Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Chester

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Chester (Delaware County); On-site; USD 49,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Corrections Food Service Instructor at SCI Chester. You’ll lead inmate workers in food service operations, develop vocational skills, and support daily meal production in a fast-paced setting.

The role focuses on teaching food preparation, sanitation, and safe handling of equipment, with responsibilities for overseeing assignments, records, and care, custody, and control. 40 hours weekly; evening shift.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service in an institutional setting or equivalent.
• Basic training completion in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• Background check and CJIS compliance required.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction in food preparation, production, service, and baking.
• Teach safe, sanitary operation, cleaning, and storage of tools and equipment.
• Ensure timely meal production and adjust ingredients per census and menu data.
• Requisition, receive, store, and rotate food and supplies while enforcing FIFO.

Skills

Food preparation

Institutional food service

Safety and sanitation

Inmate supervision

Job description

Salary: $49,010.00 - $98,728.00 Annually

Location: Delaware County, PA

Job Type: Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time

Job Number: N-2026-58728

Department: Department of Corrections

Division: CR CHS Food Svcs

Opening Date: 09/17/2026

Closing Date: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 81510

Position Number: 00243729

Union: PSCOA

Bargaining Unit: H1

Pay Group: CO35

Bureau / Division Code: 00112270

Bureau / Division: SCI Chester

Worksite Address: 500 East 4th Street

City: Chester, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 19013

Contact Name: Ronda Hugaboom

Contact Phone: [phone]

Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking a motivated Corrections Food Service Instructor who thrives in a teaching and leadership environment. This position gives you the chance to guide inmate workers, help build meaningful vocational skills, and strengthen daily operations. The fast pace keeps you energized and focused as you shape reliable, productive routines. Step into this important role at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Chester and make a powerful impact every day.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position leads inmate workers in food service operations and helps maintain effective, safe, and sanitary food preparation within the facility. It plays a key role in developing vocational skills and supporting daily food service activities. As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Vocational Training: Provide instruction in food preparation, production, service, and baking
• Safety Practices: Teach safe, sanitary operation, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of tools and equipment
• Meal Production: Ensure timely preparation of meals according to recipes and adjust ingredients based on census and menu data
• Food Management: Requisition, receive, store, and rotate food and supplies while enforcing first in, first out procedures
• Inmate Oversight: Plan assignments, evaluate performance, maintain records, and uphold care, custody, and control

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with rotating days off. Your work schedule will be determined.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $49,010.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service of a variety of complete meal menus in an institutional food service operation, food catering service, restaurant, or in a similar large-scale food production operation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.