Prison Catering: Caterer​/Kitchen Supervisor Catering - HMP Lincoln

Job Overview

Full‑time, part‑time, and job‑share positions available with flexible working arrangements. The role is based at a prison in Lincoln, East Midlands, and offers a good salary, pension and apprenticeship opportunities. No late‑night shifts are required.

• Oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritious meals for the entire prison population.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and hygienic industrial kitchen environment.
• Support offenders in developing cooking skills and gaining qualifications that enhance their employability.
• Plan and staff kitchen activities to meet daily meal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with current health, safety and hygiene regulations.

• 37‑hour week with shift patterns that may extend beyond 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday‑Friday, weekends and public holidays.

• 20 % unsocial hours payment in addition to basic pay (subject to working these hours).

• Band 4 salary (minimum and maximum) inclusive of the 20 % allowance: £41,328.

• New recruits start on the lower end of the band. Part‑time and job‑share arrangements are possible, provided all shifts are covered.

• Level 2 certificate in Food Production within hospitality and catering (or equivalent).
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2.
• Working towards, or holding, a Level 3 vocational qualification in catering (e.g., City & Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3).

• Familiarity with all current health, safety and hygiene regulations for working in a kitchen.
• Demonstrated competency in an industrial kitchen environment.
• Team leadership experience.
• Fluency in English (and Welsh, if required).
• Refresher training in food safety (HACCP) completed at three‑year intervals.

• Pension: choice of two Civil Service pension schemes.

• 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) of bank and public holidays added to annual leave. Work on some of these holidays may be required.

• After two months’ service, eligibility to apply for a season ticket advance for travel between home and work.

• Apprenticeship opportunities and further training in equality, diversity and health and safety.

• Flex‑working options (including hybrid working) may be available depending on operational needs.

• Minimum age 18.
• Open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (and family members with settled or pre‑settled status), and other eligible nationalities as outlined by Civil Service rules.

The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer and encourages applications from suitable candidates, including veterans, people with protected characteristics and those seeking reasonable adjustments.