-hour residential environment where meal preparation and service must be completed on schedule every day.
• Balancing multiple responsibilities such as food preparation, meal service, inventory support, sanitation, and maintaining food safety standards.
• Meeting the diverse dietary and nutritional needs of residents while ensuring meals are prepared accurately and efficiently.
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen by adhering to strict sanitation, infection prevention, and food handling requirements.
• Collaborating with residents and a multidisciplinary treatment team in a recovery-focused environment while demonstrating professionalism, patience, and respect.

Competencies Required:

• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Manual Dexterity: Using senses, hands, and fingers in manipulating objects quickly and efficiently
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Organization Design & Structure: Establishing organizational structure and clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships

Experience: Eighteen (18) months of full-time, or its equivalent, experience in an institutional or commercial kitchen which included preparing and serving food, and cleaning kitchen equipment and facilities.

Selection Process

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
2. Training & Experience Evaluation: Candidates who clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualifications will have their training and experience evaluated. The responses to the supplemental questions, at the time of filing, will be evaluated to determine each candidate's relevant education, training, and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. (Weighted 100%)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

Conviction History

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at: