Dietary Specialist (Corrections)

The hiring organization is a government agency responsible for providing institutional food services within a correctional facility environment. This agency focuses on maintaining secure and efficient operations while ensuring proper and sanitary meal preparations for inmates and staff. The agency emphasizes safety, compliance with health and sanitation standards, and effective management of inmate labor within the food service department. Operating in a high-volume environment, the organization values experienced individuals who can balance leadership responsibilities with attention to detail in food handling, preparation, and overall kitchen management. The position available is a supervisory role within the food service department classified under Pay Grade 41H, reflecting the specialized skills and responsibilities required in the workplace. This role is integral to maintaining smooth food operations in a structured and regulated environment such as a prison.

The role of the Food Service Supervisor involves overseeing the daily preparation, cooking, and serving of meals to inmates and staff in accordance with established menus and sanitation standards. The incumbent works under general direction and supervises inmate workers, guiding them in their tasks including cooking, baking, meat preparation, serving, and salad preparation. Beyond routine food preparation, the supervisor ensures that special dietary requirements are met for individuals with specific health needs, such as diabetic or renal diets, pregnancy-related needs, and sanctions. This position demands a comprehensive knowledge of food safety regulations, proper storage, sanitation protocols, and equipment maintenance in a large-scale kitchen environment.

Key responsibilities include managing food quantity to minimize waste, following supervisory directions for requisitions and supplies, maintaining high sanitation standards, and ensuring kitchen equipment is properly maintained and utilized. The Food Service Supervisor plays a critical role in ordering and preparing for daily operations by coordinating with proper personnel and submitting necessary paperwork such as requisitions and reports. Given the setting, the supervisor must effectively lead inmate work teams without intimidation, demonstrating leadership capabilities that foster cooperation and productivity among diverse teams in a controlled environment. The role requires adaptability, as it involves working various shifts, weekends, and on-call duties.

Given the specialized environment, candidates must be prepared to pass medical and background screenings including TB tests, drug screenings, and a NCIC background check. The role requires the ability to work within a prison environment safely, including handling inmate work lines and driving a medium-sized truck when necessary. The Food Service Supervisor position carries a residency requirement for Shelby County, with specified exemptions for public safety positions. This role offers a challenging, responsible, and rewarding career opportunity in the public sector with a government agency dedicated to maintaining institutional food service standards and inmate welfare within a correctional setting.