Salary : $103,608.00 - $129,312.00 Annually
Location : Ventura Unified School District, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 27-D01-01
Division: Business Services
Department: Food Nutrition Services
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Closing Date: 11/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
RECRUITMENT DETAILSRECRUITMENT TYPE: OPEN/DUAL CERTIFICATION - open to all qualifying applicants
APPLICATION PROCESSAll applications must be submitted online. Application submissions will not be accepted after the recruitment closing date and time. Applicants may be rejected on the basis of an incomplete application or failure to meet minimum qualifications. The application is part of the selection process and is part of an overall assessment of acceptability for employment. All information provided is subject to independent verification of its accuracy. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide correct contact information by which to be notified.
ENTRANCE QUALIFICATION EVALUATIONThe screening process for this position, which may be subject to modification, will include some form of a(n): application screening, initial qualifications screening, documentation/certification screening, and supplemental application screening. The stated qualifications for the position represent only the minimum requirements and do not guarantee qualification for examination and/or placement on an eligibility list.
ESTABLISHMENT OF ELIGIBILITYCandidates who are successful in all screening and testing stages will be placed on an eligibility list. Typically, an eligibility list for a classification expires after six (6) months. Candidates on the expired eligibility list are no longer considered for positions within the class. An eligibility list may be extended by the Personnel Commission beyond six months, not to exceed two (2) years.
ADDITIONAL SALARY INFORMATIONNew Hires - Initial Salary PlacementThe District has established criteria in place that recognizes the education and experience new employees bring to their role in supporting students and the services of the District. Upon approval of the Director of Classified Human Resources, a new employee may be provided with advanced step placement up to Step 5 based on the following criteria:
Additional qualifying experience beyond that required for entry into the class (limited to no more than one step for each two years of experience related to the classification)
Additional education at the college level beyond the educational requirements established for entry into the class (limited to no more than one step for each two years of education related to the position)
All new hires placed at Step 1 of the salary schedule will advance to Step 2 after successfully completing the probationary period.
Longevity increments are offered based on years of service with the District: an additional 1.20% of base salary after completing 4 years of service, 4.10% at 9 years, 7.08% at 14 years, 10.15% at 19 years, 13.31% at 24 years, 16.46% at 29 years.
Promotional and/or transfer candidates will be placed at the appropriate step in accordance with established Personnel Commission Rules & Regulations.
Education IncentivesAll active, regular classified employees are eligible for an education incentive if they possess a college degree above and beyond the stated minimum qualifications for their classification.
AA/AS = 2.50%
BA/BS = 4.00%
MA/MS = 5.00%
Ed.D./Ph.D/JD = 6.00%
(Percentage increase on base salary, paid monthly)
POSITION SCOPE / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSPlan, organize, control and direct District-wide food service operations and programs including the USDA National School Lunch program and other District programs; develop and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures related to District food service programs and student diet plans.
Coordinate and implement menu and recipe preparation functions; assure food service programs and menus comply with applicable federal regulations and nutrition standards.
Train and supervise the performance of assigned personnel; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; coordinate and conduct in-services and food service training programs.
Provide technical expertise, information and assistance to the Assistant Superintendent regarding food service operations; assist in the formulation and development of programs to assure an economical, safe and efficient work environment; advise the Assistant Superintendent of unusual trends or problems and recommend appropriate corrective action.
Plan, organize and implement long and short-term nutrition programs and activities designed to enhance student health and food service programs and services.
Organize and monitor the purchasing, transportation, distribution and storage of food and related supplies to various District sites; prepare product recommendations; write specifications for the purchase of items such as food, supplies and equipment; oversee and approve food, supply and equipment requisitions; monitor inventory levels.
Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to food service activities and personnel; submit report to appropriate agencies to assure State and federal expense reimbursements.
Communicate with other administrators, personnel, vendors, students, parents and outside organizations to coordinate food service activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts and exchange information.
Develop and prepare the annual preliminary budget for the Department; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established limitations; oversee assigned grant funds.
Oversee the operations of computerized point of sale (POS) system; plan, purchase, interface and coordinate with technology and facilities on equipment requirements and placement; coordinate activities with accounting to assure student information accounting software interfaces properly with the POS system.
Operate a computer and assigned software programs; operate other office equipment as assigned; drive a vehicle to conduct work.
Attend and conduct a variety of meetings as assigned.
OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:KNOWLEDGE OF:
Planning, organization and operation of a large food service program.
Food service and commodity purchasing and procurement principles, practices and procedures.
Type and sources of supplies, materials and equipment utilized in a school district food service operation.
Menu analysis and development techniques.
Nutritional requirements of school-aged children.
Budget preparation and control.
Oral and written communication skills.
Health and safety regulations.
Inventory methods and practices.
Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training.
Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Operation of a POS system, computer and assigned software.
ABILITY TO:
Plan, organize, control and direct District-wide food service operations and programs.
Coordinate and implement menu and recipe preparation functions.
Assure food service programs and menus comply with applicable federal regulations and nutrition standards.
Train and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
Purchase quantity items and services economically, efficiently and in accordance with established policies, procedures and guidelines.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Observe health and safety regulations.
Operate a computer and assigned office equipment.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Meet schedules and time lines.
Work independently with little direction.
Plan and organize work.
Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
Direct the maintenance of a variety of reports and files related to assigned activities.
Maintain regular and consistent attendance.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in nutrition, dietetics, business administration or related field and five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in the administration of a school food service operation.
Note: Education and experience must be compliant with the California Department of Education Minimum Requirements for New School Nutrition Program Director for a school district with annual student enrollment of 10,000 student or more.
SELECTION AND EXAMINATION DETAILSEXAMINATION PROCESSThe examination process may include any combination of the following: a training and experience (T&E) evaluation; a web-based general assessment or written knowledge examination; a hands-on or performance examination; a structured panel interview; a situational judgment interview; or another assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for effective job performance.
All components of the examination process will be job-related. Candidates must attain a passing score on each examination component to advance to the next stage of the selection process and, ultimately, to be placed on an eligibility list.
EXAM PROTESTSProtest of any part of the exam process must be in writing and submitted to the Director, Classified Human Resources no later than five (5) working days from the date you participated in the exam. Any protest must include rationale to support the protest and shall include supporting documentation or references. Protests must be based on illegal discrimination, abuse of discretion, or procedure/process error. Protests should NOT be based on receiving unexpected results. We cannot be responsible for lost mail, misdirected mail, or failure of mail to be delivered after it has been entrusted to the U.S. Postal Service.
SELECTION PROCESSThe selection process tentatively includes the following:
Step 1: Application Screening (pass/fail) - Applications will be screened for minimum entrance qualifications. Applications will be evaluated and ranked according to criteria that most closely meets the needs of the department, so it is essential that applicants provide as much detail as possible and answer
all parts of the application, including work experience and the supplemental questionnaire, if applicable. If there is a high number of qualified applicants, a comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the performance examination.
Results of the screening will be emailed. Applicants who pass the screening portion of the examination process will be given further instructions. Notifications will not be sent until after the closing date for the position.
Step 2: Written Assessment / Structured Oral Panel (QAI) - Tentatively scheduled for November 3rd, 2026.All applicants must achieve a passing score in each part of the examination process in order to be placed on the eligibility list.
HEALTH & WELFAREPlan choices include:
- Anthem CDHP PPO 90 with optional health savings account (HSA)
- Kaiser Permanente CDHP DHMO with optional health savings account (HSA)
- Anthem PPO Medical
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Medical
- Cash-in-Lieu option: Full-time employees (40 hours per week) who can prove they are covered by group medical coverage, may opt out of benefits to participate in Cash in Lieu at any time of the year (up to $5,000 per year, paid out in increments of $500 per month (September - June)
, or you may contact Jodie Argueta in our Risk Management Department at: or 805-641-5000, ext. 1242.
HOLIDAYS16 paid holidays per year
VACATION22 days per year
ILLNESS LEAVEThe district provides for 12 days of illness leave per year, with unlimited accumulation for unused days.
RETIREMENTPublic Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
Social Security
01
What is your highest level of education?
- High School Diploma
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors of Science/Bachelors of Arts
- Masters of Science/Masters of Arts
- Doctorate
02
Which option best describes your length of professional experience managing and/or assisting in managing food service operations in an organized setting?
- between one (1) and two (2) years
- more than two (2) years, but less than three (3) years
- more than three (3) years, but less than four (4) years
- more than four (4) years, but less than five (5) years
- more than five (5) years of experience
03
How many years of experience, if any, do you have in food service management in an educational setting operating in compliance withNational School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act.7 CFR Part 210 - National School Lunc
