Cook Supervisor (Cook Foreman)

About the opportunity

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. The Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System is seeking a Cook Supervisor (Cook Foreman) at Ashland, Kentucky. Primary responsibilities include supervising and instructing 25-30 inmate workers assigned to cooking, butchering, baking, dining, and dishwashing roles. The incumbent provides continual training in food production, presentation, and sanitation, oversees inventory and security operations such as key and knife control, and maintains institution security.

Salary and benefits

• Salary ranging from $37.08 to $43.23 per hour
• Federal employment benefits package

Who can apply?

• Must have sufficient training and experience to show the ability to perform the duties of the position, evaluated under the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, WS-7404 series
• Must meet the Barely Acceptable level on both screen-out elements: Ability to supervise and Aptitude for work with prisoners
• Must receive at least one half of the total possible points on the assessment
• Must possess an approved Food Protection Manager Certification from a provider accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Must meet a maximum entry age of 36 for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307 (qualified preference eligible veterans may be exempt)

Required documents

• Resume (limited to 2 pages) including name, contact information, relevant experience with start/end dates in MM/YYYY format, and number of hours worked per week
• Copy of approved Food Protection Manager Certification from an ANSI-accredited provider
• Veterans' Preference Documentation (e.g., DD-214 demonstrating honorable or general discharge, SF-15 and Department of Veterans Affairs letter if applicable)
• Unredacted copy of latest SF-50 for current or former federal government employees
• Proof of ICTAP/CTAP eligibility if applicable

When to apply

• Opening Date: 2026-08-25
• Application Closing Date: 2026-09-01 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

How to apply

• Register and apply through the online application system at www.USAJOBS.gov
• Answer the assessment questions and complete required questionnaires
• Electronically upload all required supporting documents, including your resume, Food Protection Manager Certification, and any veteran or federal employment documentation by the deadline

Additional information

• Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation
• All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks
• Applicants not currently working in an institution must complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm
• Successful completion of the 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques' three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required