Assistant Cook

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:
The incumbent prepares and serves nutritious meals as outlined on menus in accordance with applicable food service and safety regulations.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:
The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar range of duties.

Food Preparation:
• Prepares and serves nutritious meals to guests following Canada’s Food Guide.
• Ensures Food-Safe practices are always followed in food preparation and service.
• May use a wide range of cookery methods to produce a range of menu items, including boil, blanch, simmer, poach, steam, stew, braise, roast, bake, grill and shallow fry.
• In collaboration with Head Cook or Manager, ensures inventory is rotated every three days.
• Checks and records the temperature of food items and takes into consideration the amount of time they have been in the danger zone.
• Ensures items stored in the refrigerator and freezers are labelled, dated, covered properly and placed on the appropriate shelf.
• Takes the temperature of prepared foods before service and records the same.
• Decides on the appropriate, creative, and efficient use of food to minimize wastage.
• Prepares and sequences the timing of food and preparation of tasks.
• Ensures menu deviations are recorded on the substitution chart provided.
• Participates in scheduled job-related training as required.
 

Health and Safety:
• May clean all food preparation devices ensuring they are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness using the appropriate cleaning products.
• Completes daily temperature audits for fridge and freezer and record at the beginning and end of shift on the daily audit form.
• Reports any problems and work in concert with the Family Service Coordinator.
• Ensures that proper safety precautions and hygiene standards are followed, including Universal Precautions.
• Ensures the kitchen, food storage, and fridge/freezer are kept clean and organized at all times.
• Ensures high sanitation and cleanliness standards are maintained throughout the kitchen, dining room and food storage areas, including removing kitchen & dining room waste.
• May be required to ensure that the building is secure and that safety standards are always met or exceeded.
• Ensures proper lifting, twisting & reaching techniques are used during job performance.
• Ensures high standards of sanitation and cleanliness are maintained throughout the kitchen, foodbank, dining room and food storage areas, including removing kitchen & dining room waste.
• Demonstrates a high standard of personal hygiene.

Communication:
• Communicates clearly with other staff members and/or volunteers regarding food service & food safety in a positive and encouraging manner as they assist in providing service to guests.
• Always treats guests and other staff with respect and dignity.
• May provide in-scope supervision and advice to fellow workers, students and/or volunteers, especially in Head Cook’s absence.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a permanent part-time position, 21 hours/week.

• The Incumbent’s work environment is typically in a kitchen, dining, and storage areas.

The following disagreeable work conditions may exist:
• Dirt, dust, temperature variations
• Work-related stress
• Verbal abuse
• Noisy
• Hot/Steamy environment
• Pressure with timelines
• Cuts & Burns

The job incumbent may be exposed to the risk of minor harm, injury or illnesses due to:
• Physical attacks by others (i.e. violent/aggressive guests)
• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Hot/steamy conditions
• Emergency response situations (fire, bomb threat, etc.)
• Other potentially dangerous situations
• Moving objects
• Risk of back strain
• Falling on wet and/or slippery floors
• Cuts or burns

The Incumbent must take the following precautionary measures (in addition to health and safety rules):
• Universal Precautions.
• Adherence to Food Safe practices

• Use gloves provided when necessary.
• The performance of the job requires a small amount of computer work, lifting/moving equipment, a frequent amount of standing, cutting, chopping, carrying supplies and walking.
 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Alternative combination of education and Experience may be considered.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:
• Completion of a formal post-secondary program for one academic year.
• Food Safe Level 1
• Food Safe Level 2 will be considered as an asset
• Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certification
• WHMIS Training & Universal Precautions Training
• Online New Hire Health and Safety Courses
• Other training as required by contract or The Salvation Army

Experience and Knowledge:
• One year of experience cooking in an industrial kitchen
• Knowledge about food preparation and is familiar with kitchen equipment.

Skills and Capabilities:
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Excellent team and interpersonal skills
• Background check consent and a clear vulnerable sector screening
• Completion of our online Armatus Abuse Training and required Health and Safety training
• Able to handle physical demands, which include lifting/carrying items up to 30 pounds
• Has the ability to stand for extended periods of time
• The performance of the job requires attentive listening (empathy to guests/volunteers/co-workers) and the ability to give directions. It also requires frequent attention to the preparation of food, reading recipes, adhering to safety procedures and regulations and keeping track of what supplies are needed before running out

• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion.

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $18.30 to $22.87 with a maximum of $27.44.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.