Temporary Cooks Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Initial Posting Date:
07/01/2026
Application Deadline:
07/16/2026
Agency:
Department of Corrections
Salary Range:
$3,950 - $5,453
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Corrections Food Service Coordinator (Salem) Temporary/Job Rotation Opportunity - Deadline Extended!
Job Description:
Corrections Food Service Coordinator - Temporary/Job Rotation Opportunity (Deadline Extended!)
Oregon State Correctional Institution (Salem)
Oregon Department of Corrections
We currently have an opening for a Corrections Food Service Coordinator at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, Oregon. This temporary assignment is estimated to last 3-6 months with the possibility of an extension. Permanent State of Oregon employees are eligible to apply for this job rotation opportunity. Please note that current State employees must attach their supervisor's authorization to apply.
The Corrections Food Service Coordinator coordinates, instructs, and directs Adults in Custody (AIC) in the production and serving of meals and participates in the preparation of large volume cooking in a corrections institution setting.
These positions are represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). These positions may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.
About the Job - Your Role
The Corrections Food Service Coordinator coordinates, instructs, and directs Adults in Custody (AIC) in the production and serving of meals and participates in the preparation of large volume cooking in a corrections institution setting.
Adults in Custody Work Crews
Typical tasks: coordinates the work flow and assigns work to Adult in Custody (AIC) workers; directs AIC crews to ensure job-related rules, policies, procedures, and security guidelines are enforced and discipline and order maintained; instructs and trains AICs on work techniques and procedures in safe, sanitary, and efficient operations of food preparation and service; assigns AIC work; evaluates work performance of AICs for training and assignment purposes; may interview and recommend crews; conducts searches of AICs and area to ensure absence of contraband; checks and signs AIC time cards; monitors area for cleanliness, sanitation, and order; directs the work crew in cleaning.
Food Preparation/Service
Typical tasks: directs, instructs, and coordinates AIC work crews who: prepare food according to predetermined menus; gather and combine ingredients required by standardized recipes; wash, slice, chop, grate, stir, knead, measure, mix, and weigh food products; cook food by boiling, grilling, steaming, deep frying, roasting or baking; cook various foods such as meats, casseroles, vegetables, starches, soups, salads, sandwiches, quick breads, dressings, sauces, and gravies; prepare desserts such as cobbler, cakes, custard, and gelatin; use commercial cooking equipment such as grills, steam-jacket kettle, slicers, mixers, and choppers; serve food on food lines according to established food portion control; may prepare food for distribution to institutional wards or food service tray lines; may bake items such as bread, donuts, cookies, and other pastries; may cut meats; employees in this class: adjust recipes for larger quantities and recipe changes to control food waste; suggest menu changes when necessary to obtain a better quality product; plans cooking schedules to have food ready at serving time but not too far in advance; may monitor the preparation of special and/or therapeutic diets such as low sodium or religious diets; may participate in the preparation of food.
Sanitation
Typical tasks: directs and coordinates AIC work crews who put food away in designated storage, clean stoves, grills, and counter tops, and keep work area in sanitary condition at all times; controls dishwasher temperatures; rotates supplies in cooler and freezer to assure health standards are maintained.
Requisition Supplies. Typical tasks: conducts daily inventory of products and supplies for cooking operations; requests needed products and supplies from supervisor; checks supplies or food products at delivery to be sure they meet the type, quantity, and quality specified by purchase order; some employees may assist supervisor in ordering food items from vendors; directs AICs in the unloading and storage of food products and supplies.
Records. Typical tasks: keeps records of the amount of food prepared, served, or distributed (on cart slips), and amount left over; counts and records equipment, such as knives and chopping blades, and food items for inventory; records AICs work time.
Positions are located in food preparation areas of correctional institutions and require the willingness to work in the environment associated with the position's location and purpose and to enforce security procedures and guidelines to include searches of AICs and area for contraband.
Minimum Qualifications

• A High school diploma, GED certificate, or other proof of education completion at same or higher level AND one (1) year of experience in a commercial food service facility, full-service restaurant, or other food preparing type establishment; OR
• An associate's degree in Food Service Management, Foods and Hospitality Service, or a directly-related field.

