Food Service Lead - Cook Coordinator

Food Service Lead - Cook Coordinator

Agency: Minnesota Department of Corrections

Job : 91247 |
Location: Faribault |
Shift: 10:45 am ‑ 7:15 pm (Evening Shift) |
Days: Wednesday ‑ Sunday |
Salary Range: $22.40 ‑ $30.89 / hour (annualized $46,771 ‑ $64,498) |
Full‑Time, Non‑Exempt

This position provides leadership, instruction, and direction to offenders in the preparation, presentation, handling, serving, and clean‑up of daily meals in the food services area. The incumbent ensures offender meals meet quality and nutrition standards and service timelines, while monitoring and adhering to safety and sanitation standards within the food services area to satisfy health codes.

• Lead and supervise cafeteria employees in the food preparation area, ensuring adherence to cooking procedures and safety standards.
• Prepare, cook, and serve meals, manage inventory, and oversee the cleanliness of the kitchen and dining areas.
• Maintain accurate records of meal preparation, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Train and develop offenders in food service skills, ensuring competency in cooking equipment, hygiene, and teamwork.
• Collaborate with nutrition personnel to meet therapeutic dietary requirements.
• Conduct daily inspections of facilities, equipment, and food safety procedures.
• Implement corrective actions promptly when quality, safety, or staffing issues arise.

• At least 18 years of age; ability to pass a criminal history check.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and communicating verbally in English.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, carry, push, and handle items for most of the shift.
• Experience:
  
  at least nine months of full‑time food production in a high‑volume cafeteria, school, hospital, fast food, restaurant, catering, or equivalent; OR six months of full‑time cooking experience in a correctional setting; OR completion of a full‑time vocational/technical program in commercial cooking or food preparation.

Must obtain Serv Safe Food Manager Certification (or equivalent) before the probationary period ends. Continuing certification is required to maintain employment.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Prior experience directing offenders in a correctional environment.
• Experience leading a large food service operation.
• Two or more years in a large restaurant, cafeteria, school, or hospital food‑service setting.
• Knowledge of nutrition, food values, and therapeutic diets.
• Bilingual abilities in Spanish, an Asian language, or an African dialect.

May be required to complete a Physical Demands Analysis and possibly a tuberculosis screening. The final candidate must review and sign the PDA.

Screening for criminal history, offender registration, and other background checks in compliance with Department policy. Reference and incident checks, including sexual harassment allegations, will be performed. New employees will be fingerprinted within 30 days.

We work to transform lives for a safer Minnesota, providing inmates and community‑supervised individuals with the tools to succeed in reintegration. Employees enjoy promotional pathways, competitive pay, benefits, and facilities such as free parking and workout centers.

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• Low‑cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Fertility care, IVF, diabetes care, dental and orthodontic care for adults and children.
• Six weeks paid parental leave for newborn or adopted children.
• Pension plan available after three years of service.
• Employer‑paid life insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.
• Tax‑free health, dental, and dependent care expense accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program for personal, financial, and legal support.
• Training, classes, and professional development.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunities for eligible positions.

The Minnesota state agencies are equal‑opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. We are committed to creating a workforce that…