Talent Pool - Food Services Helpers (Cook Assistants)

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Public Service is recruiting Food Service Helpers (Cook Assistants) in Ottawa to support meal preparation for inmates and ensure kitchen safety and sanitation. The role involves diverse shifts and a fast-paced environment within a corrections setting.

Mandatory certifications include a valid Food Handler Certificate and First Aid/Heartsaver; eligibility to obtain recertification on hire is required. Training will cover safety, policies, and inmate supervision.

Qualifications

• You have a valid Food Handler Certificate (current or recertification upon hire).
• You have current First Aid and Heartsaver Certificates or ability to obtain certification upon hire.
• Willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays; provide availability for scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals for inmates and keep the kitchen safe and clean.
• Support cook-chill or re-thermalization of food.
• Maintain and sanitize the kitchen and equipment; track ingredients and store safely.
• Coordinate the delivery of meals; receive and complete documents for incoming goods and equipment.
• Guide and support inmate helpers and supervise in close quarters.

Skills

Food Handler Certificate

First Aid/Heartsaver

Shift flexibility

Safety awareness

Job description

Talent Pool - Food Services Helpers (Cook Assistants)

Temporary (up to 6 months, with possible extension)

Job code:

$24.40 - $26.23 Per hour*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Showcase your experience working in a large, fast-paced food service operation!

Join our team in Ottawa, a thriving and culturally diverse city offering an excellent quality of life and access to a wide range of recreational, educational, and community amenities. We are looking fordedicated Food Service Helpers to support food service operations by assisting with meal preparation and ensuring kitchen facilities are maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.

Explore Exciting Career Opportunities in Corrections

Join us for a Career Fair at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.

This event offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the rewarding career paths in Corrections and to meet our dedicated team.

To learn about other career opportunities available, please visit our career fair landing page.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 22

Time: 11:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m

Location: Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, 2244 Innes Road, Ottawa, ON

About the job

As part of the food service team, you will help prepare meals for inmates and keep the kitchen safe and clean. The meal schedule is routine, but the menus are diverse and customized to dietary needs. Each shift may bring something a little different! In this role you can expect to:

• Ensure the safety and security of staff and inmates
• Support the cook-chill or re-thermalization of food
• Maintain and sanitize the kitchen and equipment
• Keep track of and safely store ingredients, equipment, and dishware
• Coordinate the delivery of meals
• Receive and complete documents for incoming goods and equipment
• Guide and support inmate helpers

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have a valid Food Handler Certificate (either currently OR previously certified and can obtain re-certification upon hire)
• You have a current First Aid and Heartsaver Certificates OR ability to obtain certification upon hire
• You are willing to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays. You will be able to provide your availability ahead of time and your Manager will schedule you based on your availability.

Food Service Knowledge and Experience

• experience using kitchen equipment and tools to prepare snacks and meals
• knowledge of various diets (i.e. lifestyle, medical, religious)
• experience with cook-chill/re-thermalization safety methods as well as volume cooking
• experience following food, health and safety standards and practices
• the ability to know and follow policies and protocols
• the ability to supervise inmate helpers in close quarters and report their conduct (with appropriate training that will be provided)

Skills

• recognize and correct workplace hazards
• interact with staff as well as supervise and direct inmate helpers
• recognize and report problems (i.e, food quality, sanitation, or hygiene control)

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.

We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hoursa modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

• English Temporary, duration up to 6 months, 2244 Innes Rd, Ottawa, East Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Credit History Check, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS
• The number of positions to be filled has not been identified at this time. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities within the next eighteen months following the closing date of the job ad posting.
• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
• Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad.Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements forthis job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
• OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
• If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in therecruitment process, please ContactUs to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team willcontact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.