Correctional Dietary Officer - Corrections

Howard-County; Jessup (MD); On-site; USD 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard County Government is seeking a Correctional Officer to perform correctional operations in the Howard County Detention Center and Central Booking Facility. The role involves food preparation, inmate supervision, and ensuring security under supervision, with a starting salary of $58,535 annually.

Qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED, two years of experience or equivalent, and eligibility for Maryland Correctional Training Commission certification within one year.

Qualifications

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED and at least two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and eligibility for certification by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission within one year of appointment.
• ServSafe Certification preferred and may be provided at department's expense.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and serves meals and maintains sanitation per State Health Standards.
• Supervises inmate workers, maintains discipline, and ensures security and custody of inmates.
• Keeps records and logs, processes intake and discharge of inmates, and writes incident/disciplinary reports.

Skills

Security awareness

Inmate supervision

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Two years experience or equivalent

Job description

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Performs correctional work at the full performance level under supervision from a technical superior and is responsible for maintaining security and the custody and care of incarcerated persons in the Howard County Detention Center and Central Booking Facility.

STARTING SALARY HIRING IS $58,535 ANNUALLY/$28.14 HOURLY.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs technical level correctional operations support work under regular supervision from a technical superior. Work includes general food service work preparing meals in the kitchen of the County Detention Center, serving food, and performing standard kitchen cleaning tasks. Work also includes the custody and security of inmates assigned to the kitchen.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

Food Preparation and Kitchen Operations:

• Prepares a variety of meals from approved menus.
• Maintains sanitation in accordance with State Health Standards.
• Maintains kitchen tool control.
• Conducts inventories, receives food orders, and requisitions supplies as required.
• Maintains appropriate kitchen records and logs.

Inmate Supervision, Security and Correctional Duties:

• Supervises inmate workers and maintains discipline.
• Maintains security over inmates and observes inmate behavior.
• Supervises inmate work assignments, recreational activities, and housing activities.
• Searches inmates for contraband.
• Inspects and searches inmate living areas, workspaces, recreational areas, and program areas for cleanliness and/or contraband.
• Conducts and records security rounds, formal and informal inmate counts, and inspections.
• Processes the intake and discharge of inmates.
• Receives and reviews legal, court, and official documents pertaining to inmates.
• Receives and issues inmate clothing, property, and funds under the supervision of a superior.
• Maintains inmate accountability and institutional security.
• Writes incident and disciplinary reports related to inmate misconduct, use of force, and other security incidents.
• Performs Correctional Officer duties as required.

Records and Reporting:

• Maintains appropriate records and logs.
• Prepares incident and disciplinary reports as required.
• Documents inmate misconduct, use-of-force incidents, and other security-related events.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Eligibility for certification by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission and possession of such certificate within one (1) year of appointment.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Citizenship or Resident Alien status.
• Possession of a valid ServSafe Certification. Applicants who do not possess ServSafe certification at the time of appointment will be enrolled in the appropriate certification course at the Department's expense.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. There is a risk of physical injury or possible exposure to communicable diseases, use of physical force required upon occasion.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read a limited number of two- and three-syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers. Ability to print and speak simple sentences.

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.