Corrections Food Service Leader 2

Wisconsin Department of Corrections; Fond du Lac (WI); On-site; USD 26,174 - 37,195; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation & personal time

Health insurance

Pension plan

457 plan

PSLF-qualified

Well Wisconsin program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Wisconsin Department of Corrections is seeking a food production lead to prepare and distribute meals for Persons in our Care and staff, while maintaining a safe, sanitary kitchen and training new workers. The role includes planning meals, procuring supplies, and managing food inventory within a secure food service department.

Responsibilities include leading large-scale cooking operations, ensuring quality standards, and coordinating with facility staff.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safe food handling practices.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes.
• Care for and operate kitchen equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead food production for large-scale meals in a correctional facility.
• Ensure safe, sanitary food service area and proper inventory management.
• Train new staff and supervise daily kitchen operations.

Job description

Position Summary

These positions are responsible for food production lead work. General responsibilities include: the preparation and distribution of the food, including special diets, for the Persons in our Care and staff of the institution; maintenance of a safe and sanitary food service area; care for and clean kitchen equipment; plan meals and procure supplies; maintain food inventory; maintenance of security in the food service department; and training of new Persons in our Care workers and food service staff in all facets of operation.

Salary Information

The CFSL 2 is in pay schedule and range 03-12 with a starting pay of $22.63 per hour. Pay on appointment for current state employees may vary according to the applicable pay transaction provisions of the Compensations Plan and Wisconsin Administrative Code. A twelve-month probationary period is required.

Employees at Green Bay Correctional Institution are eligible for a $5/hour add-on for all hours worked.

As of May 20, 2026, new applicants for select work locations with no prior permanent employment with the State of Wisconsin in the past five (5) years may be eligible to accept a sign‑on bonus of $3,000. The sign‑on bonus will be paid in two installments: $1,500 on the first paycheck and $1,500 with the paycheck for the pay period in which the employee attains permanent status (usually one (1) year). To receive the bonus, a candidate must sign an agreement indicating they will remain in the occupational area for one (1) year. If the candidate leaves prior to completing the one (1) year, they may be required to reimburse the initial payment.

Work locations eligible for the sign‑on bonus include:

• Columbia Correctional Institution (Portage, WI)
• Dodge Correctional Institution (Waupun, WI)
• Green Bay Correctional Institution (Green Bay, WI)
• Jackson Correctional Institution (Black River Falls, WI)
• Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution (Plymouth, WI)
• Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution (Prairie du Chien, WI)
• Waupun Correctional Institution (Waupun, WI)
• Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (Boscobel, WI)

Benefits

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
• Insurance: excellent and affordable health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment.
• An optional tax‑advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• DOC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• The Well Wisconsin Program helps participants set health and well‑being goals, track progress, stay motivated, and earn incentives.
• Employee Assistance Program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well‑being.

Job Details

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (citizen or national of the U.S., lawful permanent resident, or alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DOC sponsorship) at the time of application.

The Department of Corrections will conduct criminal background checks on applicants prior to selection. Upon hire, all new DOC employees are subject to fingerprinting.

The Department of Corrections may conduct pre‑employment drug screens. Any applicant who is offered employment in a position which requires a pre‑employment drug screen must pass the screen as a contingency of employment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge, training, and/or experience in proper methods of food handling.
• Use of standardized recipes.
• Use and care of kitchen tools and equipment.
• Materials, methods, and equipment used in large‑scale food preparation.
• Methods of leading food preparation activities on a large scale efficiently.
• Quantity cooking in an institutional setting.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Wisconsin is proudly an Equal Opportunity and Affidavit Action employer. We are committed to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants from all backgrounds. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service‑connected disability.

Application Deadline

Online applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the needs of the department are met. We anticipate using this Job Opening Until: January 14, 2027, at which time we will continue recruiting with a new Job Opening. Applications are processed every week, usually on Thursdays.