Utility Worker - Nutrition and Food Services

Nova Scotia Health Authority; Truro; On-site; CAD 29,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Nova Scotia Health Authority is seeking a Casual Utility Worker in Nutrition and Food Services to support patient and retail food service operations. You will assist with meal selections, food preparation, delivery, and sanitation while maintaining safe work practices and inventory control.

The role requires Grade 12 or equivalent, strong English and basic math, and excellent customer service. Experience in food service is valued; French skills are an asset. Casual relief hours vary by site.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent, or demonstrated skills/experience as an alternative.
• Demonstrated competency in English and basic math.
• Restaurant experience is an asset.
• Customer service skills are an asset.
• Ability to work as part of a team and meet departmental goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with civility and respect.

Responsibilities

• Answer patient phone calls and enter meal selections on a computer/tablet.
• Assemble, portion, and serve patient and visitor meals.
• Deliver meals and nourishments; collect soiled trays.
• Inventory management and FIFO handling.
• Print menus/reports and compare Meditech/STAR with CBORD/Vision.
• Maintain sanitation and safe food handling.

Skills

Customer service

English language

Basic math

Teamwork

Communication

French language (asset)

Education

Grade 12 or equivalent

Tools

Meditech

STAR reports

CBORD/Vision

Job description

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Utility Worker - Nutrition and Food Services

Req ID: 226495
Location: NorthernZone,Colchester East Hants Health Centre
Department: NFS Food Services CEHHC
Type of Employment: CasualCasual Relief(3%) x 6
Union: CUPE SupportPosition
Posting Closing Date: 16-Sep-26

About the Opportunity

The Nutrition and Food Services, Utility Worker works in the patient and retail food service setting. Reporting to the Manager / Food Service Supervisor, the Utility Worker may be responsible for preparing and serving meals and supplies to patients, residents, Veteran’s, staff, families and customers. Additionally, they are responsible for cleaning and sanitizing patient trays, related equipment and workplaces. The Utility Worker supports safe food handling procedures and provides overall service excellence. The Utility Worker performs a number of key work activities across the site.

Key Work Activities: Percentages of time allocated in the Key Work Activities are dependent upon the site and role they fulfill. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Patient Meal Selections (Customer Service)

• Answering patient phone calls and entering meal selections on a computer as applicable
• Visiting patients in their room and entering meal selections on an electronic tablet

Product/Food Preparation/Assembly and Service

• Assemble, portion, and serve patient, and visitor meals
• Portion and assemble nourishments, special feedings, beverages, menu items, prepare “mix & serve” menu items
• Salad and sandwich preparation

Delivery and Collection

• Delivery and distribution of selective menus and patient meals
• Delivery of nourishments, supplies (food and non-food)
• Collection of soiled patient trays
• Participating in receiving and storing supplies (food and non-food) using First In First Out (FIFO)
• Receive and interpret patient diet/meal orders; confirm patient meal requirements
• Inventory management

Menu Duties

• Generate and print menus, reports, tallies and labels
• Printing Meditech/STAR report and comparing to CBORD/ Vision reports

Food Safety and Sanitation

• Clean and sanitize dishes, utensils, equipment, and work area
• Maintain basic work area safety and sanitation
• Safe food handling and hygiene
• Proper hand hygiene, food storage cleanliness/ appropriate temperatures, sanitation, cross-contamination prevention, control time and temperature, etc.

About You

Applicants must demonstrate in their application/resume how they meet the following criteria:

• Grade 12 or equivalent
  • Or demonstrated skills and/or relevant work experience, equivalency must be clearly stated in your cover letter and resume
  • Demonstrated competency in English and basic Math
• Restaurant experience is considered an asset
• Customer Service Skills considered an asset
• Ability to work as part of a team to provide services and achieve departmental and/or organizational goals
• Ability to perform duties within expected timeframes and standards of accuracy
• Ability to communicate effectively while demonstrating civility and respect
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred
• Frequent physical demands include extensive standing and walking, bending, lifting (maximum of 35- 40lbs), pulling and pushing, and transferring/transporting equipment.
  

Pot Room requires the following (only for employees working in the Pot Room)

• Special footwear may be required for some food service areas – employer will reimburse for cost of safety shoes up to amount noted in Collective Agreement
• Heavy lifting (i.e. large industrial bake/cook ware mixing bowls)
• Physically demanding, repetitive tasks
• Working independently

Hours

• Casual relief position, no guaranteed hours

Compensation and Benefits

$20.74 - $21.56 hourly

What You'll Love About Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning. Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high-quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself. At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work-life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer. Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.