Correctional Food Service Officer

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction is a major state agency with over 19,000 employees dedicated to safeguarding and preserving the lives and property of North Carolina citizens. This agency plays a critical role in the state's justice system by providing prevention, protection, and preparation while managing the care, custody, and supervision of adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. The department operates a vast network of state prisons staffed with custody, healthcare, and facility operations personnel. It also encompasses divisions such as Community Supervision, Administration, Compliance & Accreditation, Comprehensive Health Services, Internal Affairs & Intelligence Operations, Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission, and Rehabilitation & Reentry, reflecting a comprehensive approach to adult corrections and rehabilitation. The Correctional Food Service Officer I position is an essential role within this organization, involved in supervising offenders engaged in large-scale food production and food service operations at correctional institutions across North Carolina. This full-time role requires effective communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as the ability to follow and manage detailed food service instructions and computer-based data accurately. A significant component of the position is maintaining food service equipment properly and understanding menu specifications to ensure compliance with sanitary food handling practices and nutritional standards. Additionally, the Correctional Food Service Officer must monitor inventory levels, rotate supplies appropriately, and ensure timely ordering of food and cleaning materials to support efficient operation of the food service department. This position offers a salary range of $32,639 to $57,117 and eligibility for a sign-on bonus up to $7,000 for hires before July 1, 2025, or $3,000 thereafter. There is also a $1,000 referral bonus available. Candidates should expect a dynamic and challenging work environment, overseeing offender teams involved in cooking, baking, and serving food within the correctional facility. The role requires balancing supervisory duties with providing training in food production to offenders, ensuring institutional food service standards are met safely and efficiently. The position supports correctional operations across various custody levels—from minimum to close supervision—giving candidates opportunities to work in diverse facility environments. Shift flexibility is required, as employees must work rotating, fixed, or split shifts that may include nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime. This role is critical to supporting the department's mission by ensuring the nutritional needs of the incarcerated population are met safely in compliance with institutional policies and food safety regulations. The job also offers comprehensive state benefits, creating a rewarding career path for individuals committed to public service and correctional institution operations.

• High school diploma or GED
• one year of experience in institutional food preparation and food services or commercial food service management or as a Correctional Officer
• eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission
• ability to work any shift including rotating, fixed, or split shifts
• capacity to work weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime
• willingness to supervise offenders
• compliance with State Human Resources Act employment eligibility