Corrections Food Service Instructor SCI Laurel Highlands

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Somerset Township (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections, SCI Laurel Highlands, seeks a Corrections Food Service Instructor to lead inmate workers in daily food service tasks and to promote vocational skills, safety, and efficiency. You will supervise menus, recipes, inventory, and training, ensuring compliance with sanitation standards while maintaining orderly, secure work environments.

This full-time role offers stable hours and opportunities to make a lasting impact in a correctional

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Vocational Instruction: Teach inmates food preparation, production, service, and baking skills through hands‑on training.
• Safety Oversight: Inspect food areas, supplies, and equipment to ensure compliance with sanitation and safety standards.
• Food Management: Review menus, adjust recipes, and recycle leftovers to support efficient meal planning and reduced waste.
• Supply Control: Requisition, receive, and store food and supplies while enforcing first-in, first-out procedures.
• Work Supervision: Plan work assignments, evaluate inmate performance, and maintain orderly and secure work conditions.

Job description

The Corrections Food Service Instructor role with the Department of Corrections (DOC) at State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Laurel Highlands offers an exciting chance to lead meaningful change. You help inmates build practical skills that support confidence, growth, and future opportunities. This position places you at the heart of fast-paced food service operations that keep the institution moving every day. Step into a role where your leadership drives progress and inspires positive momentum.

This position focuses on leading inmate workers in daily food service tasks while promoting strong vocational skills. You oversee safe, organized, and efficient operations that support both training and institutional needs. As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Vocational Instruction: Teach inmates food preparation, production, service, and baking skills through hands‑on training
• Safety Oversight: Inspect food areas, supplies, and equipment to ensure compliance with sanitation and safety standards
• Food Management: Review menus, adjust recipes, and recycle leftovers to support efficient meal planning and reduced waste
• Supply Control: Requisition, receive, and store food and supplies while enforcing first-in, first-out procedures
• Work Supervision: Plan work assignments, evaluate inmate performance, and maintain orderly and secure work conditions

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 will be determined by the open shifts at the time of hire, with a 30‑minute lunch.
• 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: In some cases, the starting salary may be non‑negotiable.
• 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.