Correctional Officer​/Youth Rehab Food Service Specialist I

Correctional Officer / Youth Rehab Food Service Specialist I

Summary Statement

The class describes full performance cooking applying food service principles, practices and methods for food preparation activities and acquiring a working knowledge of correctional/youth security procedures and techniques.

Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

• Apply food service principles, practices, and methods governing food preparation activities such as food handling, proper storage and temperature control, and cleaning of kitchen equipment and utensils to comply with safety and sanitary standards.
• Instruct inmate food service workers in the operation of various commercial kitchen equipment such as dishwashers, ovens, toasters, meat slicers, choppers, deep fryers, food processors, steam pots, blenders, and mixers.
• Instruct inmates/youth food service workers in food preparation, cooking, safe food and storage handling.
• Supervise inmates/youths in their kitchen assignments, directing their activities and establishing a positive working relationship.
• Maintain a positive supportive relationship with youth/inmates food service workers through appropriate use of active listening skills to provide guidance as needed.
• Prepare and cook meals.
• Maintain control of kitchen utensils, tools and equipment.
• Enforce rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the institution and the department in the maintenance of discipline, order, security, and housekeeping of assigned locations and staff.
• Enforce personal hygiene rules for inmate/youth food service workers to maintain sanitary standards.
• Prepare various reports and maintain accurate records.
• Attend various Department approved training courses.

• Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Six months of experience in institutional or commercial cooking and baking.
• Knowledge of proper safety, storage and sanitation standards for food items.
• Knowledge of narrative report writing.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).
• At least 19½ years of age.

Selected incumbent’s annual base starting salary is $53,807. Upon successful completion of the Correctional Employee Initial Training (CEIT) course, and after being assigned to a facility, the salary will increase to $63,629.28. Additionally, the incumbent will be eligible for a 5% shift differential if he/she works four or more hours between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Prior to institutional assignment, candidates must successfully complete all phases of an eleven‑week Correctional Officer Basic Course administered by the Department of Correction Steven R. Floyd Sr. Training Academy. Coursework includes physical, classroom and hands‑on training in inmate supervision, defensive tactics, riot control, weapons, report writing and emergency medical training.

Employees in a Correctional Officer (CO) series position will be eligible to retire under the provisions of HB363 if, at the time of retirement, they have completed twenty‑five (25) years of pension creditable State service, including at least twenty (20) of those years as a CO series classified position.

The Correctional Employee Initial Training (CEIT) program is approved by the Veterans Administration of Delaware State Approving Authority for the training of Veterans.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E‑Verify system. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.

Applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check, physical ability test, an approved psychological examination, pre‑employment drug test, and medical examination. The recruiting agency requires the applicant to pay for the medical examination as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Strength and agility tests, a two‑step tuberculin skin test (TST) and a valid driver’s license are required as part of the…