Culinary Manager/Program Specialist II

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job stability

Career growth

Meaningful work

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Utah Department of Corrections is seeking a Food Service Manager to oversee a central prison food service program. You will supervise subordinate staff and inmate workers, manage menus, budgets, and ensure strict compliance with food safety standards within a correctional environment.

The role requires strong leadership, extensive knowledge of prison food service operations, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership ability and experience overseeing teams.
• Experience managing subordinate personnel in a food service operation.
• Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and health department food safety regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of prison food service operations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage all lower-level Food Service Supervisors and work program inmates, including hiring, workload planning, training, evaluating performance, and disciplinary actions.
• Manage menu development, food service budgets and policies.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and correctional food service standards.
• Collaborate with purchasing staff, vendors and agencies to maintain supply of food, materials and equipment.
• Supervise facilities and equipment maintenance; optimize operations for efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Food service operations

OSHA safety standards

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Food service equipment

Job description

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package. Salary – $25.22 - $ Hourly Wage Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site Recruiter – Staci Ditzer | [e-mail] | 801-545-5511 Application Deadline – 11/16/2026*

• This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Do you have excellent leadership ability? Can you build cohesive and collaborative teams who will overcome constraints to achieve their own goals, while also serving others to help them achieve positive outcomes for themselves and their areas/divisions? The Utah Department of Corrections is looking for these and other leadership attributes, as well as a motivated, hardworking leader with first-hand food service and supervisory experience. We are looking to promote an exceptional leader to the exciting new Food Service Manager (Program Specialist II) position at the Utah State Department of Corrections.

Under the direction of support services leadership, the Food Service Manager will manage a UDC central prison food service inmate work program and operation. This is a senior level job requiring expert level knowledge of food service operations and an inmate work program. The Food Service Manager will develop and maintain cooperative relationships with all UDC divisions, as well as other state, local and private stakeholders. The Food Service Manager will also be required to supervise subordinate employees. This includes managing other UDC employees who supervise inmates in a prison work program.

This job is NOT public safety certified and does not require peace officer status or certification.

Qualifications

Principal Duties

The Food Service Manager Will Perform The Following Duties

• Directly manage all lower-level Food Service Supervisors (Program Specialist I) and work program inmates at a large prison facility. This includes hiring, determining workload, delegating assignments, training, monitoring, evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions.
• Manage menu development, food service budgets, policies, and operational requirements.
• Ensure operations follow all food safety regulations, laws, requirements, and established correctional food service standards.
• Collaborate with subordinate personnel, purchasing staff, vendors, and other agencies to maintain an adequate supply of food, materials, and equipment.
• Ensure proper maintenance of all food service equipment and facilities.
• Plan and organize food service operations for maximum efficiency, identifying potential problems and collaborating with stakeholders to implement solutions.
• Strictly adhere to safety and security guidelines within a correctional institution environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate For This Position Possesses

• At least 2 years of experience managing subordinate personnel in a food service operation.
• Experience adhering to OSHA workplace safety standards and health department food safety regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of prison food service operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven leadership experience and ability.
• Extensive experience with food service equipment, office technology, and software (word processing, spreadsheets, inventory software).
  
  

Supplemental Information

• Salary: Salary will be based on the current promotional process rules. DHRM rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current State of Utah employees.
  
  

Working Conditions & Physical Demands: Risks found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations (e.g., working at great heights, extreme outdoor weather, subject to possible physical attack). Work requires physical exertion including standing, walking over rough surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) recurringly or for long periods.

About The Role

Location –

1480 N 8000 W

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116

United States

Background Check Required – A comprehensive background investigation, which may include a polygraph, may be required.

Drug Test Required – Yes

Schedule Code – AX - Employees in supervisory positions

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , click here . Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
  
  

The Agency

The Utah Department of Corrections as a dedicated team of professionals ensures public safety by effectively managing offenders while maintaining close collaboration with partner agencies and the community. Our team is devoted to providing maximum opportunities for offenders to make lasting changes through accountability, treatment, education, and positive reinforcement within a safe environment.

For additional information about the Utah Department of Corrections please go to this link. http://www.corrections.utah.gov/

EEO Statement The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].