Corrections Food Service Instructor - SCI Smithfield

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania; Smithfield Township (Bradford County); On-site; USD 49,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institution at Smithfield seeks a Corrections Food Service Instructor to guide inmate workers and develop practical vocational skills in food service. You’ll promote safe meal production and professional growth within a structured setting.

Responsibilities include teaching cooking and serving, maintaining sanitation, overseeing inventory, and supervising inmates while ensuring adherence to safety rules and menus.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service in an institutional or large-scale food operation.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Teach inmates how to prepare, cook, bake, and serve meals following recipes and timelines.
• Ensure sanitation and safety standards across food areas, tools, and equipment.
• Manage food and supply storage, follow FIFO, and adjust recipes based on census and menus.
• Plan and review daily work assignments for inmates and maintain performance records.
• Maintain custody and control of inmate workers during duties.

Skills

Food preparation

Food production

Inmate supervision

Job description

Salary: $49,010.00 - $98,728.00 Annually

Location: Huntingdon County, PA

Job Type: Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time

Job Number: N-2026-58225

Opening Date: 09/10/2026

Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 81510

Position Number: 00053357

Union: PSCOA

Bargaining Unit: H1

Pay Group: CO35

Bureau / Division Code: 00116470

Bureau / Division: State Correctional Institution at Smithfield

Worksite Address: 1120 Pike Street

City: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 16652

Contact Name: Yen Le

Contact Phone: [phone]

Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

Begin a rewarding career as a Corrections Food Service Instructor with the Department of Corrections (DOC) at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Smithfield. In this role, you will guide inmates as they learn practical food service skills that support healthier habits and future employment opportunities. You will help maintain steady, reliable kitchen operations while promoting structure, responsibility, and personal growth. Join a team that values your leadership and is committed to making a positive difference.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position leads inmate workers in daily food service tasks and helps them develop valuable vocational skills. The work supports safe, efficient meal production and teaches habits that inmates can carry beyond their time in custody.

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

• Food Instruction: Teach inmates how to prepare, cook, bake, and serve meals while following established recipes and timelines
• Safety Standards: Ensure that all food areas, tools, and equipment meet sanitation and safety requirements
• Inventory Control: Manage food and supply storage, follow first in first out procedures, and adjust recipes based on census and menu information
• Work Oversight: Plan and review daily work assignments for inmates and maintain accurate performance records
• Inmate Supervision: Maintain custody and control of inmate workers during all assigned duties

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 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • You will work a rotating schedule.
• 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.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

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.