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The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking dedicated professionals with a passion for purposeful work to join our team in the role of Food Service Worker I/II!

The responsibilities of Food Service Workers include a diverse range of tasks, including but not limited to food preparation, serving, and storage. They also play a crucial role in ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of kitchens and dining areas, while simultaneously handling routine tasks associated with the delivery of food and supplies to facilities within San Mateo County. Successful hires will be assigned to either the Maple Street Correctional Facility or the Probation Youth Services Center to provide coverage at either location as needed. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Food Service Unit prides itself on serving excellence in a challenging environment. To learn more about the Sheriff’s Office visit: https://www.smcsheriff.com/.
  
Rewarding aspects of the job: Your work will have a direct impact on the execution of food service operations to Incarcerated Persons within the two correctional facilities, the Youth Services Center-Probation and Staff. You will work as part of a team that prides itself on excellence in the correctional food service arena. In your role, you will have the opportunity to work with and train a team of incarcerated individuals to ensure deliverables for the day.  
  
Challenging aspects of the job: As a Food Service Worker within the Sheriff’s Office, you will be working in a restrictive environment inside a correctional facility that serves the incarcerated population. You must be able to handle multiple duties at one time, meet tight deadlines, drive a large truck, trouble shoot issues that arise, work independently, and ensure careful delivery of meals between correctional facilities.
   
The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Food Handling Skills: One year of experience preparing and serving food. Possession of a valid ServSafe Food Handler Certification from the National Restaurant Association.
• Food Safety and Sanitation: Demonstrated understanding and adherence to proper food handling, hygiene, and safety protocols. Awareness of the general food safety and sanitation codes and standards.
• Time Management: Efficiently manage time to coordinate the preparation and cooking of multiple dishes simultaneously. Prioritize tasks in alignment with established procedures and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines while following protocols. Ability to be at your workstation on time.
• Customer Service: Prioritize and handle tasks that directly contribute to delivering excellent service throughout Food Service Unit operations. Ability to make decisions that lead to appropriate resolution of an issue. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and those outside the department.
• Teamwork: Collaboration with other food service staff to ensure smooth operations and timely service.
• Stress Management: Ability to handle high-pressure situations, such as changes in assignments and unexpected issues in a correctional food service environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in effectively using and navigating various computer systems, software applications, and technology tools. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and nutrition management.
• Flexibility: Ability to work a flexible schedule as the Food Service Unit operates 7 days a week from 6:30 am to 7 pm year-round. This position may require you to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and/or other shift work.

Additionally, the ideal candidate for the Sheriff’s Office will possess a California Class C or Class A license, have a clean driving record, and be comfortable working alongside incarcerated individuals. Fluency in Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian (speak, read, write) is highly desired but not required.
  
Candidates chosen for these positions must successfully pass a background investigation in order to work in a locked facility around incarcerated persons. Felony and misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency.  
   
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office currently has one regular full-time vacancies with additional vacancies expected. The appointment may be made at either the Food Service Worker I or II level, depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate(s) and the needs of the department.
  
As a Food Service Worker with the Sheriff’s Office you will be responsible for:

• Directing the work of incarcerated individuals who are assigned to clean and prepare food or assist in related routine tasks defined by supervisors at specific facilities assisting Cooks in the preparation of meals.
• Driving a large or small truck to deliver food and supplies and maintaining basic records related to vehicle use such as mileage and service reports.
• Preparing food for cooking by peeling, cutting, or slicing.
• Preparing salads, sandwiches, beverages, and simple desserts.
• Setting up tray lines and/or individual trays.
• Maintaining safety and security of equipment and addressing issues that arise.
• Overseeing the activities of the dish room, including ensuring chemicals are ordered, monitoring the PH and temperatures of the equipment, and preparing daily items such as dishes, pots, pans, containers, carts, and equipment.
• Cleaning facilities including sweeping, mopping, and sanitizing work areas such as floors, storage spaces, trucks and emptying garbage cans.
• Assisting with deliverables including signing for, bringing in, and/or storing items.
• Performing basic office tasks such as answering phones, working with computers, and paperwork.
• Following Food Service Unit policy and procedures including arriving to work on time, submitting personal timecard and assisting in following up on requests in a timely matter.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

 

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies with the Sheriff’s Office or other County departments. 

 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
 
Food Service Worker I ($30.86 - $34.47 / hourly) is the entry/trainee level position. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn a full range of Food Service Worker duties. As experience is gained there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. This classification is flexibly staffed with Food Service Worker II and incumbents may advance to the next level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiencies which meet the higher-level qualifications.
  
Food Service Worker II ($32.50 - $36.35 / hourly) is the journey level position. Under general supervision, incumbents independently perform a variety of responsible food service duties. Incumbents work under specified guidelines and supervisors are available in non-routine circumstances. Specific duties may vary from position to position.
 
Knowledge of:

• Basic kitchen cleaning and sanitation methods.
• Operation and care of kitchen equipment.
• Proper lifting techniques.

Skill/Ability to:

• Prepare simple foods and beverages.
• Interact cooperatively with others including staff, patients, inmates and members of the public.
• Work rapidly under pressure.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness.
• Maintain basic records.
• Direct the work of juvenile detainees or adult inmates assigned to assist in basic food service activities at specific facilities.
• Operate a truck or van.
• Lift, carry or push materials, supplies or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Walk or stand for long periods of time.

Licensure/Certification: Must possess and maintain a current California Food Handler Card for the duration of employment in this classification or obtain card within six (6) months of employment. 

Application/Examination

Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
  
The examination process will consist of a scored evaluation of relevant training and experience. The evaluation is based solely on the responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who pass the training and experience evaluation will be placed on a list of eligible candidates and ranked according to their score (weight: 100%). Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent stage of the examination process. Applicants invited to the interview in the County of San Mateo must participate at their own expense.
  
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. 
  
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Training and Experience Evaluation: Week of April 13, 2026

Departmental Interviews: Week of April 27, 2026
 

About the County 
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

Analyst: Joshua Farinas (03272026) (Food Service Worker I/II S037/S038)