Towanda Smith
Raleigh
Summary
Dedicated food service professional skilled in food safety, meal preparation, and inventory control. Proven ability to maintain high standards in kitchen management and customer service.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Food and Nutrition Assistant
Department of Health and Human Services
Butner
10.2025 - Current
- Prepared meals for patients according to their individualized nutrition plans and dietary restrictions.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen and dining areas to ensure safety.
- Followed dietary guidelines to prepare meals for individuals with specific nutritional needs.
- Monitored food inventory and reported supply needs to ensure continuous service delivery.
- Participated in training sessions on food safety and sanitation practices regularly.
- Organized pantries for efficient stocking and retrieval of items.
- Performed quality assurance checks on prepared foods to ensure compliance with standards.
- Cleaned work surfaces, equipment, utensils, dishes, pots and pans after each use.
- Ensured accurate portion control when serving meals to patients or customers.
- Adhered to state regulations governing food handling, storage, sanitation, and safety practices.
Cook Supervisor
Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons
Butner
06.2020 - 09.2025
- Trained staff on proper food handling and sanitation practices.
- Oversaw cleanliness of kitchen equipment and work areas.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed orders for necessary supplies as needed.
- Supervised kitchen staff to ensure efficient meal preparation and service.
- Managed food inventory and storage according to safety regulations.
- Coordinated weekly menus in compliance with dietary guidelines.
- Implemented operational procedures to maintain kitchen efficiency.
- Conducted regular inspections to ensure food quality standards were met.
- Trained new cooks on proper preparation techniques, recipes, and presentation of dishes.
- Monitored food quality control and safety standards to ensure compliance with health regulations.
- Assisted in developing training materials for new staff members on safety practices, sanitation protocols and other policies.
- Reviewed daily production sheets to ensure accuracy of product specifications as well as portion control procedures were followed by staff members.
Correctional Counselor
Department of Justice Fedreal Bureau of Prisons
New York
05.2016 - 03.2020
- Offered transitional services for program offenders and referral to appropriate community agencies and organizations.
- Observed and recommended special community services opportunities to support offenders.
- Recommended probation conditions to court, including drug treatment, vocational rehabilitation and mental health programs.
- Referred offenders to appropriate community agencies to complete services in compliance with court orders.
- Assisted with case completion by conducting office, home and employment visits to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
- Facilitated educational classes for inmates on topics such as substance abuse prevention and life skills development.
- Advised correctional officers on strategies for dealing with disruptive behavior amongst prisoners.
- Collaborated with other correctional staff members to ensure that all safety protocols were followed during counseling sessions.
- Coordinated with outside agencies to provide resources to assist inmates in transitioning back into society upon release from prison.
- Conducted weekly visits with each assigned inmate at least once per week while they are incarcerated.
- Maintained accurate records of inmate interactions and provided updates regarding any changes in behavior or mental health status.
- Conducted intake interviews with inmates to assess their mental health needs and determine appropriate treatment plans.
- Provided crisis intervention services to inmates who experienced sudden changes in behavior or emotional distress due to traumatic events inside the facility.
- Organized recreational activities for inmates including sports tournaments, music performances, art classes, and movie nights.
- Determined and assigned inmates to appropriate housing.
- Supervised and inspected inmates' rooms and premises for illegal items.
- Managed all of inmate payroll duties.
- Observed emotional and physical conditions of inmates to identify and proactively address concerns.
- Advocated for inmate rights while maintaining safety and security within the facility.
- Monitored inmate behavior and documented incidents following established protocols.
- Collaborated with correctional staff to ensure inmate compliance with facility rules.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions promoting communication and conflict resolution.
Material Handler Supervisor
Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons
Brooklyn
01.2010 - 07.2015
- Supervised daily operations of material handling and inventory management.
- Ensured compliance with safety protocols and regulations in the workplace.
- Monitored equipment usage and maintained operational efficiency in material handling.
- Conducted inspections on incoming shipments to verify quality and compliance standards.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations such as fire alarms or natural disasters.
- Held staff meetings to share project information and address specific issues.
- Inspected equipment for wear, specifications adherence and issues.
- Prepared and led staff training and instruction.
- Reviewed supplies inventory levels and purchased necessary items.
- Completed or assisted with difficult or skilled tasks.
- Presented and explained work orders to team.
- Informed upper management or department heads of items loaded or problems encountered.
- Planned workflow, coordinated employee scheduling and assigned duties to maintain performance and accommodate fluctuating workloads.
