Food Service Worker

Santa Cruz, CA

📍 Location: On-Site – Santa Cruz, CA

📅 Schedule: Full-Time Non-Exempt

💼 Department: Residential

📈 Reports to: Program Manager

💰 Pay Range: $23.00-$25.00/hr

✨ Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet, a leading California-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families, is seeking compassionate and committed Food Service Worker professionals to join our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and Children’s Crisis Psychiatric Program (CCPP). These specialized programs offer short-term, trauma-informed care for youth experiencing acute emotional and psychiatric crises, providing vital stabilization services to help them return safely to their homes, schools, or communities. If you’re passionate about helping youth navigate moments of crisis with dignity, empathy, and expert support, we invite you to join our mission of healing, resilience, and hope.

❤️ About Aspiranet

 Aspiranet is a mission-driven social services agency with a proud legacy of supporting California communities since 1975. We are committed to ensuring that every child is loved, every family is supported, and every individual has the tools to succeed. Our services span the state and are delivered through six dedicated divisions: Foster Care and Adoption, providing support for children and families throughout the foster and adoption journey; Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), offering programs that guide young adults as they transition from foster care to independent living; Residential, delivering therapeutic care in structured, supportive environments to help youth thrive; Intensive Home-Based Services, focused on meeting individualized needs within the home, school, and community; Behavioral Health, delivering short-term, intensive mental health services for youth at risk; and Family and Community, emphasizing early intervention and family-strengthening supports. At Aspiranet, every role contributes to something greater-helping to create a future where opportunity, hope, and healing are within everyone’s reach.

📝️ Position Summary

The Food Service Worker is responsible for preparing, serving, and maintaining safe, nutritious meals for clients and staff in a mental health care environment. This position plays an important role in supporting the overall treatment environment by ensuring that meals are delivered on time, in compliance with nutritional guidelines, food safety regulations, and any client-specific dietary needs.

Working closely with the Program Manager, clinical staff, and other program team members, the Food Service Worker contributes to a therapeutic and respectful setting that supports recovery and well-being.

🔍Key Responsibilities

1. Prepare and serve meals and snacks according to established menus, portion control standards, and dietary requirements, including special diets when prescribed.
2. Follow all food safety, sanitation, and infection control protocols in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
3. Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen, dining, and food storage areas.
4. Monitor food inventory, notify supervisor of needed supplies, and assist with ordering as directed.
5. Safely operate and maintain kitchen equipment.
6. Assist in menu planning to ensure nutritional balance and appeal, with input from staff and, where appropriate, clients.
7. Work cooperatively with clinical and program staff to support mealtime routines that foster a positive and respectful dining experience.
8. Maintain accurate temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and other required records.
9. Adhere to all agency policies, procedures, and licensing/accreditation requirements.
10. Assist with special events, holiday meals, or program celebrations as assigned.
11. Perform other assigned duties.

✅ Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. At least 1 year of experience in food preparation or food service.
3. Experience working in a healthcare, psychiatric, residential, or institutional setting.
4. Food Handler Certification or ServSafe Certification.
5. Knowledge of therapeutic diets and nutrition principles.
6. Knowledge of safe food handling practices.
7. Ability to follow recipes and portion guidelines.
8. Good communication and teamwork skills.
9. Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries in a behavioral health setting.
10. Meets all state-required conditions of employment as set forth by Community Care Licensing (Fingerprint and Child Abuse Index clearance, TB/Health Physical, valid CA driver’s license and clean driving record if driving is required).

💻 Work Environment & Schedule

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet and, at all times is within safe OSHA standards.

Communication

      1.Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with coworkers, supervisors, and youths.

      2.Must be able to comprehend, follow, and clearly convey instructions to others.

      3.Must be computer proficient and be able to work on a computer for up to 40 hours per week.

Physical Activities

1. Work performed in a kitchen and dining setting within a mental health program.
2. Requires standing for extended periods, bending, lifting up to 30 lbs, and operating standard kitchen equipment.
3. Exposure to heat, steam, and cleaning chemicals.
4. May interact with clients during meal service in a clinical environment.
5. Must have the ability and skill to drive a vehicle

❤️ Why Aspiranet?

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Access to the free Aspiranet Employee Perks Program. Enjoy exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, wellness, pet care, gym memberships, theme parks, and more.
• Flexible Hybrid Schedule. Enjoy the mix of remote and in-office work, supporting work-life balance.
• Flexible paid time off including 11 paid holidays, 10 vacation days, 10 sick leave days, two diversity days, and paid birthday time off.
• Access to our employee assistance program including 24/7 crisis line; up to 6 counseling sessions per issue.
• Training opportunities are available to support your ongoing development and career aspirations.
• Collaborate in a supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Opportunity to lead meaningful initiatives that support employee wellbeing.

🏋️‍ Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

⚖️ Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole.  Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

📝️ How to Apply

Join us in building brighter futures.

📝️ Ready to Apply?

Join us in building brighter futures.

Apply today through our career portal:

 👉 Click here to apply: www.aspiranet.org/careers

✨ Pro Tip: Once you’re in the portal, be sure to create an account to get started on your application! It’s quick, easy, and the first step to making a difference.