Food Service Officer

Ada County Sheriff's Office; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Ada County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Kitchen Supervisor to lead the inmate dining crew and oversee daily meal service for inmates and staff. You will ensure safe food preparation, maintain inventory and supervise sanitation under health regulations.

In a small, collaborative team, you’ll train inmates, assign tasks, manage shifts including evenings and weekends, and help adjust menus while controlling leftovers. Strong communication and initiative are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Accredited high school diploma or GED required.
• Strong communication, conflict resolution, and initiative are key.
• Must be able to physically climb, bend, stoop, lift up to 60 pounds, and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead the inmate kitchen work crew.
• Oversee bulk meal preparations for inmates and jail staff.
• Maintain detailed inventory of food stock and supplies.
• Train inmates in food service and sanitation practices.
• Ensure meals are properly prepared and delivered to jail housing units.
• Ensure sanitation methods meet health department standards.
• Resolve conflicts among inmate workers and maintain a positive work environment.
• Complete incident reports on inmate behavior issues and injuries.
• Adjust menus considering quantities, recipes, preparation times and leftovers.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Large-scale food prep

Health & sanitation regulations

Diverse populations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade school in institutional cookery

Job description

General Summary

As the guiding hand behind our industrial-size kitchen, orchestrating the preparation and delivery of over 3,700 meals daily, this role offers a unique opportunity to showcase your culinary and supervision expertise. Working seamlessly within a small, close-knit team is essential, as our team dynamics thrive on collaboration. The successful candidate must be comfortable and effective in a group setting, contributing ideas, sharing responsibilities, and communicating openly.

Why it Matters

Operating efficiently within a small team is crucial for the success of our projects. Historically, individuals who navigate the dynamics of a close working group contribute significantly to achieving our goals. The synergy generated within the team directly impacts creativity, problem-solving, and overall productivity.

Essential Functions

• Supervise and lead the inmate kitchen work crew, ensuring efficient and safe operations.
• Perform related work as required, contributing to the overall success of the culinary operations.
• Oversee bulk meal preparations for inmates and jail staff, maintaining high standards.
• Keep a detailed inventory of food stock and supplies, ensuring availability when needed.
• Assign tasks and provide clear explanations of work requirements, methods, and procedures to inmates assigned to work in the kitchen.
• Consistently train and instruct inmates in food service and sanitation practices.
• Make recommendations to the Food Service Supervisor regarding inmates' retention on kitchen work crews.
• Review and ensure the quality of work performed by inmates, maintaining a high standard.
• Ensure proper preparation and delivery of meals to jail housing units.
• Ensure sanitation methods meet the standards set by the City-County Health Department.
• Resolve conflicts among inmate workers, fostering a positive work environment.
• Complete incident reports on inmate behavior issues, injuries, and other risk management concerns.
• Take necessary disciplinary actions when required.
• Adjust menus considering quantities, recipes, preparation times, serving instructions, nutritional requirements, appetite appeal, and efficient use of leftovers.
• Ensure special diets align with guidelines, are properly labeled, and delivered to jail housing units.
• Work and maintain availability for all shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Strictly control tools, ensuring proper tethering of dangerous tools when necessary.

Job Requirements

Nice to Haves

• Supervisory skills for inmate kitchen work crews, knowledge of large-scale food preparation, familiarity with health and sanitation regulations, and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Completion of standard high school/trade school course with instruction in institutional cookery or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Must Haves

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Accredited high school diploma or state-recognized equivalency certificate (such as a GED) required.
• Strong communication, conflict resolution, and initiative are key.
• Must be able to physically climb, bend, stoop, lift up to 60 pounds, and continuously walk and stand for extended periods of time.

Other Requirements

• Must conform to all health and sanitation regulations and be food safety certified.
• Must appear before an oral board and complete a polygraph and background check prior to entrance on duty.