Food Service Lead

The Department of Corrections, Division of Institutions, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Food Service Lead to join the team at the Fairbanks Correctional Center (FCC) located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Department of Corrections is a vital government agency committed to maintaining safe, secure, and well-managed correctional facilities across the state. FCC, as a pre-trial correctional facility, plays an essential role in the Alaska justice system, tasked with securely housing inmates while providing necessary programs and services that support rehabilitation and community safety.

This Food Service Lead position is a critical role within the institution, responsible for supervising and training an inmate work crew that prepares and serves meals for approximately 300 prisoners daily. The meal preparation process under this leadership must strictly adhere to state and departmental standards for food safety, sanitation, and equipment operation. This includes overseeing the preparation of regular, special, and medically prescribed diets, ensuring bakery production meets quality standards, and controlling portion sizes to maintain nutritional balance and cost efficiency.

The role involves comprehensive management of food inventory, including receiving, inspecting, storing, and rotating food supplies while maintaining accurate records. Security is also a paramount concern, with duties extending to enforcing strict protocols that govern access to potentially hazardous kitchen tools and monitoring inmate workers to uphold institutional safety.

Working within FCC offers a structured environment where the Food Service Lead supports the department’s broader mission of institutional security and rehabilitation. By providing a safe, sanitary, and nutritionally adequate food service operation, the Food Service Lead contributes directly to the health and wellbeing of inmates. The position is also designed to foster inmate responsibility and skill development through supervised work crews, reinforcing positive behavior and supporting reintegration efforts.

The Department of Corrections values individuals who bring strong decision-making skills, integrity, and the ability to manage and organize relevant information effectively. The ideal candidate should be committed to ethical conduct and capable of acting decisively under varying circumstances to achieve the institution's goals.

In terms of work environment, this position is located inside a secure correctional facility and entails constant interaction with prisoners and inmate workers. It requires maintaining safety and security during all food service activities under strict operational protocols. Travel is not required for this role, and the job is performed within a highly regulated and secure setting.

The State of Alaska offers a competitive compensation package for this role, including a starting salary that can be approved up to Step D at $28.43 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Employment is subject to union referral, background checks including fingerprinting, and compliance with federal and state regulations such as the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) security requirements.

The Food Service Lead position is an opportunity to take on meaningful work that supports community safety and inmate wellbeing, while offering career advancement and professional growth within the department and other state agencies. Employees benefit from comprehensive insurance coverage, retirement plans, paid leave, and other benefits typical of state employment. Those joining the Department of Corrections are becoming part of a mission-driven team where every role contributes to the success and security of the institution and the broader community.