Culinary Arts Instructor (Full-Time) (35 Hour) (Vocational Instructor)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) Unified School District #1 is a prominent public sector educational institution dedicated to providing quality educational programs to incarcerated individuals within the state correctional facilities. As an integral part of the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Unified School District #1 (USD #1) offers an inclusive academic environment where students can gain academic knowledge, vocational competencies, and essential life skills, all enriched by technology integration. The agency manages 13 correctional facilities statewide and is headquartered in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Its mission encompasses not only the safe incarceration of offenders but also their rehabilitation through education and vocational training, aiming for successful societal reintegration.

The Connecticut DOC is committed to fostering multicultural awareness, lifelong learning, and positive behavioral change. USD #1’s educational offerings include K-12 high school programs, adult basic education (ABE), General Education Development (GED), credit diploma programs (CDP), English as a Second Language (ESL) and TESOL, as well as a wide variety of career-technical education (CTE) programs. The District’s motto, "Non Sum Qualis Eram," meaning "I am not what I once was," illustrates the transformative power of education in the lives of its students.

The Culinary Arts Instructor role is a vital position within this integrated school system designed specifically for vocational and occupational instruction for incarcerated individuals. This full-time, first-shift position operates on a 12-month school calendar, 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Starting salaries vary based on educational attainment, ranging from $68,792 for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree to $77,294 for those holding a Sixth Year degree. Selected candidates are expected to attend a 14-week training at the CTDOC Training Academy and may be required to present a lesson plan during the interview or within one of the correctional facilities.

In this role, the Culinary Arts Instructor will teach the industry technology, including kitchen sanitation and safety, food preparation, and cooking methods. The program serves as the foundational step for students pursuing careers in commercial food preparation. Courses combine classroom theory and laboratory practice where students participate in cooperative work experience courses to cultivate professionalism, leadership, teamwork, and customer service skills. Instructors are responsible for helping students understand the theory and techniques of food preparation, food presentation, and the safe and efficient operation of commercial kitchen equipment.

The position requires an individual who understands diverse learning styles, can manage a variety of educational disciplines throughout the day, and maintains the ability to adapt to changes in class schedules. The instructor will work within the strict safety and security protocols of a correctional environment, ensuring the protection of staff, students, and the community.

Candidates should have robust experience in culinary or food service training, classroom management skills, and familiarity with educational principles and vocational teaching methods. The role includes planning and conducting structured vocational programs in accordance with state guidelines, individual and group instruction, counseling inmates, maintaining tools, attending professional meetings, and preparing necessary reports.

The State of Connecticut offers a competitive benefits package to support employees’ professional and personal lives. Benefits include options for retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness, comprehensive medical and dental plans, sick and personal leave, generous vacation time, and annual lump sum payments. The State promotes diversity in hiring and emphasizes meaningful work while encouraging a healthy work-life balance.

Overall, this is a rewarding opportunity for educators with a commitment to creating positive change through vocational education in a secure setting, offering both professional growth and contributions to the community’s safety and rehabilitation efforts.