Correctional Cook Supervisor - Maine State Prison, Warren.

Department of Corrections; Warren (ME); On-site; USD 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Maine State Prison in Warren seeks a Correctional Cook Supervisor to direct and oversee kitchen operations, security, and staff. You will coordinate meal preparation for residents, supervise inmates and staff, manage supplies, and ensure safety and sanitation standards.

The role requires supervisory experience in large-scale food service and a strong focus on security and efficient kitchen management.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of materials, methods, utensils and equipment used in food preparation.
• Kitchen safety and sanitation requirements.
• Knowledge of food values and nutrition.
• Menu planning and recipes for large institutional meals.
• Kitchen supply needs and requisition processes.
• Ability to cook, bake, and serve meals.
• Ability to clean kitchen areas and utensils.
• Ability to supervise subordinate staff and residents.
• Ability to handle confrontations and decisions under stress.
• Ability to recognize security breaches.

Responsibilities

• Directs central kitchen staff to ensure timely meals and maintain kitchen security.
• Plans menus and oversees food preparation to balance nutrition and cost.
• Estimates food needs and initiates requisition for supplies.
• Trains new staff and residents in duties and kitchen activities.
• Directs cooking, carving and bakery operations for coordinated prep.
• Allocates prepared food to units to ensure nutrition.
• Inspects kitchen cleanliness and equipment sanitation.
• Oversees special dietary requests and resident monitoring.
• Secures knives, keys and equipment to prevent loss and ensure safety.
• Writes reports on conduct, performance and kitchen requirements.

Skills

Food preparation

Kitchen safety

Nutrition knowledge

Menu planning

Supervisory skills

Security awareness

Training staff

Decision making under stress

Delegation

Security inspections

Education

Experience in large-scale food prep

Job description

Job Title

Correctional Cook Supervisor - Maine State Prison, Warren.

Job Details

*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.

About MDOC

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

• 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.
• Perform 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• -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.

Benefits

• Work-Life Fit - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. 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, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48 annual 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.
• Dental Insurance - The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual 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—receive six 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 employees are 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Please note reasonable accommodation is provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.