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Posted: April 10, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Correctional Food Service Coordinator

State of Iowa

228 Corrections - Community Based Corrections - Fairfield

Fresh

Location

Salary

$23.75 - $34.91

per hour

Closes

April 27, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading a team of inmates in preparing and serving meals in a correctional facility, while teaching them cooking skills and good work habits to support their rehabilitation.

It's a hands-on role that combines food service management with mentoring in a secure environment.

A good fit would be someone with cooking experience who enjoys leading others and wants to make a positive difference in people's lives.

Key Requirements

  • Background in culinary arts, food service, or related fields
  • Experience in food preparation, cooking methods, and safety protocols
  • Leadership and mentoring skills for guiding offender workers
  • Strong communication, conflict resolution, and motivational abilities
  • Knowledge of security protocols and safety procedures in a correctional setting
  • Ability to enforce sanitation standards and maintain a clean food handling area
  • Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic, high-security environment

Full Job Description

Correctional Food Service Coordinator

Are you ready to make a real impact while working in a unique and dynamic environment?

Do you have a passion for culinary arts and a drive to lead and inspire? Look no further – we have the perfect opportunity for you!


About Us:

At the Eighth District Department of Corrections we believe in rehabilitation through responsibility and learning.

We're seeking a dedicated Correctional Food Service Coordinator to join our team and play a crucial role in fostering positive change within our institution.

Our facility is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, and our Food and Nutrition Services are a fundamental part of this mission.


What You'll Do:

As a Correctional Food Service Coordinator, you'll be at the forefront of transforming lives through culinary expertise and mentorship. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Supervision and Guidance: Lead and direct offender workers in various aspects of Food and Nutrition Services. From food requisition and preparation to distribution, modified diets, and dishwashing, you'll ensure operational excellence and compliance with regulations.
  • Skill Development: Mentor and instruct offender workers to enhance their culinary skills, work habits, and social behavior. You'll be an instrumental force in their personal and professional growth.
  • Safety and Security: Utilize your knowledge of security protocols to create a safe environment for both staff and offenders. Your vigilance will contribute to a secure atmosphere, following established procedures and disaster plans.
  • Sanitation and Quality: Enforce sanitation and safety procedures to maintain a clean and contamination-free food handling area. You'll be pivotal in upholding high standards of food preparation and handling.
  • Portioning and Service: Oversee the accurate portioning of food into serving sizes, ensuring that meals are prepared with precision and attractiveness.


What We're Looking For:

We're seeking candidates who are passionate about culinary arts and possess a drive to make a difference in the lives of others. Qualifications for this role include:

  • Culinary Expertise: A background in culinary arts, food service, or related fields is essential. Experience in food preparation, cooking methods, and safety protocols will set you up for success.
  • Leadership Skills: The ability to lead, guide, and mentor offender workers is crucial. You'll need to demonstrate excellent communication, conflict resolution, and motivational skills.
  • Adaptability: The correctional environment demands flexibility and adaptability. You'll need to excel in a dynamic setting while upholding high standards.


Why Join Us:

  • Meaningful Impact: Your work will directly contribute to the rehabilitation and growth of offender workers, making a lasting impact on their lives.
  • Unique Environment: The correctional setting offers a distinctive and challenging work atmosphere. You'll have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside a diverse team.
  • Community: Join a team that is dedicated to creating a positive and safe community within the correctional facility.


As a State of Iowa Employee, you will also receive a robust benefits package including:

  • Paid time off including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave with no cap on the sick leave hours that you can accrue
  • Excellent Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Package
  • IPERS Retirement package and option for a deferred compensation plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care)
  • Free Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Employee Discount Programs

If you're excited about the prospect of combining your culinary passion with the opportunity to mentor and lead, we encourage you to apply for the Correctional Food Service Coordinator position at our Eighth District Correctional Facility.

Help us shape a brighter future through food, mentorship, and responsibility.

Don't miss out on this unique and rewarding opportunity.

Join us in making a difference – one meal and one life at a time. Apply today!



E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

Two years of full-time work experience in mass food production in a commercial, military, hospital, or institutional food services setting.A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in dietetics, nutrition, food management or a closely related equals one year of full-time experience.Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Cook 1, Cook 2, or Baker.For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Information Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 4/10/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/11/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-iowa-5303779