Food Service Lead - Cook Coordinator

Location: Rush City • Full-time, unlimited (regular) position • Day shift: 4:00 am – 12:00 pm, Tuesday – Saturday

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. You will ensure facility meals meet quality and nutrition standards and service timelines while monitoring and adhering to safety and sanitation standards. The role involves maintaining a secure environment and direct contact with incarcerated individuals.

Responsibilities

• Direct incarcerated workers in food production, including preparation, cooking, presentation, and clean-up.
• Monitor and enforce safety and sanitation standards in the food services area.
• Maintain a secure environment while working directly with incarcerated individuals.
• Ensure meals meet quality, nutrition, and service timeline requirements.

Requirements

• At least 18 years old and able to pass a criminal history check.
• Able to read, write, and communicate verbally in English.
• Physically capable of standing, walking, bending, carrying, pushing, and handling 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 in a large food service setting (e.g., restaurant, cafeteria, school, hospital).
• Two or more years of work experience in large-volume cooking and food preparation.
• Knowledge of food values, nutrition, and therapeutic diets.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Asian, or African dialects.

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

Additional Requirements

• The selection process may include screening top candidate(s) on criminal history, predatory offender registration, offender associations, and other applicable background information.
• Top candidate(s) must pass a criminal history check, including successful completion of all sentencing and/or restitution requirements.
• Employment history, reference checks, and review of job performance and discipline records may be conducted.
• New employees will be fingerprinted within the first 30 days of employment.
• The Minnesota Department of Corrections does not sponsor work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Pay

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

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 of paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children.
• Pension plan providing income after at least 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.
• Resources supporting physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being.
• Training, classes, and professional development opportunities.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility (for qualifying positions).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief, finances, and legal issues.
• Daily living/convenience services, such as chore services, home repair, trip planning, and child/elder care.

Benefits eligibility varies based on employment type, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service.