- Promoted safe working conditions by monitoring safety procedures and equipment.
- Monitored workers and reviewed completed work for proper performance.
- Developed procedures for receiving, storing, issuing, and shipping materials and products.
- Maintained records of all incoming and outgoing shipments; updated tracking systems accordingly.
- Monitored adherence to safety regulations in the warehouse environment.
- Trained new employees on proper handling techniques for hazardous materials.
- Conducted monthly safety meetings with warehouse personnel regarding safe work practices.
- Supervised team of material handlers to ensure timely order fulfillment.
- Prepared weekly status reports outlining progress toward goals and objectives.
- Documented daily operations including inventory transactions and discrepancies.
- Provided guidance on appropriate methods for loading and unloading trucks safely.
Correctional Sergeant
Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons
New York
07.2000 - 08.2004
- Supervised daily operations within the correctional facility.
- Coordinated inmate activities and ensured compliance with facility regulations.
- Managed and trained staff on safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Conducted regular inspections to maintain security and safety standards.
- Developed incident reports and documented inmate behavior for review.
- Facilitated communication between inmates and staff to resolve conflicts.
- Implemented training programs to enhance team performance and effectiveness.
- Supervised subordinate officers in their daily duties.
- Reviewed incident reports and other documentation submitted by subordinates.
- Diffused disruptive behavior by verbal interventions.
- Monitored inmate movement within the facility to maintain security and safety of staff, inmates and visitors.
- Conducted random searches for contraband items such as weapons or drugs.
- Enforced discipline among inmates according to established rules and regulations.
- Communicated information regarding security, safety and operations through chain of command.
- Investigated allegations of misconduct by inmates and staff members.
- Briefed superiors of incidents and misconduct and recommended disciplinary actions.
- Responded quickly to emergency situations involving riots, hostage situations, escapes or other critical events.
- Conducted daily briefings to pass on pertinent info to oncoming shifts.
- Ensured compliance with departmental policies, regulations and procedures.
- Participated in regular meetings with senior management to discuss operational needs and objectives.
- Provided guidance and counseling to inmates regarding personal issues or problems they may be facing while incarcerated.
- Developed strategies to reduce incidents of violence or inappropriate behavior within the facility.
- Supervised visitation and checked visitors for proper identification and contraband.
- Addressed complaints from visitors concerning potential violations of prison policy or procedure.
- Implemented defensive tactics and physical restraints to maintain safety and security of personnel and general public.
- Facilitated communication between inmates, family members, attorneys and other external parties.
- Conducted urinalysis tests on staff and inmates to test for illicit drugs.
- Collaborated with medical personnel in determining appropriate treatment plans for mentally ill inmates.
- Organized recreational activities for inmates designed to improve morale within the facility.
- Established effective working relationships with local law enforcement agencies when necessary.
- Used weapons, handcuffs and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
- Notified medical staff of inmates requiring medical attention and submitted proper incident reports.
- Maintained order in building and on grounds of prison.
- Oversaw facility operations when monitoring laundry services, meal preparation and service, prisoner escorting and video surveillance.
- Settled disputes between inmates.
- Conducted fire, safety and sanitation inspections.
- Assigned and monitored training needs of subordinate staff members to close knowledge and performance gaps.
- Recorded prisoner identification, charges and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
Education
Associate of Applied Science -
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NCSkills
- Food safety
- Meal preparation
- Nutritional assessment
- Kitchen management
- Customer service
- Inventory control
- Crisis intervention
- Substance abuse disorders
- Program development
- Train staff
- Reporting and documentation
- Interpersonal skills
- Behavioral intervention plans
- Peer mediation
- Behavioral management
- Policy enforcement
- First aid and CPR
- Emergency response
- Resident counseling
- Residential treatment programs
- De-escalation techniques
- Safety management
- Residential treatment plans
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Order picking
- OSHA guidelines
- Material stacking
- Truck loading and unloading
- Verbal and written communication
- Equipment monitoring
- Delivery tracking
- OSHA
Certification
CPR Certification
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Food and Nutrition Assistant
Department of Health and Human Services
10.2025 - Current
Cook Supervisor
Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons
06.2020 - 09.2025
Correctional Counselor
Department of Justice Fedreal Bureau of Prisons
05.2016 - 03.2020
Material Handler Supervisor
Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons
01.2010 - 07.2015
Correctional Sergeant
Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons
07.2000 - 08.2004
Associate of Applied Science -
Wake Technical Community College