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Jail Food Services Coordinator

Otsego County | MI

Posted Date 6/23/2025
Description Under the supervision of the Jail Administrator, prepares all menu plans for the jail which meet Department of Corrections’ guidelines. Supervises cooks and inmates assigned to the kitchen. Reviews vendor price lists and orders food in quantities sufficient to meet menu plans. Regularly reviews menu plans, plans cooking schedules and prepares a variety of meals and special dietary items.An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
  1. Prepares menu plans which meet Department of Corrections’ guidelines for quantities, nutrition, calories and other requirements.
  2. Reviews menu plans to determine types and quantities of foodstuffs necessary for meals. Removes necessary food products from storage or cooler and freezer.
  3. Plans cooking schedules so all meal items are ready at specific times. Maintains ongoing count of meals to be served and ensures the appropriate number of meals are sent to the cells.
  4. Performs and oversees preliminary food preparation activities such as washing and paring vegetables and fruits, chopping and slicing vegetables and other foodstuffs and mixing ingredients.
  5. Prepares and cooks main course meats, vegetables, casseroles, and records cooking temperatures. Bakes cookies, cakes and other desserts. Prepares a variety of breakfast items. Prepares salads, sandwiches, and serves fruit and other items according to menu plan.
  6. Responsible for training, scheduling, and overseeing staff and inmates assigned to the kitchen. Directs and oversees the workload of these individuals.
  7. Oversees and participates in the portioning of food on serving trays for distribution. Ensures that appropriate temperature of foods is maintained in the serving process.
  8. Prepares meals in accordance with medical recommendations for persons with special dietary needs such as diabetic, low sodium, low cholesterol, high fiber, and other requirements such as extra snacks, liquid and soft diets. Maintains records on inmates with special dietary needs and ensures that meals are prepared in accordance with medical recommendations.
  9. Reviews menu plans to determine types and quantities of foodstuffs necessary for meals. Reviews vendor price lists and orders food items. Deals with vendors and other potential providers of food and supplies. Checks food upon delivery.
  10. Maintains an ongoing inventory of food supplies in storage.
  11. Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations regarding food preparation, service and storage.
  12. Ensures proper sanitation of all food service areas and equipment. Ensures proper security of knives and other sharp objects.
  13. Prepares and bags lunches for work release inmates.
  14. Maintains records of daily meal census, weekly food bills, and related records.
  15. Maintains sanitary and orderly cooking conditions by ensuring the proper cleaning of meal preparation areas, cooking utensils, dishes, appliances, food storage areas and floors.
  16. Maintain cleanliness of the Otsego County Sheriff's Office and Jail.
  17. Coordinate and assist with maintenance of the Patrol Car Fleet.
  18. Performs other duties as directed.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

  • High school diploma or equivalent and one year of institutional cooking experience.
  • The county, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.

  • Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License.
  • Must obtain Serve Safe Certification within 6 months of hire.
  • Knowledge of nutritional meal planning and preparation for large groups.
  • Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, preparation and storage.
  • Skill in preparing a variety of meals including preparing main course meats, vegetables, casseroles, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, and ensuring sanitation and nutritional guidelines are followed.

  • Skill in of the usage of a variety of industrial kitchen appliances, including ovens, blenders, slicers, utensils, and other kitchen equipment.
  • Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with county employees, contractors to the county, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, trustees/inmates and the public.
  • Some ability in the use of office equipment and technology, including software database entry and the ability to learn data input applicable to the position.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents, and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile in an industrial kitchen setting, stand and walk for prolonged periods of times, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 40 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.

The typical work environment of this job is an industrial kitchen setting where the employee is regularly exposed to hot surfaces, sharp knives, and food preparation and processing equipment. The noise level in the environment is moderate and sometimes loud.
Salary16.47 - 20.56 Hour
Field
Police
Highest Educational Degree Required
High school diploma

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