Correctional Cook Supervisor - Maine State Prison, Warren.

MaineGuide; Maine; On-site; USD 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Maine State Prison in Warren is seeking a Correctional Cook Supervisor to oversee a large central kitchen, manage staff, and maintain strict kitchen security. This role directs meal preparation, supervises inmates, and ensures compliance with sanitary standards and dietary requirements.

Responsibilities include menu planning, requisitioning supplies, training staff, and coordinating with units and infirmary to provide nutritious meals on schedule.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of materials, methods, utensils, and equipment used in food preparation.
• Knowledge of kitchen safety and sanitation requirements.
• Knowledge of food values and nutrition.
• Knowledge of menu planning and food preparation methods for large institutional meals.
• Knowledge of kitchen supply needs and requisition processes.
• Ability to cook, bake, and serve meals.
• Ability to clean kitchen area and utensils.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time under high temperatures.
• Ability to plan, direct, oversee, and coordinate work of subordinates.
• Ability to handle confrontations with residents.
• Ability to make decisions under stress.
• Ability to delegate authority.
• Ability to recognize security breaches.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, oversees, appraises, and directs the work activities of a large central correctional facility kitchen staff to ensure meals are prepared on time and kitchen security is maintained.
• Plans menus that are nutritionally balanced at minimum cost.
• Estimates food needs and initiates requisition for food to support the menu.
• Trains and instructs new employees and residents in their duties and coordinates cooking activities to ensure meals are properly prepared and served on schedule.
• Directs cooking activities to ensure coordinated food preparation and maximize efficiency.
• Allocates prepared food for distribution to units and infirmary to provide proper nutrition.
• Oversees and inspects cleaning of kitchens and equipment to meet sanitary standards.
• Oversees special menus (diabetic, low calorie, low fat) to meet dietary needs.
• Oversees monitoring and control of residents to maintain discipline and security.
• Secures and controls kitchen knives, security keys, food, and equipment to prevent pilferage and maintain security.
• Writes passes, escorts residents, and conducts head counts to ensure accountability.
• Performs shakedowns and searches to prevent contraband in the kitchen.
• Prepares reports on resident conduct, work performance, and kitchen requirements.

Skills

Food preparation knowledge

Kitchen safety

Nutrition knowledge

Menu planning

Food requisition

Coaching and training

Security awareness

Discipline and resident handling

Decision making under stress

Team delegation

Job description

Correctional Cook Supervisor – Maine State Prison, Warren. ANTICIPATED VACANCY. Grade 18: $26.54/hr to $34.16/hr (rate includes $1.00 Direct Care Stipend). Job Class Code: 5007 04000.3121. Open: November 06, 2026. Close: November 23, 2026.

MDOC is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice‑involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training.

We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is maintenance and personal services work of a supervisory nature in directing and overseeing food service operations and kitchen security for a correctional facility. Responsibilities include securing the kitchen and all kitchen equipment, overseeing cooking and kitchen operations, supervising subordinate employees and inmates, keeping administrative records, and requisitioning supplies. Work is performed under limited supervision.

Responsibilities include:

• Plans, coordinates, oversees, appraises, and directs the work activities of a large central correctional facility kitchen staff in order to ensure meals are prepared in a timely and effective manner and kitchen security is maintained.
• Plans menus which do not require the application of professional dietetic principles in order to provide nutritionally balanced meals to residents at minimum cost.
• Estimates food needs and initiates requisition for food stuff in order to obtain items required to support the menu.
• Trains and instructs new employees and residents in their duties and coordinates cooking activities in order to ensure meals are properly prepared and ready to serve at scheduled times.
• Directs cooking activities such as cooking and carving meats and bakery operations in order to ensure coordinated food preparation and maximize cost and operational efficiency.
• Allocates required amounts of prepared food for distribution to segregation units and infirmary in order to ensure residents are provided proper nutrition.
• Oversees and inspects cleaning of kitchens and equipment in order to ensure established sanitary standards are met.
• Oversees filling of special menus such as diabetic, low calorie, and low fat in order to meet special dietary needs of residents.
• Oversees monitoring and control of residents in order to maintain discipline and security.
• Secures and controls kitchen knives, security keys, food, and other equipment in order to prevent pilferage and maintain security.
• Writes passes, escorts residents, and conducts head counts in order to ensure accountability of each resident.
• Performs shakedowns and personal searches of prisoners in order to ensure contraband is not brought into the kitchen and food, knives, and other equipment do not leave the kitchen.
• Prepares reports on resident conduct, work performance, and kitchen requirements in order to evaluate and document resident actions and work habits and inform superiors.

KNOWLEDGES,SKILLS,ANDABILITIESREQUIRED: (These are required to successfully perform the work assigned)

• -Knowledge of materials, methods, utensils, and equipment used in food preparation.
• -Knowledge of kitchen safety and sanitation requirements.
• -Knowledge of food values and nutrition.
• -Knowledge of menu planning and food preparation methods and techniques for large institutional meals.
• -Knowledge of kitchen supply needs and requisition processes.
• -Ability to cook, bake, and serve meals.
• -Ability to clean kitchen area and utensils.
• -Ability to stand for long periods of time under conditions of high temperature.
• -Ability to plan, direct, oversee, and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
• -Ability to handle confrontations with residents.
• -Ability to make decisions under stress.
• -Ability to delegate authority.
• -Ability to recognize security breaches.

A full description of the job plus all of the knowledge, skills and abilities' necessary for this work can be found on the Bureau of Human Resources website.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

In order to qualify, you must have four (4) years of training, education, and/or experience in large-scale food preparation, including at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

State of Maine Benefits:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and well-being with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work‑Life Fit– Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidaysand3+ weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime‑exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize12 days of sick leaveper year.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays85%-95%of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28annual value).
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes a percentage of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out‑of‑pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program– Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental Leave– One of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employeesare eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and areprorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodation is provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply for jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.