Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Chester

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's State Correctional Institution (SCI) in Chester is seeking a Corrections Food Service Instructor to guide inmates through hands-on food service training and ensure safe meal preparation. You will teach techniques, oversee meal production, and supervise inmate workers while maintaining custody and safety standards in a correctional kitchen.

The position is full-time with a 40-hour work week, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, on rotating days off.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service in institutional or large-scale settings.
• Experience supervising inmates or workers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Teach inmates food preparation, baking, service, and safe use of kitchen tools and equipment.
• Oversee meal production and ensure timely service according to recipes.
• Inspect food service areas and equipment for sanitation and safety standards.
• Receive, store, and track food supplies using FIFO procedures.
• Assign tasks, monitor performance, and maintain records for inmate workers.
• Maintain care, custody, and control of inmates during work activities.

Skills

Food preparation experience

Inmate supervision

Food service operations

Safety standards

Job description

What if your culinary skills could help teach responsibility and build confidence in others? As a Corrections Food Service Instructor with the Department of Corrections (DOC) at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) in Chester, you will guide inmates through hands-on food service training. You will support safe meal preparation, teach practical techniques, and help create a structured and productive environment.

This position provides instruction and supervision to inmates in food preparation and service, ensuring safe, timely, and accurate meal operations. It supports vocational training and daily kitchen responsibilities within the correctional facility. As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Food Instruction: Teach inmates food preparation, baking, service, and safe use of kitchen tools and equipment
• Meal Production: Oversee preparation of meals according to recipes and ensure timely service
• Safety Inspection: Inspect food service areas and equipment to ensure compliance with sanitation and safety standards
• Inventory Handling: Receive, store, and track food supplies while following first-in, first-out procedures
• Work Supervision: Assign tasks, monitor work performance, and maintain records for inmate workers
• Custody Oversight: Maintain care, custody, and control of inmates during all work activities

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/week
• Work hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This position operates on rotating days off.
• 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.

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.