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Food Services Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Food Service Associate

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

Tuition Reimbursement Program * Full-time associates will also be eligible for medical benefits The Food Services Associate is primarily responsible for completing sales transactions within the ...

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Food Service Associate

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.25/hr

Tuition Reimbursement Program * Full-time associates will also be eligible for medical benefits The Food Services Associate is primarily responsible for completing sales transactions within the ...

Hospitality Services Associate

Fresno, CA · On-site

$15 - $20.25/hr

Hospitality Services Associate Fresno Mission works to Rescue, Restore and Empower those dealing ... Follow all food safety and sanitation procedures * Support the daily needs of the coffee shop as ...

We are currently seeking a dependable, service-minded Hospitality Services Associate to join our ... Follow all food safety and sanitation procedures * Support the daily needs of the coffee shop as ...

Summary The Food Services Team Lead guides and directs operations as well as guest relations and ... Associate's degree Food Safety Manager Certification Salary Range $16.75 - $25.27 Salary ranges ...

Summary The Food Services Team Lead guides and directs operations as well as guest relations and ... Associate's degree Food Safety Manager Certification Salary Range $16.75 - $25.27 Salary ranges ...

... services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country ... With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized ...

New

... services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country ... With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized ...

... services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country ... With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized ...

Food Service - Associate

San Diego, CA

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Food Service Associate Who are we: For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

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Food Services Associate information

See California salary details

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How much do food services associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for food services associate in California is $15.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.27 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food services associate?

Food Services Associates are professionals who assist in the preparation, serving, and clean-up of meals in various establishments such as hospitals, schools, restaurants, and cafeterias. Their responsibilities often include taking food orders, serving meals to customers or patients, maintaining cleanliness in dining and kitchen areas, and ensuring food safety standards are met. They play a crucial role in providing excellent customer service and supporting the overall operation of the food service environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food services associate?

To thrive as a Food Services Associate, you need basic food handling knowledge, attention to cleanliness, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food safety certifications (such as ServSafe), and kitchen equipment is typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and customer service skills help you succeed in a fast-paced environment. These abilities ensure safe food preparation, positive customer experiences, and efficient service operations.

What are some common challenges faced by food services associates when working during peak meal times?

Food Services Associates often encounter high-pressure situations during peak meal times, such as lunch and dinner rushes. Managing large volumes of orders while maintaining accuracy and ensuring food safety can be challenging. Effective communication with kitchen staff and staying organized are essential to prevent delays or mistakes. Adapting to fast-paced environments and handling customer inquiries with professionalism are also important skills for success in this role.

What is the difference between Food Services Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectFood Services AssociateFood Service Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, schoolsRestaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, schools
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in healthcare, education, and hospitality sectorsWidely used across food service establishments
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, serving, cleaning, customer serviceServing food, cleaning, basic food prep

The Food Services Associate and Food Service Worker roles are similar in credentials, work environment, and industry usage. Both positions involve food handling, customer service, and cleaning tasks in various food service settings. The main difference often lies in specific job duties or employer terminology, but they are generally interchangeable in many establishments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Services jobs in California?

The most popular types of Food Services jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Services Associate jobs in California?

For Food Services Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Services Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Services Associate jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Food Services Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Food Services Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Services Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,378 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

On-Call Food Services Associate

Napa, CA • On-site

$21 - $27/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

POSITION: Food Service Associate  

REPORTS TO: Sous Chef 

STATUS: On-Call 

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Associate I 

UNION ELIGIBLE: No 

WORK ARRANGEMENT:100% onsite 

LOCATION: EHC 

SALARY RANGE: Hourly 21.00 – 27.00 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled 


About the LightHouse 

Founded in San Francisco in 1902, the LightHouse’s vision is a world where blind and low vision people flourish, and its mission is to promote independence, community, and equity created by and with blind and low vision people.  

LightHouse Values  

  • Blindness Positivity: We take pride in our ability to navigate our lives as blind and low vision people. 
  • Disability Justice: We recognize the inherent worth of every person and commit to advancing equity and interdependency. 
  • Inclusion: We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to belong and live to their full potential, encompassing their identities, backgrounds, and abilities. 
  • Excellence: We provide the highest-quality services and products, and we continuously learn, improve, and innovate. 
  • Empowerment: We encourage self-determination, independence, and autonomy. 
  • Compassion: We make efforts to understand one another, and we treat every person with dignity and respect.

