San Diego County Public Defender’s Office is hiring: Food Services Worker-246415

FOOD SERVICES WORKER

Food services workers assigned to a medical or detention facility as their primary location receive a $0.25 per hour premium in addition to their base salary.

Future Salary Increases

• June 26, 2026 – 6.87% increase to base pay (3.50% across‑board + 3.37% market increase)
• June 25, 2027 – 6.37% increase to base pay (3.00% across‑board + 3.37% market increase)

Additional Pay Incentives and Premiums

• Uniform allowance: $300 (reimbursed for hard‑toe shoes)

Job Responsibilities

Food Service Workers maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of kitchen areas and assist cooks with food preparation, simple cookery, and meal tray assembly for residents and/or persons in custody.

Desirable Traits

• Accountable
• Reliable
• Communicates Effectively
• Knowledge Worker
• Customer Focused
• Values and Respects Others
• Drives to Excel
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Quick and Continuous Learning
• Demonstrates Ethical Behavior and Supports Change

Hiring Process and Timeline

• Job offer and background process begins shortly after interviews (current county employees may be excluded from additional background screening).
• Pre‑employment medical screening approximately 3 days after successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated start date based upon successful completion of medical screening or another mutually agreed date.

Minimum Qualifications

• One (1) year of full‑time experience performing food services work for a company, agency, or organization;
• OR
• Completion of a college‑level course in Quantity Cookery or Therapeutic Diets AND six (6) months of full‑time experience performing food services work for a company, agency, or organization.

Certificate Requirement

The possession of a valid Food Handler Training Certificate is required either at the time of appointment or no later than ten (10) calendar days from the date of appointment, in accordance with Section 61.205 of the San Diego County Code.

Notes

• Domestic cooking or cleaning in one's own residence is not considered qualifying.
• For positions assigned to the Health and Human Services Agency, six (6) months of full‑time experience in a hospital or healthcare setting substitutes for the experience requirements listed above.

Conditions of Employment

Prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre‑employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case‑by‑case basis.