Food Service Lead - Cook Coordinator

Location: Rush City

Full-time, unlimited position within the Corrections Department. This role is not eligible for telework.

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. The role ensures facility meals meet quality and nutrition standards and service timelines. Responsibilities include monitoring and adhering to safety and sanitation standards while maintaining a secure environment. This position involves direct contact with incarcerated individuals.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee incarcerated workers in daily meal preparation, presentation, handling, serving, and clean-up.
• Ensure meals meet quality, nutrition, and service standards.
• Monitor and enforce safety and sanitation standards in the food services area.
• Maintain a secure environment while working directly with incarcerated individuals.

Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and able to pass a criminal history check.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate verbally in English.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, carry, push, and handle items for the majority of the shift.
• 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 environment.
  • Six months of full-time experience performing cooking and food preparation in a correctional or secured environment.
  • 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, particularly incarcerated workers.
• Experience directing the work of others in a large food service setting.
• Two or more years of work experience in a large restaurant, cafeteria, school, hospital, or equivalent experience in large volume cooking and food preparation.
• Knowledge of food values, nutrition, and therapeutic diets.
• Bilingual in a 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 probationary period.

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. For a copy of the PDA, contact Tracy Larsen at tracy.c.larsen@state.mn.us.

Additional Requirements

• The selection process may include screening the top candidate(s) on criminal history, predatory offender registration, offender associations, and other applicable background information in accordance with Department of Corrections’ policy.
• Top candidate(s) must pass a criminal history check, including successful completion of all sentencing and/or restitution requirements of law enforcement jurisdictions, including probation.
• Employment history and reference checks, including incidents of sexual harassment, will be conducted.
• New employees will be fingerprinted within the first 30 days of employment.
• The Minnesota Department of Corrections does not sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Pay

$22.79 - $31.43 per hour; $47,585 - $65,625 annually.

Schedule

• Day Shift: 4:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Days of Work: Tuesday - Saturday
• Days Off: Sunday and Monday
• No travel required.

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 providing income upon retirement (after working at least three years).
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
• Resources promoting physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being.
• Support for career goals, including training, classes, and professional development.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility (for qualifying positions).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief and loss, finances, and legal issues.
• Daily Living/Convenience Services, including chore services, home repair, trip planning, and child/elder care.