Job: Food Service Apprentice

Job Location: Buena Vista, CO 

The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) has developed the Food Service (FS) Apprenticeship Program in order to train interested and qualified individuals in correctional food service operations. This position is classified as a State Service Professional Trainee II. 

This apprentice position will receive on-the-job training (OJT) in correctional food service operations, while maintaining the safety and security of the assigned correctional facility. This apprentice program provides the opportunity to gain relevant work experience toward promotion to a Correctional Support Trades Supervisor (CSTS) I in the Food Service Department.

This apprentice program supports the CDOC Mission, Vision and Values with integrity and commitment while preparing inmates for community reentry. 

Under the guidance of Food Service staff, this position performs 'hands on' work alongside inmates in a locked correctional facility and is trained in the following areas:

• Safety and security in a correctional kitchen;
• Meal preparation and cooking skills;
• Proper use and control of all equipment, tools and chemicals;
• Meal service processes;
• Menus and recipes;
• Sanitation and hygiene;
• Supervision and scheduling of inmate workers;
• Special diet preparation, such as religious and medical;
• Baking and bakery operations;
• Store room processes;
• Cost controls;
• Reporting, documentation and record-keeping.
• Other duties may be assigned, as needed.

• Trains inmates; 
• Enforces security procedures by conducting worksite searches; 
• Performs inmate counts;
• Controls unauthorized contraband; 
• Performs strip searches, cell searches, pat searches and shakedowns; 
• Monitors workplace environment and inmate behavior;
• Pays close attention to changes, inappropriate activity or potential problems;
• Initiates verbal reprimands when warranted and, if necessary, physically controls inmates with the proper application of restraints or 'use of force' techniques:
• Monitors, supervises and escorts inmates according to facility policy and limits inmate access to restricted areas by monitoring work schedules;
• Verifies inmate attendance and tracks absent workers;
• Responds to emergency situations such as altercations, fires and escapes according to agency policy.

• High School Diploma or a GED certificate.

• 3 months food service experience, education or training which includes, but is not limited to: 
  • Food preparation, handling, cooking, baking in a food establishment;
  • Cooking for small groups (10 or more people);
  • Hosting, serving, cashiering in an establishment that cooks AND sells food;
  • Food and beverage hospitality/lodging/travel and tourism;
  • Correctional security work. 

• Must be 18 years of age, have no felony convictions or domestic violence history, and possess a valid, unrestricted driver's license.

• This apprenticeship program contains 4 distinct steps/levels. Individuals selected for the program will be reviewed by an HR professional and placed into one of the steps upon a job offer, based on *experience and/or related education.
  • Step I $4697 = less than 12 months of experience
  • Step II $4755 = 12-23 months of experience
  • Step III $4813 = 24-35 months of experience
  • Step IV $4871 = 36-48 months of experience

• Strong work ethic, integrity and dependability;
• Sound judgment and decision making skills;
• Self control, strong sense of ability to work in stressful situations;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively cooperate with other staff members and inspire teamwork;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to visually observe and audibly hear in order to observe changes, inappropriate activity, hazards or potential security breeches and verbally communicate pertinent information;
• Ability to visually observe and monitor inmate whereabouts and maintain an accurate count in assigned areas;
• Ability to verbally communicate clearly and willingness to do so respectfully;
• Ability to perform intermediate computer keyboarding skills and communicate via computer based email;
• Ability to study information and recount events in a written, comprehensive, legible method;
• Ability to incorporate the CDOC mission statement while completing daily job duties;
• Knowledge of and willingness to apply effective correctional methods to prepare inmates for community reentry;
• Willingness and ability to respectfully communicate with inmate families and the public;
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with inmates through daily monitoring in a variety of situations;
• Ability to control, direct and instruct inmates individually and in groups;
• Willingness to respectfully work with a diverse population;
• Ability to remain alert and observant throughout shift;
• Ability to conduct searches (canine, general area, metal detector, pat, perimeter, strip or vehicle);
• Ability to use fingers to detect attributes of objects such as size, shape and texture during searches and to manipulate security equipment;
• Ability to safely operate and monitor ingress and egress mechanical doors;
• Ability to learn about and facilitate the potential use of firearms;
• Ability to learn about and utilize, restraints, chemical agents, and security devices in a safe and professional manner;
• Ability to learn to operate communications equipment in a professional manner (e.g., two-way radio, telephone switchboard, public address equipment);
• Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp and turn objects;
• Willingness to follow chain of command and established safety and security protocols;
• Ability to quickly respond to emergencies (such as fights, medical emergencies, fires or escapes);
• Ability to use physical force to control a situation;
• Ability to climb stairs and walk on hard surfaces throughout a shift;
• Willingness and ability to work outside during inclement weather;
• Willingness and ability to adhere to the CDOC Drug Deterrence Program.

• Relevant State of Colorado work experience;
• Experience working in Food Service;
• Experience working in the *hospitality industry.

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40 hours per week). Less than full-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Please be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for.  This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position.  "See resume" statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the "work experience" section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date for compensation purposes. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants. 

Former CDOC employees who are rehired or reinstated within six months of their separation from CDOC will return at either their previous pay rate, if hired into the same class level, or based on their time in the class series, whichever is higher. 

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution.

The Assessment Process: 

Be sure the “Work Experience” section of your application is complete and contains all relevant part-time and full-time work experience, specifically addressing your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments as they relate to the Description of the Job, Minimum Qualifications, Required Competencies and Preferred Qualifications as listed above. This information will be used to help determine compensation for the position.  "See resume" statements cannot be accepted in lieu of the "work experience" section of the application. Additional work experience will not be accepted after the job announcement close date. 

Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants.

If you have transcripts, a license or other relevant documentation regarding your qualifications, upload and attach copies to your application.

In order to process a background investigation, your application must include at least (10) ten years of the most current work experience unless experience related to the job for which you are applying is later than (10) years. Failure to provide this information could result in delays and/or elimination from the background investigation process

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this announcement for your records**

After submitting an application, you should receive an email acknowledging your submission. If you do not get the email, please check to ensure you have actually submitted the application and typed the correct email address on the application.
 
Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked daily as time sensitive correspondence WILL take place via email. You may receive email notifications from a Colorado Dept of Corrections employee or from this email address [email protected] It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email; if you do not receive correspondence soon after the closing date, please contact the "Department Contact" listed in this announcement. Please contact Molly Hallbach at [email protected] 

SCHEDULED DATES OF POSSIBLE APPLICANT ASSESSMENTS (I.E., EXAMS, ORAL BOARDS, WRITTEN EXAMS) WILL NOT BE MADE UP.  IF YOU FAIL TO SHOW AT THE APPOINTED DATE/TIME, MAKE-UPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. 

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Corrections is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Employee Relations Specialist, Ana Andersen, at [email protected] or call 719-723-3998.

ALL DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE TOBACCO FREE. 

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PROTECTED CLASSES TO APPLY.