Cook Assistant

The Salvation Army in Canada; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation upon request

Job summary

Sunset Lodge in Victoria, BC, is a 108-bed long-term care home operated by The Salvation Army. The Cook position prepares and seasons a range of meals, plans cooking schedules, and ensures food safety and portion control in a busy kitchen.

Requirements include a 12-month cooking program, Food Safe Level 1, WHMIS, and at least one year of institutional cooking experience. The role emphasizes teamwork, accuracy, and staying calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized 12-month program in cooking or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Food Safe Level 1
• WHMIS
• 1 year of prior related experience, with at least one year of institutional cooking experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepares assigned food items by following established menus, recipes and quantity quotas.
• Plans preparation and cooking schedule.
• Cooks and seasons items including soups, sauces, salads, meats, vegetables, and desserts.
• Carves meat and controls portioning to meet quotas.
• Maintains food rotations in storage to minimize spoilage and waste.
• Assigns tasks to Food Service Workers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Effective communication

Food safety practices

Kitchen equipment knowledge

Culinary terminology

Time management

Calm under pressure

Team oriented

Education

12-month cooking program

Food Safe Level 1

WHMIS certification

Job description

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:

Sunset Lodge in Victoria, BC, is a 108-bed long-term care home operated by the Salvation Army. Located along the beautiful Gorge Waterway, our home features park-like grounds and therapeutic gardens where residents and their guests can enjoy peaceful surroundings and views of the water throughout the year.

Sunset Lodge is committed to ensuring every resident feels known, valued, and cared for, while providing person-centered care in a home guided by Christ and rooted in love. Sunset Lodge is a place where you can build relationships, grow, and be part of something that matters.

Level Definition:

• Positions at this level prepare assigned food items by methods/procedures such as roasting, frying, grilling, steaming, poaching, boiling, and baking under the direction of a Senior Cook or Food Service Supervisor.

Characteristic Job Duties:

• Prepares assigned food items by following established menus, recipes, and quantity quotas, determining ingredients and quantities required and assembling ingredients and equipment required for cooking.
• Plans preparation and cooking schedule.
• Cooks and seasons assigned food and therapeutic diet items such as soups, sauces, salads, starches, meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, and desserts by methods/procedures such as roasting, frying, grilling, steaming, poaching, boiling, baking and bulk rethermalization; tests food items for palatability and temperature and adjusts accordingly.
• Carves food items such as meat and poultry and controls portioning of food items to ensure recipe yield meets assigned quantity quotas.
• Maintains established food rotations in storage to minimize spoilage and waste.
• Assigns tasks to designated Food Service Workers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

NOTE: Not all incumbents perform all the duties described above but perform a similar range of duties.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Graduation from a recognized 12-month program in cooking or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Food Safe Level 1
• WHIMIS
• 1 year of prior related experience, with at least one year of institutional cooking experience.

NOTE : An alternative level of education and experience may be acceptable.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Understanding of food safety practices
• Familiarity with all professional kitchen equipment
• Experience with culinary terminology and techniques
• Excellent time-management skills
• Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Team spirit, with a resident focused attitude
• Demonstrated ability to work in a positive manner and communicate effectively.

Physical Effort/Dexterity Required:

The performance of the job requires a frequent amount of standing, manipulating foods and moderate amounts of lifting, cutting, chopping, carrying supplies and walking.

The incumbent is required to lift more than 20 pounds.

Concentration Required:

The performance of the job requires frequent attention to the preparation of food, reading recipes, adhering to safety procedures and regulations and occasionally ordering supplies.

Work Environment:

The incumbent’s work environment is typically in a kitchen in a long-term care facility.

The incumbent will work under the following disagreeable conditions:

• Hot/Steamy environment
• Noisy
• Crowded in some cases
• Pressure with timelines
• Cuts, Burns and entering freezers

Exposure to Hazards:

The job incumbent may be exposed to the risk of minor to moderate injury or illnesses due to:

• Moving objects
• Sharp objects
• Electrical hazards
• Injury from lifting
• Falling on wet/slippery floors
• Cuts, Burns and entering freezers

Precautionary Measures:

The incumbent must take the following precautionary measures (in addition to health and safety rules):

• Universal Precautions
• Use of rubber mats
• Use gloves provided
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when necessary

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $29.24 to $29.24 with a maximum of $29.24. 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 [e-mail] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.