Prison Kitchen Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
POSTING DATE: 6/26/2026 CLOSING DATE: 7/7/2026
TITLE:
Food Service Worker-Regular Full-Time
DEPARTMENT:
Law & Order
LOCATION:
Greene County Prison
SALARY:
$15.27 Per Hour SEIU Pay Grade 10
SHIFTS:
12 Hour shifts; 3 per week. Operational hours 5:30 am until 5:30 pm; 7 days per week. Possibility of mandatory overtime.
BENEFITS:
Health, Vision & Dental - First of month following date of hire
All Other Benefits - After 90 day probationary period
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB:
Assist in the preparation of food to be served to inmates and staff, up to 200 meals, three meals per day, while maintaining cleanliness of food service areas and equipment and adhering to all health, sanitation and personal hygiene standards. Worker is required to direct the tasks of inmate workers and to comply with safety and sanitation standards set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Inventory control and maintenance of equipment is also the responsibility of this worker.
Essential Functions of the Job:
1. Trains 1-4 trustees (inmates) and oversees workers (trustees) in performance of duties consisting of the daily preparation of up to 200 meals, three times per day, for staff and inmates, as well as for special events. Worker is also responsible for preparation of bag lunches for inmate work crews.
2. Assigns and coordinates tasks of inmate worker(s) to promote efficiency of operations, including food preparation, transport and portioning of meals.
3. Enforces inmate rules, policies, and regulations of the Greene County Prison and the County of Greene and ensures inmate compliance of such while involved with food service activities.
4. Completes and maintains written daily activity (production) logs as well as food and equipment inventories and verification of food storage and temperature safety standards.
5. Requisitions and inspects foodstuffs, supplies, and equipment to maintain stock levels and ensure standards of quality.
6. Completes written and oral reports as necessary, i.e. incident, injury, inmate misconduct, and equipment malfunction reports.
7. Inspects kitchen and dining areas and kitchen utensils and equipment to ensure sanitary standards are met.
8. Conducts regular security checks to prevent introduction of contraband into the food service work area/prison and to maintain safety of the premises.
9. Responsible for general vehicle maintenance, including refueling and fluid checks.
10. Supervises portioning of food and distribute condiments, fruit, and other miscellaneous items to inmate.
11. Basic knowledge of food preparation, recipes, and cooking technique.
12. Operate Kitchen equipment such as steamers, ovens, grills and dishwasher
Supplemental Tasks:
1. Maintains cleanliness of work area, including dishes, pots, pans, and utensils.
2. Removes and appropriately disposes of trash from food preparation area.
3. Using carts, loads prepared foods and unloads food for distribution at prison.
4. Attends training, as assigned, to maintain knowledge of best practices and procedures.
Equipment:
1. Non-skid shoe covers
2. Hair net
3. Apron
4. Latex gloves
5. Emergency radio
6. Keys
7. Telephone
8. Meat slicer
9. Knives and other utensils
10. Institutional pots, pans, mixers, etc.
11. Ovens, stoves, steamers, hot boxes, refrigerator, etc.
12. Food products
13. Computer
EDUCATION/TRAINING
High School Diploma/GED Required.
Standard Vocational Preparation Level (SVP): 6 (Over 1 year and up to 2 years)
General Educational Levels:
• Reasoning 4
• Mathematical 3
• Language 3
Vocational Criteria:
• Serve Safe food handling certification Minimum of one-year experience in food preparation (institutional kitchen facility preferred)
• Pre-Employment physical exam and drug & alcohol screen
• Criminal history clearance
• Valid Pennsylvania driver's license
Physical Demands:
Use the following scale to rate the frequency for each variable:
• N = Never
• O= Occasionally (0-2.5 h/8h day)
• F = Frequently (2.5 - 5.5 h/8h day)
• C= Constantly (5.5+ h/8h day)
Strength:
Medium work load (Up to 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds frequently up to 10 pounds constantly). Timely and appropriate response to emergency situations is critical to position and can require performance of tasks that exceed a Medium Strength Rating as defined by the United States Department of Labor.
Standing/Walking
F
Sitting
O
Pushing/Pulling
O
Lifting
F
Carrying
O
Climbing
N
Balancing
N
Stooping
O
Kneeling
O
Crouching
O
Crawling
N
Reaching:
F
Below Knees
O
Waist to knee
O
Waist to chest
F
Chest to shoulder
O
Above Shoulder
O
Handling:
F
Simple Grasping
F
Power Grasping
O
Pushing/Pulling
O
Wrist Twisting
O
Fingering:
F
Fine Manipulation
F
Feeling
O
Talking
F
Hearing
F
Tasting/Smelling
F
Near Acuity
F
Far Acuity
O
Depth Perception
O
Environmental Conditions:
Exposure to weather
Y
Extreme Cold
O
Extreme Heat
O
Wet/humid
O
Noise Level
Moderate
Proximity to Moving Mechanical Parts
O
Exposure to Electrical Shock
O
Exposure to other Environmental Conditions
O
Working conditions:
1. Works indoors in varying environmental conditions; extreme cold (below 32) to extreme heat (over 100) for more than 1 hour at a time.
2. Exposed to physical hazards (electric current), sharp metal knifes and moving and or vibrating mechanical devices.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
Physical/mental conditions:
Physical tasks of the position require standing/walking for the majority of the shift, with lifting of food products and supplies (including cases of food product) weighing up to 35 pounds and large (20 gal) pots and transportable warming ovens weighing up to 50 pounds.
Bending, stooping, crouching, and accompanying lifting is required to access supplies located on shelving underneath counters/ovens at a height of from 2-3 feet. Overhead and shoulder height reaching is required to access/place food products located on shelving/ovens located at height of from 3 to 5 feet.
Pushing and pulling is involved with food laden, two to three shelf carts, during transport to/from prison, as well as with insertion and removal of food items from ovens, warming ovens, steamers, etc.
In the absence of an appropriately identified trustee (inmate), worker is required to perform all physical tasks of this position, as well as that of the trustee.
Knowledge, skills and abilities required:
1. Speak and understand English language
2. Possess good communication and interpersonal skills
3. Function independently
4. Appropriately interact with prisoners, staff, and general public
5. Maintain confidentiality
6. Make judgments and utilize discretion
7. Perform a variety of duties
8. Successful completion of DOC basic training
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested internal candidates should send a resume and cover letter to the Human Resources Department. External candidates should complete an online application at www.greenecountypa.gov
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.
The County of Greene is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.