Vocational Food Service Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $49,010.00 - $98,728.00 Annually
Location : Somerset County, PA
Job Type: Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time
Job Number: N-2026-58312
Department: Department of Corrections
Division: CR LAU Food Svcs
Opening Date: 09/11/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 81510
Position Number: Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
Union: PSCOA
Bargaining Unit: H1
Pay Group: CO35
Bureau / Division Code: 00114470
Bureau / Division: State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands
Worksite Address: 5706 Glades Pike
City: Somerset, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 15501
Contact Name: Corleen Schmucker
Contact Email: cschmucker@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Are you looking for a role where your leadership in the kitchen helps guide vocational learning as a Corrections Food Service Instructor with the Department of Corrections? At the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Laurel Highlands, you support inmate workers by teaching food preparation, safety practices, and proper equipment use. You join a team that values structure, dependability, and strong instruction. This position offers a chance to build skills while contributing to safe and efficient food service operations.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position leads inmate workers in food service operations by providing training, guidance, and oversight in meal preparation and sanitation. It supports safe, efficient kitchen practices that help maintain high standards across the institution. As a Corrections Food Service Instructor, you will perform the following duties:

• Vocational Training: Teach inmates food preparation, baking, service, and safe operation of tools and equipment
• Quality Control: Inspect food, equipment, and work areas to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards
• Meal Production: Prepare meals according to recipes, manage timing, and recycle leftovers to reduce waste
• Supply Management: Requisition, receive, and store food and supplies while following first-in, first-out procedures
• Work Oversight: Assign tasks, maintain work records, and evaluate performance of inmate workers
• General Duties: Carry out related responsibilities and maintain care, custody, and control during work assignments

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hour-work week
• Work hours and schedule will be determined by open shifts at the time of hire.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience in food preparation, production, or service of a variety of complete meal menus in an institutional food service operation, food catering service, restaurant, or in a similar large-scale food production operation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
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*Eligibility rules apply.
01
How many years of full-time experience in food preparation, production, or service of a variety of complete meal menus in an institutional food service operation, food catering service, restaurant, or in a similar large-scale food production operation do you possess?

• 2 years or more
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

02
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03
How much college coursework have you completed in Foods, Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Service, Institutional Management or a related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• 60 credits or more
• 30 but less than 60 credits
• Less than 30 credits
• None

Required Question