Food Service Lead - Cook Coordinator

Location: Shakopee • Full-time • Unlimited (permanent) position

About the role

This position provides guidance, instruction, and direction to incarcerated workers in the preparation, presentation, handling, serving, and clean-up of daily meals in the food services area to ensure facility meals meet quality and nutrition standards and service timelines. Responsible for monitoring and adhering to safety and sanitation standards within the food services area while maintaining a secure environment. This position has direct contact with incarcerated individuals.

Responsibilities

• Direct incarcerated workers in high-volume meal production, including cooking, plating, and service.
• Enforce food-safety and sanitation protocols to meet regulatory standards.
• Maintain a secure environment in accordance with correctional facility policies.
• Monitor meal quality, portion control, and nutritional compliance.
• Oversee clean-up operations and equipment maintenance.

Requirements

• At least 18 years old and able to pass a criminal history check.
• Able to read, write, and communicate verbally in English.
• Physically able to stand, walk, bend, carry, push, and handle items for the majority of the shift.
• Must meet one of the following minimum qualifications:
  • Nine months of full-time food production experience in a high-volume cafeteria, school, hospital, fast food, restaurant, or catering setting, or
  • Six months of full-time cooking and food preparation experience in a correctional or secured environment, or
  • Completion of a full-time vocational/technical school program in commercial cooking or commercial food preparation.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Experience working in a correctional or secured environment.
• Experience directing the work of others, including incarcerated workers.
• Two or more years of experience in a large restaurant, cafeteria, school, hospital, or equivalent large-volume cooking setting.
• Knowledge of food values, nutrition, and therapeutic diets.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Asian, or African dialect.

Required Training

Applicants who do not possess a ServSafe Food Manager Certification (or equivalent) at the time of appointment must obtain certification as a requirement to successfully pass the required probation.

Physical Requirements

The selected finalist is required to review and sign a Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) for this position and may be required to complete a tuberculosis screening prior to hire.

Pay

$22.79 – $31.43 per hour ($47,585 – $65,625 annually).

Schedule

Evening shift: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm with rotating days off.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays each year.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Fertility care, including IVF, and diabetes care.
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children.
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children.
• Pension plan that provides income after three years of service.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief, finances, and legal issues.
• Daily living/convenience services: chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care.
• Training, classes, and professional development opportunities.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility (some positions may qualify).