Corrections Chief Cook

State of Minnesota; Lino Lakes (MN); On-site; USD 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota’s Corrections Department is seeking a Corrections Chief Cook in Lino Lakes. This role leads Cook Coordinators and incarcerated workers, directing daily meal preparation in a secure facility and ensuring compliance with policy and safety standards.

The position oversees selection, training, payroll, and evaluations, while coordinating food service operations during the evening shift. A ServSafe-style focus on health codes is required, with opportunities to mentor staff and

Qualifications

• Two years of lead work experience in a large restaurant, cafeteria, school, healthcare, or equivalent setting which included oversight for high-volume cooking, or baking, or food preparation.
• One year of full-time experience in a food service lead work/supervisory role that required at least partial responsibility for meeting health and food safety codes.
• Completion of a vocational/technical school program in restaurant, dietary management or related field that required hands-on training.

Responsibilities

• Provide directions/guidance as a lead worker to Cook Coordinators and incarcerated individual workers, so that assignments and duties are completed in accordance with department policy and procedure.
• Select, develop, and instruct an effective, efficient, and safe incarcerated individual workforce including hiring, scheduling, orientation, training, work assignments, payroll, and quarterly evaluations of incarcerated individuals.
• Oversee, direct, and maintain the incarcerated individual kitchen worker program in the preparation of daily meals.

Skills

Lead work

Food safety

Payroll

Scheduling

English literacy

Bilingual

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Menu software

Security reports

Email apps

Job description

Working Title: Corrections Chief Cook

Job Class: Corrections Chief Cook

Agency: Corrections Dept

• Job ID : 96940
• Location : Lino Lakes
• Telework Eligible : No
• Full/Part Time : Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified applicants
• Date Posted : 09/18/2026
• Closing Date : 09/24/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Corrections
• Division/Unit : Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) - Lino Lakes
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Evening Shift/11:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Days of Work : Sunday - Thursday
• Days off: Friday/Saturday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $25.22 - $35.83 / hourly; $52,659 - $74,813 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 203 - Service/AFSCME
• FLSA Status : Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Corrections Chief Cook provides guidance and lead work direction to Cook Coordinators, other food service employees, and incarcerated individuals assigned to food service. This position oversees the preparation and cooking of meals at the MCF-Lino Lakes and directs food service operations whenever the supervisor is absent.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide directions/guidance as a lead worker to Cook Coordinators and incarcerated individual workers, so that assignments and duties are completed in accordance with department policy and procedure.
• Select, develop, and instruct an effective, efficient, and safe incarcerated individual workforce including hiring, scheduling, orientation, training, work assignments, payroll, and quarterly evaluations of incarcerated individuals.
• Oversee, direct, and maintain the incarcerated individual kitchen worker program in the preparation of daily meals.
• Assist security staff so rules regarding incarcerated individuals' behavior and facility regulations are followed.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by supervisor so that the institution needs are met. Competently perform necessary duties of the Corrections Food Services Supervisor in their absence.

This position has direct contact with incarcerated individuals.

Minimum Qualifications

To be qualified for and considered for this position, applicants must meet all of the minimum qualifications listed below. Ensure that your resume contains descriptions of your work experiences sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below and indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to pass a criminal history check. For your success, you must be able to read, write, and communicate verbally in English and be able to stand, walk, bend, carry, push, and handle items the majority of shift.

Qualifying applicants must meet ONE of the following Food Service requirements:

• Two years of lead work experience in a large restaurant, cafeteria, school, healthcare, or equivalent setting which included oversight for high-volume cooking, or baking, or food preparation, OR
• One year of full-time experience in a food service lead work/supervisory role that required at least partial responsibility for meeting health and food safety codes, OR
• Completion of a vocational/technical school program in restaurant, dietary management or related field that required hands-on training.

Required Training:

Applicants who do not possess a ServSafe Food Manager Certification (or equivalent) at the time of appointment must obtain certification as a requirement to successfully pass the required probation.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Driver's License
• Experience working in a correctional or secured environment
• Experience directly overseeing and evaluating the work of others in a residential meal service setting.
• Experience with orientation, training, scheduling, and payroll functions
• Ability to navigate computer programs for food orders, menu software, security reports, tracking documents, and email communication.
• Knowledge of recipe yields, pan and scoop volume quantities, and commercial equipment.
• Knowledge of food values, allergens, nutrition principles, religious and therapeutic diets.
• Bilingual in a Spanish, Asian, or African dialect.

Physical Requirements

The completion of pre-placement physical components may be required for this position. These components consist of a tuberculosis screening. The selected finalist is required to review and sign a Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) for this position. For a copy of the PDA, please email Tracy Larsen at [e-mail]

Additional Requirements

The selection process may include screening the top candidate(s) on their criminal history, predatory offender registration, offender associations and/or other applicable background information in accordance with Department of Corrections’ policy. Top candidate(s) must pass a criminal history check which includes successful completion of all sentencing and/or restitution requirements of law enforcement jurisdictions, including probation.

Employment history/reference checks, including incidents of sexual harassment, will also be conducted on the top candidate(s) in accordance with Department of Corrections’ policy. This may include a review of job performance and discipline records.

New employees will be fingerprinted within the first 30 days of employment.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) does not participate in E-Verify. The DOC will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.