Must obtain a Food Handlers Permit within 30 days of hire.
Temporary opportunities do not have any qualifications.
Requested Skills in

• Team/Crew management of up to 30 or more individuals
• Experience managing, supervising, and/or leading a kitchen (restaurant, school cafeteria, military dining, government, or private food establishment, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience cooking a variety of foods (i.e., vegetables, desserts, breads (yeast and quick types) main entrees, etc.)
• Knowledge of progressive cooking to minimize food waste of cook-to-serve foods;
• Knowledge of food temperature safety zones;
• Knowledge to instruct work crews in proper procedures for maintaining a high degree of sanitation in the work area;
• Maintaining order while keeping positive work environment;
• Ability to follow all security operational procedures.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate
• Basic computer skills

Required

• Current State employees will be required to attach a supervisor's authorization to apply.

Application Information

• In the Work Experience section of your application make sure to include the dates and duties of all relevant positions and details to support how you meet these attributes. If you do not include education or work experience meeting the minimum qualifications, you will not be considered for the position. Only the candidates whose experience most closely matches the qualifications and requested skills of this position will be invited to interview. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the job posting close date.
• The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans' preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
• Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• As part of our selection process, we may require additional assessment stages, such as written exercises, to further evaluate candidates' qualifications. Meaningful participation in these exercises is required for all applicants moving forward in the process. Failure to complete the required exercise(s) within the specified timeframe will result in disqualification from consideration. All candidates who successfully complete these screening stages and meet the necessary requirements will advance to the next stage in the selection process.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement for reference, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.

Working Conditions
This employee works inside a secure adult correctional facility. Inherent custodial duties include the responsibility for personally handling incidents in the employee's immediate work area. The employee is responsible to prevent escapes from confinement by proper control of keys, tools, and contraband and documenting unusual incidents as they occur.
High noise level at all times, extreme variations in temperatures, stands and walks for long periods of time on concrete floors, and required to bend for searches. Employee deals with wet and slippery floors and with Adults in Custody daily.
Possible encounters with abusive AIC that pose the risk of injury. The employee is subject to call back in the event of an emergency at which time they would be placed in any post in the institution. During a "work stoppage", they would be required to fill any post assigned in the institution.
About the Department
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.
The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system. Welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people. Free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The Department offers a variety of programs and opportunity to create a safe and healthy environment to for our staff, volunteers, and adults in custody. Joining the Oregon Department of Corrections is joining a team working for the benefit of our communities through innovative and proven correctional practices.
Benefits
The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%.
The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:

• Family health, vision, and dental insurance
• Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
• 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
• Optional short and long-term disability
• Term life insurance
• Fully paid retirement program
• Oregon Saving Growth Plan
• Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare
• And more

About the Process - What to Expect

• After the application deadline, a recruiter will review submissions for education and experience to identify candidates who best fit the minimum qualifications and requested skills.
• Top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
• The hiring manager will review your application and schedule interviews.
• Interview will be held with a panel of stakeholders who have completed panel assessment training. Scores will be determined based on predetermined questions and scoring guides. Preferences points will be applied in compliance with relevant laws and bargaining agreements. There may be multiple rounds of interviews.
• Final candidates will have a background check, PREA check, and reference checks.
• A Classification and Compensation analyst will review the Workday Application of the successful candidate to determine starting wages. Learn more about Equal Pay.
• A job offer will be extended through Workday to the successful candidate. Congratulations, and welcome to the team!

Requirements for Employment
The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer. If you have questions about whether or not your criminal record could disqualify for you, please contact the recruiter for more information.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Department of Corrections core values. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. Additional information can be found from The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Know Your Rights.
The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for complying with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA 42 U.S.C. 1997). PREA prohibits the Oregon Department of Corrections from hiring, promoting, or contracting with anyone, (that will have direct contact with residents), who has engaged in, been convicted of, or been civilly or administratively adjudicated for engaging in sexual abuse in confinement settings. Learn more about PREA.
Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility. Please note - if you are a v