Food Service Lead (PCN 20-4191)

State of Alaska•Fairbanks, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Corrections, Division of Institutions, is recruiting for a Food Service Lead position at the Fairbanks Correctional Center (FCC) located in Fairbanks, Alaska. This position supervises and trains an inmate work crew in preparing and serving meals for approximately 300 prisoners each day. They ensure all food preparation, sanitation, safety practices, and equipment use meet state and departmental standards. Oversees preparation of regular and special diets, bakery production, and proper portioning of all meals. They receive, inspect, store, and rotate food stock while maintaining accurate records. The role also enforces security protocols, including controlling access to sharps and monitoring inmate workers. The Department of Corrections is committed to operating safe, secure institutions while providing essential services that support the health and well being of those in custody. The Food Service Lead directly supports this mission by ensuring safe, sanitary, and nutritionally appropriate meals for the prisoner population, including those with medical or special dietary needs. By training and supervising inmate workers in a structured, safety focused kitchen environment, this position contributes to institutional security, rehabilitation, and daily operational stability.

Requirements

Any combination of training and/or progressively responsible experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform journey-level work in planning, preparing, and serving food and drink as well as directing and reviewing the tasks assigned to lower-level food service staff.
Knowledge of food terminology, measuring devices, kitchen equipment, and serving information.
Knowledge of personal hygiene, general sanitation, and safe work standards to safely use and clean kitchen, food service equipment, and dining area.
Skill in weighing, measuring, and assembling ingredients to prepare beverages and foods for cooking or serving.
Skill in serving beverages and foods in the proper portions, manner and sequence, and with proper table setting techniques.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff and customers, which may include the requirement to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Ability to keep records and complete forms following procedures.
Ability to recognize produce and food products which do or do not meet quality standards.
Ability to meet quality/quantity control, safety, and sanitation standards.
Ability to perform tasks in logical sequence.
Ability to select guidelines, standards, or procedures appropriate to the task.
Ability to do simple arithmetic calculations and record appropriately.
Ability to assist in preparing foodstuffs which meet the standards of taste, temperature, appearance, texture, and diet requirements, if applicable to the work assignment.
Ability to demonstrate a customer service orientation, and display sensitivity and interest in customer concerns, needs, and limitations.
Ability to adapt to changing conditions, schedules, or meal requirements on short notice.
Must pass a criminal history check.
Must be fingerprinted.

Nice To Haves

Possess some or all of the following position specific competencies: Decision Making, Integrity/Honesty, Manages and Organizes Information.

Responsibilities

Supervises and trains an inmate work crew in preparing and serving meals for approximately 300 prisoners each day.
Ensures all food preparation, sanitation, safety practices, and equipment use meet state and departmental standards.
Oversees preparation of regular and special diets, bakery production, and proper portioning of all meals.
Receives, inspects, stores, and rotates food stock while maintaining accurate records.
Enforces security protocols, including controlling access to sharps and monitoring inmate workers.
Assigns, monitors, trains, and evaluates daily tasks of kitchen help.
Makes decisions and sets and balances priorities.
Coordinates tasks of others and works efficiently.
Ensures adherence to work schedules, quality standards, safety and security rules.
Gives clear instructions.
Recommends appropriate solutions to difficult situations.
Motivates others.
Prepares and modifies menus and recipes according to volume and dietary needs, or special requirements of emergency crews.
Researches recipes and prepares complex foods and yeast pastries such baking and decorating layer cakes and preparing ethnic specialties for special occasions.