Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Phoenix

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Collegeville (PA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a dedicated Corrections Food Service Instructor to oversee SCI Phoenix food service operations and provide vocational training to inmate workers. You will lead food preparation, safety oversight, and meal service while ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.

The role emphasizes hands-on cooking with leadership duties, menu planning, inventory control, and worker supervision.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in institutional food service or equivalent.
• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA.
• CJIS background check clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Teach inmates food preparation, baking, meal production and serving practices.
• Inspect work areas, equipment, and food for safety and sanitation compliance.
• Review menus and population counts, adjust recipes, and support timely meal service.

Skills

Food service experience

Inmate supervision

Safety compliance

Job description

The Department of Corrections is looking for a dedicated Corrections Food Service Instructor to support food service operations at State Corrections Institute (SCI) Phoenix. This position provides the opportunity to combine hands-on food service work with leadership and vocational instruction. You will help inmates develop workplace skills while ensuring meals are prepared safely and efficiently. Join a team where your guidance and expertise can make a lasting difference.

As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will oversee food service activities at SCI Phoenix while providing vocational training and direction to inmate workers. This position supports safe, efficient meal preparation and ensures food service operations meet established standards. As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Food Service Training: Teach inmates food preparation, baking, meal production, and serving practices used in daily operations
• Safety Oversight: Inspect work areas, equipment, and food to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards
• Meal Preparation: Review menus and population counts, adjust recipes, and support timely meal service
• Inventory Management: Receive, store, and requisition food and supplies while following first-in, first-out procedures
• Work Assignment Planning: Coordinate inmate job duties, review performance, and maintain required worker records
• Inmate Supervision: Maintain care, custody, and control of inmates during assigned food service activities

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• The work schedule is to 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 within 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.