Food Service Specialist

Food Service Specialist

Positions in this job family are involved in working with inmates to handle, prepare, cook, and serve food for regular, modified, and special diets at a state correctional facility. This includes maintaining clean and sanitary work, preparation and serving areas.

• Monitors and guides inmates working in food service.
• Prepares foods, salads, and desserts; cooks or bakes a variety of items.
• Supplies unit with meat, fish, or fowl as ordered; cuts and prepares meat.
• Cleans and prepares foods using tools such as knives, slicers and peelers, and equipment such as ovens and steamers.
• Follows written diet orders and master menu.
• Operates dishwasher; gathers, cleans, stacks and hand washes or scours pots, pans, dishes, silverware and other cooking and baking utensils.
• Removes refuse from kitchen area.
• Sweeps, mops, and scrubs kitchen, dining, and storage areas.
• Labels, loads, and delivers food carts or trays; picks up trays after use.
• Defrosts and cleans refrigerators, walk-in coolers, and related equipment.
• Maintains inventory by properly storing and rotating stock.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic food preparation techniques; of food service operations; of proper sanitation practices; and of basic mathematics. Ability is required to carry out routine tasks to completion; to follow oral and written instructions; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Education and experience requirements at this level consist of one year of experience in commercial or institutional food service or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of vocational or technical school training in food preparation for the required experience.

Some positions may require possession of a valid driver's license at time of appointment.