Correctional Cook Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $22.76 - $27.53 Hourly
Location : Manistee, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 4739-26-08
Department: Corrections - Oaks Correctional Facility
Opening Date: 05/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME (AFSCME)
Job Description
This position functions as a lead worker and oversees prisoner workers in the preparation and service of meals for prisoners and staff in a correctional facility using MDOC standardized processes, recipes, menus and reports.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.
Experience
Two years of experience in quantity cooking and food preparation, including one year equivalent to a Cook E6.
Additional Requirements and Information
The Michigan Department of Corrections is proud to be a
Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran Friendly Employer.
MDOC is proud to employ nearly 1,500 veterans and actively serving military members across the department. The Department has many benefits and services available to support our military and veteran employees, spouses, and families. Learn more about what makes MDOC a Gold-Level Veteran Friendly Employer
View the entire job specification at:
View the position description at:
Employment in the state classified service demands a high degree of loyalty and imposes high ethical standards on employees to ensure the integrity of state government and maintain effective services. All employees must meet these ethical standards and all appointing authorities are obligated to enforce these ethical standards. As part of this effort all employees are required to report any possible conflict of interest, please review the information and be prepared to respond to questions related to the information in your application.
PLEASE NOTE: New hires to the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), along with former MDOC employees, returning after being away from the department for more than two years, will complete Non-Custody New Employee Training (NCNET), either 40 hours or 80 hours of initial in-person training based on their level of offender contact and job classification. All new employees will complete additional online training at their facility to successfully complete their non-custody new employee training.
The Department of Corrections may screen out job applicants who have been convicted of a felony in accordance with Public Act 191 of 2017. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony are ineligible for employment with the Department of Corrections until satisfactory completion of any sentence imposed, including parole or probation.
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
*CORR01 - Are you a participant in the Return to Work program? This program is for employees that were displaced from their regular jobs due to work injuries which do not allow them to perform their normal work duties.

• Yes
• No

02
*CORR02 - Are you related to or acquainted with anyone who is currently incarcerated in a State prison, tether program, on parole or felony probation status? (NOTE: an affirmative response to this question will NOT automatically result in you being screened out for consideration)

• Yes
• No

03
*CORR03 - If yes, indicate name(s), and incarceration/supervision location of prisoner, parolee, or probationer. What is your relationship to the person(s)? If no, enter N/A
04
*CORR04 - I understand and agree that the Department of Corrections will complete a thorough investigation of my ENTIRE CRIMINAL HISTORY and may verify all data given in the criminal history check. Any material misrepresentation or deliberate omission of a fact in their application may be justification for refusal of, or if employed, termination from employment.

• Yes
• No

05
*CORR05 - I understand that if selected for an interview, I will be scheduled electronically through NEOGOV. I have provided a valid e-mail and understand it is my responsibility to monitor said e-mail account for interview opportunities. I also acknowledge that correspondence received through NEOGOV may be sent to a junk mail (including state of Michigan junk mail) or spam account and I will monitor those accounts accordingly.

• Yes
• No

06
*CORR06 - Have you participated in an internship with the Michigan Department of Corrections?

• Yes
• No

07
*CORR07 - I confirm that I have reviewed the required information on the Ethical Standards and Conduct via the link provided on the job posting. Based on that review please select the appropriate answer below.

• Yes
• No

08
*CORR08 - If you responded that you or a family member does have a conflict of interest to the question above, please explain in detail below. If you responded neither you nor a family member has a conflict, please enter N/A.
09
*CORR09 - Have you ever been employed by the State of Michigan?

• Yes
• No

10
*CORR10 - IF you answered yes to the question above, please identify which department, former name if used and/or ID number if known. If you answered no, please enter N/A.
11
COOK - Do you possess at least an educational level typically acquired through the completion of high school?

• Yes
• No

12
COOKA - Do you possess at least two years of experience in quantity cooking and food preparation, including one year equivalent to a Cook E6?

• Yes
• No

13
VETMIL - Did you serve in the military? If yes, please attach a copy of your separation/discharge papers. It is suggested that you do not include the following types of information in your uploaded documents: Social Security Number (SSN) or other personal or sensitive information you do not wish be made visible to recruiters. If you answered YES to the above question, please make sure you provide a detailed description of your military experience when completing the Work Experience portion of your application, including rank and specific job duties that would be considered relevant to the position to which you are applying.

• Yes
• No

14
Have you provided the names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references, one of which is your current supervisor? This is a requirement.

• Yes
• No

15
MDCR* - Are you related to anyone working at the department (agency) in which you are seeking employment?

• Yes
• No

16
MDCR1* - If you answered "YES" to the above question, please list the name of each relative along with the department (agency) in which they are employed.
17
Have you ever worked for a company providing contractual services within a correctional facility for the Michigan Department of Corrections? If you have, please list the name of the company, if you have not, please write "NO".
18
LCF 001 - Please be aware the application review and determination of your eligibility for this position is based solely upon the information provided in your application packet, especially the Work Experience, Supporting Attachments (transcripts, certifications, etc.) and Supplemental Questions sections of your application. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide extensive detail and accurate dates of employment in the applicable sections of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to attach official college transcripts to the application. For our purposes, an official college transcript must must contain your name, the college name/address, the degree conferred/date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree was granted) and the Registrar's signature and/or seal. A scanned or electronic copy is acceptable, as long as it contains the elements listed above. Web-based, internet, or unofficial transcripts are not acceptable. Failure to attach official transcripts may eliminate your application from the selection process. Information provided in your application, resume, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses or applications without requested application materials may be el