Correctional Officer/Cook - Maine State Prison

Mainemuseums; Maine; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading correctional facility as a Correctional Officer/Cook, where you'll prepare meals and ensure the safety of residents. Enjoy a structured work-life balance with 12-hour shifts and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and paid training.

Benefits

Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurances

Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick leave

Gym Membership Reimbursement up to $40 per month

Free meals during shifts

Qualifications

• At least 18 years old.
• Two years' experience in food preparation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve approximately 2200 meals per day.
• Monitor security of assigned areas.
• Instruct residents in kitchen sanitation.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Correctional Officer/Cook - Maine State Prison

Pay Grade 16: $24.97/hr to $30.09/hr (rate includes a $1.00/hour Direct Care Stipend)

Job Class Code: 5207

04000.1471

Opening Date: May 12, 2025

Closing Date: May 27, 2025

We’re hiring moral, ethical, and dedicated individuals to join our team as a Correctional Officer/Cook at Maine State Prison, Warren, ME. Through the Maine Model of Corrections, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and residents. We believe that hiring dedicated individuals with a strong sense of compassion and professionalism is crucial to achieving this goal.

Duties Include:

As a Correctional Officer - Cook, your work will involve preparing and serving approximately 2200 meals per day.Responsibilities include monitoring security of assigned areas, instructing and training residents in kitchen sanitation and basic food preparation and serving food.This position requires exposure to chemical agents (OC Spray).

Pay Grade: 16 $24.97 - $30.09 hourly(This rate includes $1/hr. institutional stipend)
No experience necessary. Paid training with State Certification provided.
Lateral credit considered for experienced Correctional Officers.

• Base pay with no experience: $24.97 per hour.
• Base pay with experience: up to $30.09 per hour.
• Annual range: $51,937.60-$62,587.20when averaging 40-hours per week, not including shift differentials or Premium Overtime rate.

Work/Life Balance:

A base schedule of working 7 out of 14 days per pay periodADDS UP TO HALF OF THE YEAR OFF!

We are a 24/7/365 secured facility with 12-Hour shifts, Night, Weekend, and Shift Differentials, Premium Overtime Pay, and Merit and Longevity Increases. The workweek in a two-week pay period includes:

• 3 days on and 4 days off one week
• 4 days on with 3 days off the next week

NO MANDATED OVERTIME ON YOUR SCHEDULED DAYS OFF unless in extremely rare, emergency cases.

Minimum Requirements to Apply:

• At least 18-years-old.
• Possess a High School Diploma or equivalent (HiSET, GED, etc.).
• Hold a valid driver's license.
• Two (2) years’ experience in food preparation, serving and/or cleanup is required.

Background check is required. Must have no serious criminal or extensive motor vehicle records. Not all infractions are automatic disqualifiers. Find Automatic Disqualifiers at https://www.maine.gov/dps/mcja/attending/training/basic-corrections/standards.

Benefits Summary (further details below):

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurances.
• 25-year MainePERS Retirement.
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick leave.
• 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for new parents.
• 17 days of paid Military Leave for active-duty soldiers.
• Employee Assistance Program offering free support on work/life, financial, legal, and confidential counseling matters.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement up to $40 per month.
• We are an eligible employer in the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Uniforms provided.
• Free meals when service is during your shift.

Responsibilities Include:

• Observe, monitor, direct, oversee, and evaluate the activity and movement of residents within a specified area.
• Participate in the development and implementation of residents’ treatment strategies.
• Ensure observance of institutional rules, security, and safety.
• Counsel, support, and advise residents regarding personal matters, institutional rules and regulations, health and safety standards, and treatment strategies.
• Assist residents in adjusting to institutional life.
• Evaluate potential problems and emergencies through intervention and behavior management.
• Utilize pro-social communication, de-escalation techniques, and other methods to maintain safety and security.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To successfully perform the assigned work once hired, one must possess certain knowledge, skills, and abilities. These can be learned on the job and through top-of-the-line education and training that is provided by Maine Department of Corrections. These include:

Knowledge of:

• Resident motivation and psychology, problems associated with institutional life, and rehabilitation and treatment programs.
• Correctional institution rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of large-scale meal preparation methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of food service sanitation practices.
• Knowledge of Serve Safe regulations.

Ability to:

• Ability to cook, bake and serve meals.
• Understand and follow instructions and interpret and enforce correctional center rules.
• Perform strenuous duties such as climbing stairs and escorting residents.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Handle high-pressure situations.
• Read and perform basic math functions.
• Observe situations and behavior in detail, make decisions, and act quickly in emergency situations.
• Model appropriate pro-social behavior, attitude, ethics, and morals
• Utilize standard desktop computer technology (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Internet, e-mail) is also required.

Paid Education, Training, & State Certification

Successful Correctional Officers come from all walks of life. Bring your desire and commitment to be a positive role model and we will provide you with the best training and education to begin a stable and rewarding career.

• Six-Week paid ‘Basic Corrections Training Program’ (BCTP) w/State Certification.
• Classroom instruction and hands-on scenario training in the secured facility.
• BCTP held at Maine Correctional Center in Windham.
• Interested but unsure if Corrections is for you? Ask about our Job Shadowprogram when contacted by HR.

Learn More:

• How to Become a Correctional Officer: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/co
• Job Shadow Program: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/jobshadow
• Preparing for Your Interview:https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/interview
• Basic Corrections Training Program (Video): https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/bctp

About Maine Correctional Center

The brand new, $147 million, state-of-the-art Maine Correctional Center opened in June 2023 on its expanded campus in Windham, ME. We are a Medium/Minimum Security facility that houses both male and female adult residents, as well as a Minimum and Community custody facility for women called the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center. Maine Correctional Center recognizes the indispensable service, commitment and valuable contributions of its outstanding security, program, and support staff, and is dedicated to the ongoing development of a professional and skilled workforce with high ethical standards. We offer a variety of careers in security, education, social services, mental health, substance and abuse services, vocational trades and instruction, warehouse and logistics, law enforcement, and more.

Windham is the gateway to Maine’s Sebago Lakes Region and White Mountains and is part of the Greater Portland Metropolitan area. It’s a community filled with diversity and character in its people, restaurants, and businesses. Windham has a small village feel while being minutes from the bustling Westbrook community and Portland’s Old Port.

About Maine Department of Corrections

Maine Department of Corrections 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.

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 wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance– Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays,12 days of sick leave, and3+ weeks of vacation leaveVacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 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:https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/som-health-plan/premium-rates.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information aboutprogram requirements. https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/health-premium-credit
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 18.88%of payto 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 theFederal Student Aid office: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
• Living Resources Program– Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program. https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/living-resources
• Parental leaveis one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under theFamily and Medical Leave Act: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-employees/rules-policies/policy-practices-manual/Employee-Rights-and-Responsibilities-Federal.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in aMaineSaves457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn aboutadditional wellness benefitsfor State employees from theOffice of Employee Health and Wellness: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh.

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 accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.