Cook Supervisor (Cook Foreman)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System • Thomson, IL

1d

About The Position

The Cook Supervisor (Cook Foreman) supervises and instructs 25–30 inmate workers assigned to cooking, butchering, baking, dining, dishwashing, vegetable preparation, and pot-and-pan washing duties. The supervisor provides ongoing training to keep workers’ knowledge current in food production, presentation, and sanitation.

The position oversees receiving, storing, and issuing food and non-food items, and carries out security operations including key, yeast, knife, and blade control; inmate accountability; and routine contraband searches in the work area. The incumbent shares responsibility with other correctional institution employees for maintaining institutional security, with correctional responsibilities taking priority and recurring regularly.

The role involves independently preparing a range of foods and meals, including regular and modified diets; following standardized recipes; planning or coordinating complete meals; and adjusting preparation methods, substitutions, and seasoning as needed. The position requires thorough knowledge of food preparation, large-quantity cooking, and special and modified diets. An approved Food Protection Manager Certification from an ANSI-accredited provider is required, subject to the stated exception for current BOP Cook Supervisors.

Requirements

• Meet the minimum acceptable level on both screen-out elements: ability to supervise and aptitude for work with prisoners.
• Receive at least half of the total possible points in the applicant assessment and provide detailed resume information supporting assessment responses.
• Have sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the duties.
• Possess thorough knowledge of food-preparation principles, including techniques for developing new or revising existing recipes.
• Know procedures for cooking in large quantities.
• Know how to prepare special and modified diets, including high-protein, low-cholesterol, low-fat, calorie-restricted, and sodium-restricted diets.
• Possess an approved Food Protection Manager Certification from an ANSI-accredited provider and electronically upload proof when applying. Current BOP employees in the Cook Supervisor, WS-7404 position are considered to have met this selective factor.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet applicable Selective Service requirements.
• Complete a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, background investigation, NCIC screening, and credit check.
• If not currently working in an institution, complete a qualification inquiry regarding misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions for firearm authorization.
• Successfully complete the three-week Introduction to Correctional Techniques course in Glynco, Georgia.
• Meet the maximum entry age of 36 for original appointment to a Bureau of Prisons institution, unless an applicable exception or exemption applies.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and instruct 25–30 inmate workers performing food-service duties.
• Provide ongoing training in food production, presentation, and sanitation.
• Oversee the receiving, storage, and issuance of food and non-food items.
• Maintain security controls for keys, yeast, knives, and blades; account for inmates; and conduct routine contraband searches in the work area.
• Help maintain the security of the correctional institution, with correctional responsibilities taking priority.
• Independently prepare meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, fruits, sauces, and gravies for regular and modified diet menus.
• Prepare, cook, season, and portion meals according to standardized recipes.
• Plan and prepare, or coordinate preparation of, complete meals.
• Make substitutions and adjust food-preparation procedures and seasoning as needed.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to employees and their families; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed