Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Mercer

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

Job summary

The Department of Corrections, State Correctional Institution Mercer, is seeking a Corrections Food Service Instructor to share culinary expertise and help inmates acquire valuable vocational skills they can use upon release.

You will support the daily operation of the kitchen and provide hands-on instruction to inmate workers, teaching food preparation, safety, sanitation, and proper use of equipment to ensure compliance and quality. This is a public service role with meaningful impact.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service in an institutional or large-scale operation; or an equivalent combination.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet CJIS compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Teach inmates how to prepare, produce, and serve food according to recipes and standards.
• Train inmates in safe use of tools, equipment, cleaning methods, and sanitation requirements.
• Inspect food areas, equipment, and ingredients to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation rules.
• Order, receive, store, and rotate food and supplies using first in first out practices.
• Assign and review inmate work tasks and maintain accurate records of performance.
• Maintain care, custody, and control of inmates during all work activities.

Job description

Are you an energetic and enthusiastic individual who thrives on self-motivation and has a genuine passion for food service? If you are looking for a meaningful position where you have ability to utilize your culinary skills to make a positive impact, the Department of Corrections (DOC), State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Mercer has an exciting opportunity for you.

As a Corrections Food Service Instructor you will share your expertise as you help inmates acquire valuable vocational skills they can use upon release. Take a leap into public service by joining us today!

This role supports the daily operation of the kitchen and provides hands‑on instruction to inmate workers at SCI Mercer.

As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Food Instruction: Teach inmates how to prepare, produce, and serve food according to recipes and standards
• Safety Training: Train inmates in safe use of tools, equipment, cleaning methods, and sanitation requirements
• Area Inspection: Inspect food areas, equipment, and ingredients to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation rules
• Supply Management: Order, receive, store, and rotate food and supplies using first in first out practices
• Work Oversight: Assign and review inmate work tasks and maintain accurate records of performance
• Custody Control: 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 per week
• Work hours will be either 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • Schedule and off days will be determined during the hiring process.
• 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.