OVERVIEW 

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, headquartered in Napa, is looking for a On-Call Food Service Associate to primarily support our Enchanted Hills our retreat center and summer camp located in Napa, CA. This position provides flexible support across multiple roles, including Front of House Associate, Dishwasher, and Prep Cook. This position requires adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining high-standards of service and cleanliness.  

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Front of House (FOH Associate) 

  • Facilitating daily operations in the dining room.
  • Setting Tables/Bussing Tables
  • Cleaning Multiple Areas Including but not limited to:
  • Dining Tables and Chairs
  • Busing Station
  • Coffee Station
  • Serving Station
  • Assist the kitchen in plating and serving food whether it is family style, buffet, or plated meals.
  • Maintain a clean coffee station that is continuously stocked.
  • Maintain cleanliness throughout allFront-of-House (FOH) areas, including, emptying trash, removing all trash from dining room.
  • Assistkitchen staff withadditionaltasking if needed, which could include:
  • Cleaning surfaces
  • Mopping
  • Sweeping
  • Labeling and storing food
  • All otherdirectionsfrom the kitchen
  • Maintain cleaning and task logs
  • Upholdhigh standardsfor work areas and personal hygiene
  • Perform opening, closing, and side work duties as instructed and according to proper guidelines
  • Maintain excellent customer service and a positivedemeanortowards guests, customers, clients, co-workers, etc. 

Dishwasher/Prep Cook  

  • Operate dishwashing equipment to ensure thorough cleaning of dishes, glassware, and silverware
  • Wash pots, pans, kitchen utensils, and other equipment following proper procedures for cleanliness and sanitation
  • Maintain cleanliness throughout all Back-of-House (BOH) areas, including sweeping, emptying trash, mopping, deck brushing, and squeegeeing
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization in the dishwashing area
  • Assistkitchen staff with food prep as directed
  • Maintain cleaning and temperature logs
  • Upholdhigh standardsfor work areas and personal hygiene
  • Perform opening, closing, and side work duties as instructed and according to proper guidelines
  • Maintain excellent customer service and a positivedemeanortowards guests, customers, clients, co-workers, etc.

EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE 

Front of House Associate  

  • Dining room fully set 15 minutes prior to services 
  • Respond to guests with 2 minutes of requestion with 90 percent positive feedback
  • Dining room fully cleaned to be rest with 45 mins after meal ends
  • Arrives on time 95 percent for each shift completes all assigned tasks and side work

Dishwasher 

  • Rack Turnover: Load, Wash, and Unload a FULL rack of dishes on pace of 3 mins per rack
  • Sink Washing: Hand washing items with proper 3 compartment sink protocols,maintaininga wash rate of 45 seconds per item
  • Sanitation Compliance:
  • Spotless Rate-Maintaininga spotless rate of 95 percent of the time on all dishes washed the first time.
  • Cleaning-Complete all cleaning logspertaining torole, to acceptable standards once a shift.
  • Soap Usage-Using correctsoaps, andcleaning chemicals 100 percent of the time.
  • Storage-Put away 100 percent dishes cleaned on shift
  • Disposal-Check all garbage’s once an hour and empty if 75 percent full.

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Validated knowledge of basic principles of food preparation, various cooking methods, and food safety regulations
  • Demonstrated basic math and counting skills
  • Ability to follow directions and a willingness to ask clarifying questions
  • Ability to communicate in written and spoken English
  • Interest in learning and expanding skill set
  • Compliance with dress code requirements
  • High volume experience in any restaurant, fast-casual, or cafeteria setting
  • Ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
  • Mustpossessorhave the ability toobtain a valid CA food handler permit
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays
  • Employment subject to satisfactory background check
  • Valid Driver’s License

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

  • Capable of significant walking over uneven terrain
  • Ability to work in a standing position for extended periods (up to 8 hours)
  • Frequentlylift upto 50 pounds and occasionally team lift/move 50 pounds
  • Manage physical activities such as standing, bending, stooping, stretching, daily exposure to the sun and heat, and varying environmental conditions
  • Ability to safely work with sensitive materials and/or chemicals
  • May be asked to work at other locations on occasion

WORKING CONDITIONS 

LightHouse is an equal opportunity employer.  LightHouse policy and the law prohibit discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, ancestry, religion or religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, age (40 and over), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin (including language use restrictions), marital status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, denial of Family and Medical Care leave, height and weight, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances.  Our policy and the law prohibit co-workers, third parties, supervisors, and managers from engaging in such conduct. 

We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace.  Employees are expected to behave in accordance with these objectives.