Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Laurel Highlands

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

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections seeks a Corrections Food Service Instructor to guide inmate workers in learning food service skills for safe, orderly kitchen operations. The role offers steady, meaningful work and contributes to positive change within a corrections setting.

Responsibilities include teaching food preparation and baking, ensuring safety and sanitation, overseeing operations, and leading inmate task assignments while maintaining custody and order.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service in an institutional setting.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Teach inmates food preparation, production, service, and baking in a structured setting.
• Guide proper use, cleaning, storage, and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Inspect food areas, adjust recipes, and manage supplies using FIFO procedures.
• Plan and review inmate tasks and evaluate performance.
• Maintain order and ensure safe conduct during all work activities.

Skills

Food service knowledge

Instructional ability

Job description

THE POSITION

The Corrections Food Service Instructor position with the Department of Corrections offers a chance to make a strong impact each day. You will guide inmates as they learn important food service skills that support safe and orderly kitchen operations. This role provides steady, meaningful work that helps build confidence and structure. Join a team that values commitment, responsibility, and positive change.

THE POSITION

The Corrections Food Service Instructor position with the Department of Corrections offers a chance to make a strong impact each day. You will guide inmates as they learn important food service skills that support safe and orderly kitchen operations. This role provides steady, meaningful work that helps build confidence and structure. Join a team that values commitment, responsibility, and positive change.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position leads inmate workers in routine and specialized food service tasks while supporting safe, clean, and efficient kitchen operations. As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Food Service Instruction: Teach inmates food preparation, production, service, and baking in a structured setting
• Safety and Sanitation: Guide proper use, cleaning, storage, and maintenance of tools and equipment
• Operational Oversight: Inspect food areas, adjust recipes, and manage supplies using first in and first out procedures
• Work Assignment Leadership: Plan and review inmate tasks and evaluate performance
• Custody and Control: Maintain order and ensure safe conduct 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 per week
• Work shifts will be determined by open shifts at the time of hire.
• The 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 (before taxes). However, a higher salary may be established in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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.