Salary : $147,472.00 - $184,329.60 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: D070D
Department: San Mateo Medical Center
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 9/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 50B

Description
San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC), located in the City of San Mateo, is seeking a skilled individual to plan, organize and coordinate healthcare food and nutrition services in multiple facilities. SMMC is a public hospital and clinic system. We are committed to partnering with our patients to provide excellent care with compassion and respect. The food and nutrition team at SMMC plays an integral role in providing value to our patient population and helping them live the healthiest life possible.

In a friendly and caring environment, the Food and Nutrition Services staff at SMMC is responsible for providing meals for acute inpatients and long-term care/rehabilitation residents, its satellite programs/services, as well as running a full service cafeteria and providing catering services for County Departments.

The Director of Food & Nutrition Services at SMMC works with clinical staff to develop and implement a comprehensive nutrition support program for acute, long-term care and outpatient clients; leads a staff of approximately forty full time employees, as well as on call and temporary staff; works in conjunction with food services supervisors, and a number of clinical dietitians; and represents the food and nutrition staff in patient-care management and Continuous Quality Improvement forums.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, engaged leader devoted to patients and staff and dedicated to progressing the organization.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Three years of experience in clinical dietetics and two years of experience in administrative dietetics in a non-commercial setting, including at least one year in a supervisory role.
• A current Registered Dietitian (RD) registration through the Commission of Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.
• Experience in personnel and budget management.
• The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with a variety of County staff, other agencies, and community members.
• The ability to analyze complex dietetic issues and problems, develop recommendations, and take appropriate action to resolve them is essential.
• Experience managing fast-paced operations across multiple facilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing and leading change, training, developing and supervising staff, and implementing diet software systems.
• Experience in preparing complex and detailed written reports, policies, procedures, and contracts is also desired.
• Exposure to lean principles and practices.

Challenges and Opportunities
The Director will work with other supervisory and clinical staff to create a model food service system by:

• Continuing to increase efficiency and productivity while providing cost effective meals to a growing and varied client group in a difficult budget climate.
• Ensuring that San Mateo Medical Center food service programs meet dietary and other requirements of various state and federal regulatory agencies.
• Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and staff morale.

Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and implement the Food & Nutrition Services Division's goals, objectives, policies and procedures; develop work plan; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; and review and evaluate work products and programs to determine compliance with health - regulations and budgetary constraints.
• Preparation of food service program budget and cost allocation plan; administer approved budget; and monitor expenditures.
• Oversee and/or direct the activities of workers engaged in the preparation, storage, delivery and service of food for all County programs and facilities; and ensure compliance with health regulations regarding sanitary conditions in food storage, preparation and service, in kitchen and dining areas, and in food service staff.
• Direct, oversee and/or participate in menu planning, quality assurance, and the purchase and receiving of food, food service equipment and supplies within guidelines of government nutrition standards, budget, and food product availability.
• Maintain contact with food and kitchen supply vendors and purchasing agents in order to make economical purchases and do long-range menu planning.
• Participate in selecting, training, motivating and evaluating personnel; and recommend and implement personnel actions such as promotions, transfers, discharges and disciplinary measures.
• Research, prepare and maintain fiscal records and reports; and prepare technical and administrative reports and correspondence.
• Represent Division to outside groups and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; and provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
• Principles and procedures of food purchasing, food preparation and maintenance of inventories, refrigeration and serving equipment, supplies and materials used in commercial-size kitchens.
• Local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding food service, and pertinent laws regarding food service in a detention facility.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation, fiscal management, cost accounting and control and budgeting in food preparation and service.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management.
• Menu planning and nutrition.

Skill/Ability to:

• Organize, direct and coordinate the activities of a commercial-size kitchen.
• Prepare daily and general long-range menu plans for large quantity serving.
• Plan efficient purchasing, ordering, storage and distribution of large quantities of food and supplies.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations and policies.
• Prepare and monitor food service budget for food, supplies and equipment.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with departmental staff, County departments, and others contacted in course of performing assigned duties.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Four years of experience in a commercial or institutional kitchen, which includes experience in all of the following areas: cooking, menu planning, food and supply ordering, and supervision of employees engaged in food preparation and serving.

Licensure/Certification:
This position requires possession and maintenance of Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); or be eligible for registration as a Registered Dietitian credentialing through CDR and obtain full registration with 3 months following employment.
Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.org/to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: Week of September 7, 2026
Combined Panel/Departmental Interviews: Week of September 21, 2026

Analyst: Debbie Kong (Director of Food & Nutrition Services - E350)
We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• Proceed to supplemental questions.

02

This position requires possession and maintenance of Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); or be eligible for registration as a Registered Dietitian credentialing through CDR and obtain full registration with 3 months following employment. How do you meet this requirement?

• I possess current Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• I will be able to obtain full registration of Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) within 3 months of employment.
• None of the above

03

If you are currently a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), please provide your current registration number and expiration date.
04

Describe the experience that has prepared you to manage a multifaceted nutrition services program. Include your experience managing food service for a cafeteria, catering, and patient care facility. Also include your specific role, the number of employees you supervised and the size of the program(s) where you gained this experience. Be specific.
05

Describe a major food service program that you developed and implemented that resulted in improved customer service and food delivery. Be specific.
06

Describe your direct experience managing a large commercial or institutional kitchen. Include the role(s) and responsibilities, number of years in each role, and location. Be specific.
07

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website
• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
• County Hosted Virtual Event
• County Hosted Job Fair
• CalOpps.org
• Civic Match
• College/University Career Center
• Community-based Organization Posting
• Facebook/Instagram
• Friend or Relative
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
• X (formerly called Twitter)
• Zip Recruiter
• Other (Please specify in next quest