Job Title:
*Promotional Only* Director of Dietary Services
Company: Humboldt County, CA
Location: Eureka, CA
Created: 2026-04-19
Job Type: Full Time
Job Description:
Salary: $21.86 - $28.05 HourlyLocation : Eureka, CAJob Type: Full-timeJob Number: 25-00222Department: Department of Health and Human ServicesDivision: 424 - Mental HealthOpening Date: 04/08/2026Closing Date: 4/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific DEFINITION*Promotional Only* Director of Dietary ServicesJob Highlights: Interacts directly with patients with chronic mental illness in a supportive, trauma-informed manner during meal serviceCollaborates with regulatory surveyors and auditors by maintaining compliance with applicable health, safety, and sanitation standardsParticipates in inspections and assists with corrective actions as needed to meet regulatory requirementsWork Location:This position is located at 720 Wood Street in Eureka, CA. Work Hours: A typical schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm, but can vary.DEFINITIONUnder general supervision, plans, coordinates, supervises, and participates in meal planning, preparation, volume cooking and portioning of meals for patients in a psychiatric facility; performs related work as assigned.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This full supervisory level class ensures that nutritional, properly prepared meals are produced in a large volume, institutional setting. This class is distinguished from Food Services Supervisor in that the latter is found only in a locked correctional setting. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES Plans, schedules and assigns the work of staff engaged in food preparation and distribution in the psychiatric health facility at the County Mental Health Department. Participates in the hiring of assigned staff, recommending selection for approval. Trains staff in institutional food preparation policies and procedures, techniques of food preparation, cooking and proportioning, including safe work procedures. Evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action and other personnel decisions. Determines work schedules and authorizes leaves, ensuring necessary off-shift and seven-day coverage. Plans a full range of meals including special diets, ensuring that all regulatory agency standards are met. Oversees and participates in the preparation, cooking and portioning of meals; prepares vegetables and fruits, cooks meats, soups and other foods; prepares sauces, gravies, breads and pastries; performs similar food preparation tasks. Ensures that food preparation equipment, cooking and serving utensils, kitchen work areas and the dining area are orderly, clean and sanitary. Uses, cleans, adjusts and performs minor maintenance to a variety of large institutional cooking equipment. Stores leftover food appropriately, inventories and maintains stocks of food and supplies. Maintains records of food and supplies used and meals served; prepares periodic and special reports as required. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of:Supervisory principles and practices, including work planning, scheduling, review, evaluation and employeetraining and discipline.Principles, methods and equipment used in volume meal preparation in an institutional setting.Nutritional and menu planning for the population served.Safe work practices and sanitation related to food preparation and service.Business arithmetic.Skill in:Inventory and recordkeeping principles.Planning, assigning, supervising, reviewing and evaluating the work of others.Training staff in work procedures.Planning, overseeing and preparing meals in a large scale, institutional setting.Operating, cleaning and performing minor maintenance to large institutional food preparation and cooking equipment.Maintaining accurate records and preparing work related reports.Making accurate arithmetic calculations.Reading, understanding and following recipes and oral and written directions.Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.Other Requirements:Must meet minimum standards specified in applicable Federal and State regulations. Possession of a certificate from a program for Dietetic Service Supervisors approved by the State of California or graduation from a dietetic technician program approved by the American Dietetic Association is highly desirable. Must routinely stand and walk for extended periods. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays and other off-shift hours.Desirable Education and Experience:A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:Three years of experience in large scale institutional food preparation and volume cooking experience. WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONADDITIONAL INFORMATIONHOW TO APPLYA complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applicants must apply online through the County's automated application system at Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer. It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. SELECTION PROCEDUREThe County utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow long does it take to fill out the application?You should allow 30 - 45 minutes to fill out your application. Can I change my application after submitting it?No. Once an application has been submitted, it is final. Applicants may submit a new application with updated information during the filing period if they wish. Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will not be considered.How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?You may receive communications regarding your application at different stages of the selection process. Important updates will be sent to the email address listed in your account at the time of notification. To ensure you don't miss any critical information, we recommend keeping your email address current and regularly checking both your inbox and junk mail folders throughout the process. You can also log into your account at any time to check your application status. If you have any questions about your application's progress, please contact the County of Humboldt Human Resources Personnel Division at 707-476-2349 or I be informed if I am not selected for an interview / Oral Exam?Yes, you will be informed via email if you are not selected for an interview / Oral Exam.OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSIONResearch indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways - oftentimes, outside of formal institutions - and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant's qualifications for a position. If you're excited about this role but your past work experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONSThe County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access and opportunities in its programs, activities, and employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disabilities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. If invited to an examination and you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Human Resources immediately at (707) 476-2349 so arrangements can be made. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThe county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. MEDICAL EXAMINATIONA pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.OTHER EXAMINATIONSSome positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.LICENSESSome classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.PROBATIONARY PERIODPersons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITYIt is the County's intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.DISASTER SERVICE WORKERSAll County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). 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.THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.Please Note: Extra Help positions are non-benefitted but may be eligible to purchase health insurance upon meeting the hours worked requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).RETIREMENTThe County of Humboldt participates in the CalPERS, with both the County and the employee making contributions toward the employee's retirement.CalPERS Retirement Program: Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62Please note that these are the tiers available at the County of Humboldt. Tier determination is made by CalPERS. Please reach out to Personnel if you have questions regarding tier placement. COMPREHESIVE BENEFITS PACKAGEOur generous benefits package includes:Health InsuranceMedical: Multiple plan options available through CalPERSCounty covers majority of employee premium and contributes to dependent coverageAdditional Insurance CoverageDental: Full premium coverage for employees and all dependentsVision: Full premium coverage for employees and eligible dependentsCounty-Provided BenefitsLife InsuranceLongevity PayEducational ReimbursementDeferred CompensationEmployee Assistance ProgramBus Pass ProgramOptional Benefits Employees may elect to purchase additional coverage including:Supplemental Life Insurance with guaranteed issuance period at time of hireFlexible Spending AccountsVACATION 1 - 3 completed years of service = 12 days (192-hour cap)4 - 10 completed years of service = 15 days (240-hour cap)11 - 15 completed years of service = 20 days (320-hour cap)16 - 20 completed years of service = 25 days (400-hour cap)21+ completed years of service = 30 days (480-hour cap)HOLIDAYSEmployees earn 15 paid holidays per year (specific dates as defined in their specific Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)), including 2 personal holidays.SICK LEAVEEmployees earn 12 sick days per year with an unlimited cap on sick day accumulation.PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESSThe County is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer.INCENTIVE PAYCounty employees may be eligible for additional incentive pay, such as on-call pay, shift differential pay, locked facility pay, or annual uniform allowance, as defined in their specific MOU.Please visit the County of Humboldt Human Resources website at for more information on benefits, labor agreements, and job opportunities.01 This is a promotional recruitment. Promotional recruitments are only open to current permanent status County of Humboldt employees. Are you a current, permanent County of Humboldt employee and have you passed your initial probationary period with the County of Humboldt? Yes No 02 Please select the amount of time that most accurately reflects your experience in large scale institutional food preparation and volume cooking experience. No experience Less than 1 year 1 - 2 years 2 - 3 years More than 3 years 03 Please describe your experience in large scale institutional food preparation and volume cooking experience. 04 Any other coursework, training or experience you would like to add that directly relates to this position. Required Question