Correctional Officer/Cook - Downeast Correctional Facility, Machiasport.

State of Maine•Machias, ME

2d•$27 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Corrections is hiring a Correctional Officer/Cook at Downeast Correctional Facility in Machiasport, Maine. The department’s Maine Model of Corrections aims to promote safety for staff and residents while reducing barriers to rehabilitative opportunities, including treatment, education, and job training. The role combines correctional security and resident support with food-service duties, including preparing and serving approximately 2,200 meals per day. The position involves exposure to chemical agents (OC Spray). The officer monitors assigned areas, helps maintain institutional rules and safety, and instructs and trains residents in kitchen sanitation and basic food preparation. Officers also support residents’ treatment strategies, provide guidance, assist with adjustment to institutional life, and use pro-social communication and de-escalation techniques to maintain safety. The facility operates 24/7/365 with 12-hour shifts. The base schedule is seven working days per 14-day pay period: three days on followed by four off one week, then four days on followed by three off the next. Night, weekend, and shift differentials, premium overtime pay, and merit and longevity increases are available. Overtime on scheduled days off is not mandated except in extremely rare emergency cases. No correctional experience is necessary; paid training and State Certification are provided. The role requires at least two years of experience in food preparation, serving, and/or cleanup. Pay is $26.56 to $31.89 per hour, including a $1-per-hour stipend, with lateral credit considered for experienced Correctional Officers. The posting lists an annualized range of $55,244.80 to $66,331.20 based on an average 40-hour workweek, excluding shift differentials and premium overtime.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as HiSET or GED.
Hold a valid driver's license.
Have two years of experience in food preparation, serving, and/or cleanup.
Complete a required background check; applicants must have no serious criminal or extensive motor vehicle records. The posting notes that not all infractions are automatic disqualifiers.
Be able to cook, bake, and serve meals.
Be able to understand and follow instructions and interpret and enforce correctional center rules.
Be able to perform strenuous duties, such as climbing stairs and escorting residents, and stand for long periods.
Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
Handle high-pressure situations.
Read and perform basic math functions.
Observe situations and behavior in detail, make decisions, and act quickly in emergencies.
Model appropriate pro-social behavior, attitude, ethics, and morals.
Use standard desktop computer technology, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, the Internet, and email.
Be able to work in a position requiring exposure to chemical agents (OC Spray).

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of resident motivation and psychology, challenges associated with institutional life, and rehabilitation and treatment programs.
Knowledge of correctional institution rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of large-scale meal preparation methods and techniques.
Knowledge of food-service sanitation practices.
Knowledge of Serve Safe regulations.
Prior Correctional Officer experience may be considered for lateral credit.

Responsibilities

Prepare and serve approximately 2,200 meals per day.
Monitor the security of assigned areas.
Instruct and train residents in kitchen sanitation and basic food preparation.
Observe, monitor, direct, oversee, and evaluate residents’ activity and movement within a specified area.
Participate in developing and implementing residents’ treatment strategies.
Ensure observance of institutional rules, security, and safety.
Counsel, support, and advise residents regarding personal matters, institutional rules and regulations, health and safety standards, and treatment strategies.
Assist residents in adjusting to institutional life.
Evaluate potential problems and emergencies through intervention and behavior management.
Use pro-social communication, de-escalation techniques, and other methods to maintain safety and security.

Benefits

Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for eligible new parents.
Twenty days of paid military leave for active-duty soldiers.
Employee Assistance Program with work/life, financial, legal, and confidential counseling support.
Gym membership reimbursement up to $40 per month.
Eligibility for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
Uniforms provided.
Free meals when service is during the employee’s shift.
Thirteen paid holidays.
Three or more weeks of vacation leave annually, with accrual increasing with years of service.
Twelve days of sick leave per year.
State-paid employee-only health insurance premiums, with the amount depending on salary.
A health insurance premium credit that reduces employee-only premiums by 5% when program requirements are met.
State-paid employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contributions to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
Paid six-week Basic Corrections Training Program with State Certification.