Velma’s House 24/7 Safe Space – Kitchen Helper

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.; Winnipeg; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Kitchen Helper for Velma’s House, a safe space for women and gender diverse individuals. This role involves leading meal preparation, ensuring food safety, and supporting diverse community needs. You will be part of a compassionate team that prioritizes respect and care, fostering a supportive environment. Join us in making a difference in the lives of those who need it most, while enjoying competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for personal growth. If you are passionate about community service and have the skills to create healthy meals, we encourage you to apply!

Benefits

Health and Dental Benefits

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Employer Contributed RRSP

Employee Assistance Program

Cultural Activities

Wellness Days

Work-life Balance

Training and Development Opportunities

Free On-Site Parking

Employee Appreciation Events

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of kitchen or hospitality experience required.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and practices essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead meal preparation and ensure safe food handling.
• Cook healthy meals for large groups and manage supplies.

Skills

Food Safety Standards

Meal Planning

Cooking for Large Groups

Effective Communication

Understanding of Mental Health Issues

Harm Reduction Principles

Trauma-Informed Care

Team Collaboration

Education

Food Handlers Certificate

Emergency First Aid Certificate

Mental Health First Aid Training

Job description

Full-time (40 hours per week)
Hourly range: $22.00/hour + Weekend Premium

We are Community Leaders:

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. is a nonprofit, community-based, Indigenous-led human services organization that provides a range of Indigenous-identified programs and services that focus on the wholeness, wellness, and building on the strengths and resilience of Indigenous People.

About the Role:

Velma’s House is an Indigenous-led, low-barrier safe space for women and gender diverse folks who are unsheltered, experiencing sexual exploitation or gender-based violence. Under the direction of the Kitchen Lead, the Kitchen Helper leads meal preparation, ordering and inventory of groceries, payment of grocery invoices, food storage and safety, as well as menu planning and meal distribution and tracking. Our safe space serves a place of comfort, connection, and safety, with an emphasis on meeting the immediate safety needs of those who need it most, when they need it most.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Walking alongside relatives that are accessing Velma’s House with respect, care, and anticipation that each participant’s needs will be diverse and unique
• Ensuring safe food handling, preparation and storage of items
• Sorting and preparing ingredients, assist in meal planning
• Cooking an assortment of healthy meals for large groups
• Assembling and tracking food hampers
• Sanitizing and cleaning kitchen prep area, dishes, and appliances
• Managing supplies, including tracking stock inventory
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and written
• Fostering clear, kind, and professional participant relationships
• Utilizing harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care
• Demonstrating understanding of issues impacting the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, with a commitment to equality
• Demonstrating knowledge of consent, safety and confidentiality practices and protocols

Who You Are:

• Knowledgeable on food safety standards and practices
• Team player who is able to work safely and collaboratively in fast-paced and high-needs environments
• Experienced in planning, organizing, and cooking healthy meals for large groups
• Understanding of issues related to mental health, gender-based violence, problematic substance use, and sexual exploitation
• Commitment to cultural reclamation practices and Ways of Being, Two-Eyed Seeing and Doing
• Demonstrate harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care
• Understanding of systems of oppression, able to apply anti-oppression measures
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; including issues impacting the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community

You Have:

• 1-2 years of experience working in a kitchen or hospitality industry
• Must be able to safely lift 50+ lbs.
• Current Food Handlers Certificate is an asset
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Satisfactory completion of recent (as of the last 6 months) Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search; Child Abuse Registry Check; Adult Abuse Registry check
• Current Emergency First Aid Certificate and CPR is an asset
• Mental Health First Aid and ASIST training is an asset
• Valid Manitoba Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a vehicle are considered assets

We are Proud to Offer:

• Competitive Salaries and Shift Premiums
• Comprehensive and Immediate Benefits including Health and Dental
• Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Employer Contributed RRSP; up to 5% match
• Employee and Family Assistance Program with Consult + and Telus Health
• Cultural Ways of Being; Mino Pimatisiwin Lodge, Knowledge Keepers and Kookums, medicine picking, sweats, ceremony, smudging on-site
• 12 Wellness Days, in addition to Vacation Days for full-time employees
• Work-life balance and casual dress
• Training and Development opportunities
• Free on-site parking
• Social Planning Committee that facilitates employee appreciation and wellness events

To Apply:

Candidates must be able to provide a recent (within six months) Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector, and Child Abuse Registry Check prior to starting in the position.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume, detailing how you meet the requirements of this position (with salary expectations).

Ka Ni Kanichihk remains committed to achieving employment equity. Candidates are strongly encouraged to self-declare in their cover letter if they are of Indigenous ancestry. In addition, Velma’s House is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive space for all women; therefore, two-spirited, trans and non-binary women are encouraged to self-identify when applying for this position.

Applications will be reviewed as received.

Please forward your cover letter and resume to:

Ka Ni Kanichihk thanks all applicants, however, we will only contact those selected for an interview.