Cook (Casual)

The Salvation Army; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused charity in British Columbia is seeking a Cook to prepare meals and ensure kitchen compliance with health regulations. This role involves cooking under a meal plan, managing food waste, and maintaining cleanliness. Candidates must have a high school diploma, relevant cook training, and at least one year of cooking experience. The position offers a competitive hourly wage ranging from $23.02 to $23.40, depending on experience. Work is usually in a busy kitchen, requiring adaptability and good communication skills.

Benefits

Meal provisions

Flexible hours

Opportunity for training

Qualifications

• Completed High School, plus specialized courses of up to six months.
• One to two years of prior related experience, including institutional cooking.
• Ability to follow all sanitation procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare lunch and dinner meals according to meal plans.
• Monitor food preparation of volunteers for compliance.
• Maintain cleanliness of kitchen and work areas.
• Manage the use of food to minimize wastage.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to work in a team

Integrity and confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma

Cook training (1 year course)

Food Safe Level 1 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

Position Purpose summary: Prepares lunch and supper for the Northern Centre of Hope while ensuring compliance with the Canada Food Guide and with applicable health regulations.

Accountabilities

• Prepares lunch and dinner meals in accordance with the meal plan set out by the food service coordinator.
• Monitors food preparation of volunteers to ensure all food and products are consistently prepared and served according to recipes, portioning, cooking, and serving standards.
• Prepares and cooks complete meals for lunch and dinner according to the weekly menu plan.
• Ensures the cleanliness of the kitchen and work areas at the end of each day, including washing of dishes and pots and pans after each meal.
• Decides on the appropriate, creative, and efficient use of food, including donations so as to minimize wastage.
• May participate in the hiring, orientation, training, development, and evaluation of Food Services personnel; ensures staff safety in compliance with the Health & Safety standards; monitors and analyzes incident reports.
• Adapts work practices within specific parameters to ensure the efficient delivery of food services.
• Monitors preventative maintenance procedures for related equipment; recommends repairs and purchases as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Written and Verbal Communication

• May communicate on a regular basis to provide explanations related to job tasks and clarify information.
• Limited problem solving related to the scope of work will keep a logbook record for communication between shifts and meal documentation.

Critical Relationship Management

• Communicate with guests/clients of shelter, transitional and supportive housing.
• Communicate with other staff and volunteers in the building.

Governance and Boards

• Internal: Fort St. John / Northern Centre of Hope staff members and volunteers.
• External: Residents, volunteers, vendors.

Managerial / Technical Leadership Responsibility

• Reports directly to: Shift Supervisor and Program Director.
• Direct reports for this position: N/A.

Financial and Materials Management

• May be authorized to spend, disburse, or collect small amounts of cash.

Working Conditions

• This is a Casual Position.
• Typical working location for this position is in a kitchen in a ministry unit/ social services facility or office.
• The performance of the job requires a frequent amount of standing, moderate amount of lifting, cutting, chopping, carrying supplies and walking.
• The incumbent is required to lift more than 20 pounds.
• The performance of the job requires frequent attention to preparing food, reading recipes, adhering to safety procedures and regulations and occasionally ordering supplies.
• Works in generally agreeable conditions, with the following exceptions:
  • Dealing with angry people
  • Verbal abuse
  • Exposure to drugs and alcohol
  • Hot/Steamy environment
  • Noisy
  • Crowded in some cases
  • Pressure of timelines
  • Multi‑tasking
• May have little to no travel required.
• May be exposed to the risks of minor harm, injury or illness due to:
  • Physical attacks by others
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals
  • Moving objects
  • Injury from lifting
  • Falling on wet/slippery floors
  • Burns, cuts, entering freezers

Qualifications

• Education: Will have completed High School, plus specialises courses of up to six (6) months.
• Cook training (1 year course).
• Food Safe Level 1 Certification.
• NOTE: An alternative level of education and experience may be acceptable.
• Ability and willingness to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check screening.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• One to two years of prior related experience, with at least one year of institutional cooking experience.

Skills and Capabilities

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Experience in using cutting tools, cookware and bakeware.
• Ability to follow all sanitation procedures.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Very good Communication skills.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $23.02 to $23.40 with a maximum of $23.77. 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.

Accommodations

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.