Corrections Food Service Coordinator (Ontario)

Initial posting: July 23, 2026 • Application deadline: August 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT

About the role

As a Corrections Food Service Coordinator at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, Oregon, you will manage daily food operations within a correctional facility, ensuring meals are prepared safely, served on time, and meet nutritional standards. You will coordinate, instruct, and lead adults in custody (AICs) who participate in food service work programs, helping them gain valuable skills for the future.

Responsibilities

• Adults in Custody Work Crews: Coordinate, assign, and supervise AIC work crews; enforce rules, procedures, and security; provide training and evaluate performance; maintain discipline and cleanliness; conduct searches for contraband; monitor timecards and work area conditions.
• Food Preparation/Service: Lead AICs in preparing and cooking meals per menus and recipes; operate commercial kitchen equipment; ensure proper portioning and quality; assist with special diets and suggest menu changes; plan cooking schedules and minimize food waste.
• Sanitation: Oversee AICs in maintaining kitchen cleanliness and hygiene; ensure proper food storage and equipment sanitation; manage dishwashing temperatures and supply rotation.
• Supply Requisition: Perform inventory checks; request supplies; verify deliveries; assist with food ordering; direct unloading and storage of supplies.
• Recordkeeping: Maintain records on food prepared and served, leftover quantities, inventory, and AIC work hours.

This position requires working in a secure institutional setting, including enforcing security protocols such as conducting area inspections and searches of AICs for contraband. The role is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

Requirements

• A high school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent education completion and one (1) year of experience in a commercial food service facility, full-service restaurant, or other food-preparing establishment; or
• An associate's degree in Food Service Management, Foods and Hospitality Service, or a directly-related field.
• Must obtain a Food Handlers Permit within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Note: Some felony convictions may disqualify you; contact the recruiter for details.

Skills

• Team/crew management of up to 70 or more individuals.
• Experience managing, supervising, and/or leading a kitchen (e.g., restaurant, school cafeteria, military dining, government or private food establishment).
• Demonstrated experience cooking a variety of foods (e.g., vegetables, desserts, breads, main entrees).
• Knowledge of progressive cooking to minimize food waste of cook-to-serve foods.
• Knowledge of food temperature safety zones.
• Ability to instruct work crews in proper sanitation procedures.
• Maintaining order while fostering a positive work environment.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate (preferred).

Working Conditions

• Works in a security setting with exposure to potential hazards, including adult male offenders who may become hostile or violent.
• Irregular shifts; stands and walks for long periods on concrete floors.
• Operates commercial kitchen equipment (e.g., grills, ovens, deep-fat fryers, meat saws, slicers, blenders).
• May be exposed to weather and temperature extremes in eastern Oregon.
• Snake River Correctional Institution is a non-smoking facility.

Benefits

• Family health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.
• 21 days paid military leave for National Guard and reserve components.
• Optional short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Term life insurance.
• Fully paid retirement program (PERS).
• Oregon Saving Growth Plan (457 deferred compensation).
• Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.

The salary range listed ($5,233–$6,271/month) is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS-qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range reflecting an additional 6.95%.

About the Department

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) oversees over 12,000 adults in custody across 12 state prisons and supervises more than 24,000 offenders on probation and parole. The DOC’s mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives. The department is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, striving to be an anti-racist corrections system that reflects the diversity of the population it serves.