Exam Bulletin - Food Service Technician I

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1718

Examination Plans Included:

  • FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)

Bulletin Updates

  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I: $3,232.00 - $4,042.00 (A) per Month
FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I: $2,693.33 - $3,368.33 (F) per Month

View the FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1718

For FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01718

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00102194 - FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I

Experience: Six months of experience in an institution, hotel, or restaurant, either serving, cleaning food service areas, or assisting with the preparation and service of foods and beverages.
(Completion of the eighth grade may be substituted for the required experience.) (To be considered for appointment at the California Maritime Academy, candidates must be eligible for documentation by the United States Coast Guard.)

Position Description

00102194 - FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I

In the serving of foods and beverages: Arranges dining room furniture; sets tables; receives and serves food from kitchen; clears tables after meals; cares for table linen; and as required, assists in food preparation and related work in the kitchen.

In the preparing of foods and beverages: Washes, pares, and generally prepares fruits and vegetables for cooking; assists in preparing and dispensing food; relieves cooks, bakers, or meat cutters by performing routine operations such as stirring food, greasing bake pans, and grinding meat; and as required, assists in food service and related work in the dining room.

In both the serving and preparing of foods and beverages: Operates dishwashing machines, glasswashers, and other culinary equipment; cleans and maintains utensils, equipment, and work areas; loads, transports, stores, and delivers food, supplies, and equipment; maintains food at correct temperature at cafeteria serving counters; serves orders; performs miscellaneous pantry work; on a ward, may do such unskilled cooking tasks as cutting and toasting bread, preparing eggnog, mixing batter, and frying pancakes; may instruct and work with helpers from the resident population; and keeps records.

Special Personal Characteristics

Sympathetic understanding of and willingness to work with the resident population of a State institution; personal cleanliness, good sense of smell and taste; and freedom from communicable disease.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Methods of cleaning and preparing foods for cooking and storing food.
  2. Proper methods of arranging dining room furniture, setting tables, and serving meals.
  3. Various types of food service utensils and equipment and their uses.
  4. Methods of cleaning and maintaining food service areas, utensils, and equipment.
  5. Sanitation and safety measures in food service areas.
  6. General pantry work.
Ability to:
  1. Portion servings.
  2. Follow directions and keep simple records.
  3. Communicate at a level appropriate to the classification.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the FOOD SERVICE TECHNICIAN I Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Food Service Technician I Training and Experience Exam Preview

Section 1: Task Ratings

Instructions:
Using the rating scales, you will rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your FORMAL EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING COURSES, and WORK EXPERIENCE whether paid or volunteer.

Tasks
  1. Maintain a safe and sanitary food service area.
  2. Report potential safety issues in the work area to management.
  3. Serve appropriate food portions to avoid shortages.
  4. Organize and stock food and supplies to ensure efficient operations.
  5. Maintain service areas to ensure prompt meal services.
  6. Load and unload carts to deliver canned goods, fresh produce, and other items.
  7. Serve meals according to diet orders.
  8. Record overages or shortages of food and supplies to ensure efficient operations.
  9. Clean utensils, trays, dishware, tables, chairs, and work areas to maintain sanitary operations.
  10. Dispose of waste and clean garbage cans to ensure efficient and sanitary operations.
  11. Disassemble cardboard boxes for recycling.
  12. Discard expired products to maintain food safety.
  13. Assist with the preparation and labeling of items (preparing food, food storage, supply storage, etc) to ensure accurate and efficient distribution.
  14. Maintain a safe working environment to prevent injuries.
  15. Respond to emergencies (e.g., fires, chemical spills, evacuation, etc.) and provide assistance.
  16. Maintain a productive working environment to ensure efficiency.
  17. Maintain appropriate interactions with customers.
  18. Apply proper body mechanics when lifting to avoid accidents.
Section 2: KSA Ratings 
 
Instructions: 
Using the rating scales, you will rate your experience in accordance to specific job-related knowledge and abilities. 
 
Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided. 
 
In responding to each statement, you may refer to your FORMAL EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING COURSES, and WORK EXPERIENCE whether paid or volunteer. 
  1. Knowledge of basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) to apply them towards food preparation and distribution.
  2. Knowledge of sanitation and safety measures in food service areas.
  3. Knowledge of methods of cleaning and maintaining food service areas, utensils, and equipment.
  4. Knowledge of pantry work as it relates to inventory and storage of food and supplies.
  5. Knowledge of proper methods and techniques of food storage to prevent spoilage.
  6. Knowledge of proper methods of arranging dining room furniture and setting tables to serve meals.
  7. Knowledge of the proper usage of various types of food service utensils and equipment.
  8. Knowledge of cleaning and preparing foods for cooking and storing food.
  9. Ability to accurately portion servings when serving food items and beverages.
  10. Ability to actively listen, giving full attention to what is being communicated to follow directions and ask questions as appropriate. 
  11. Ability to communicate with individuals with varying levels of understanding.
  12. Ability to follow directions and keep simple records (e.g., temperature logs, food and supply ordering sheets) for food service.
  13. Ability to operate automatic dish washing machine equipment to properly sanitize dishware, utensils, serving tools, etc.
  14. Ability to organize and calculate the amount of food products and supplies in stock and make an appropriate judgment to identify when supplies are low. 
  15. Ability to physically lift and transport materials weighing up to 35 pounds as necessary and perform moderate manual labor.
  16. Ability to transport materials on a cart weighing up to fifty pounds.
  17. Ability to properly hand wash dishware, utensils, serving tools, etc. as an alternate method when dish washing machine is not functioning properly.
  18. Ability to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.
  19. Ability to read and follow directions/instructions at a level to maintain effective communication with staff, patients, and the general public.
  20. Ability to apply proper body mechanics when lifting, reaching, and bending in order to prevent injury.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.