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Posted: January 8, 2026 (7 days ago)

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Food Service Specialist III

State of South Carolina

Criminal Justice Academy

Fresh

Location

South Carolina, 29210

Salary

$30,700 - $49,100

per year

Closes

January 20, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job involves supervising inmate workers in a kitchen at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, where you'll help prepare and serve meals, keep everything clean and safe, and manage daily operations.

It's a hands-on role that requires standing for long periods and working in varying temperatures.

A good fit would be someone with cooking experience who is reliable, good at training others, and comfortable making quick decisions in a structured environment.

Key Requirements

  • Experience in quantity and quality cooking or baking
  • Knowledge of sanitary and safety procedures for food preparation and service
  • Ability to supervise and train inmate staff in kitchen operations
  • Familiarity with inventory control and proper storage of perishable items
  • Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in extreme temperatures
  • Ability to transport inmates using an Academy vehicle
  • High school diploma or GED (preferred)

Full Job Description


The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (Academy), Food Service Unit, is seeking a Food Service Specialist to supervise inmate personnel in food preparation and service.

Duties include:

  • Supervise and assist inmate staff in preparing and serving daily breakfast, lunch, dinner meals and other events, on occasion.

  • Prepare alternate daily meals to reduce leftovers and increase meal options.

  • Ensure cleanliness, sanitation, and safety of the kitchen, equipment, and storage areas.

  • Train inmates on kitchen procedures, recipes, and safety standards.

  • Maintain inventory control and proper storage of perishable items.

  • Open and close the kitchen as needed; assist with all meal services.

  • Manage kitchen operations across shifts with other supervisors.

  • Transport inmates using an Academy vehicle.

  • Perform duties requiring prolonged standing and exposure to temperature variations.



Requirements

Minimum requirements:
  • Experience in quantity and quality cooking or baking

Qualifications

We prefer, but do not require, the following experience:
  • High school diploma/GED
  • ServeSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
  • Experience instructing/overseeing others in food preparations, kitchen standards, and sanitation operations

Additional Information

About You
  • Knowledge of dietetic principles involved in planning and reviewing menus for nutritional adequacy and dietary balance.
  • Knowledge of all appliances used in cooking, baking, and cooling of foods and food products.
  • Knowledge of sanitary and safety procedures pertaining to cooking, baking, and cooling operations, as well as service of prepared foods.
  • Familiar with procedures required to store fresh foods, frozen foods, dry goods, and chemicals.
  • Must be able to exercise some independent judgment.
  • Must be able to make decisions concerning the operation of all areas pertaining to the kitchen.
  • Must meet DHEC guidelines in all situations.
  • Must be able to lift cases of food with an approximate weight of 50 lbs.
  • Ability to respond to oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to push, pull, and move products and supplies.
  • Ability to stoop, bend, and climb a step ladder while performing various duties.
  • Ability to be able to lift 6" pans full of food and 10-gallon pots on and off the serving line and stove and ovens.
  • Ability to stand on hard surfaces 75% of the time.
  • Ability to work in an environment exposed to extreme temperature changes.
  • Must be able to transport inmate personnel to and from the SC Department of Corrections.
About the Academy

  • The S.C. Criminal Justice Academy is the starting point for all SC law enforcement. We are responsible for one of the most important jobs in the state—training those who will serve the citizens of South Carolina during their time of distress, time of worry, and time of hurt.
  • It takes a team of dedicated people to make sure our Academy is a premier training facility.

    To do this, we need reliable and conscientious workers who want to be employed by an agency that offers meaningful and challenging work with an appropriate work-life, home-life balance as well as excellent state government benefits.

  • We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, including pregnancy & childbirth (or related medical conditions), age (over 40), or disability.
  • South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
We are the face of law enforcement. Join us!


The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time (FTE) employees:

  • Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
  • 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
  • 15 days sick leave per year
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Paid parental leave
  • S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/8/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/9/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-sc-5190083