Cook

Employment Type: Fixed-Term until March 31, 2026
Schedule: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Reporting to: Food Services Supervisor
City: Kamloops
Number of Positions to Fill: 1
RFR#: 2379As a member of the Food Services team, the Cook plays a vital role in various aspects of the kitchen. In supporting meal service, the Cook plans, prepares and cooks food to ensure the highest quality meals and experience for guests. Other duties of the Cook include the delivery, storage, distribution, and cleanup of meal service. Recognizing that healthy community and relationships are integral to poverty alleviation, the Cook will not only support the production of nutritionally adequate meals, but also to bring about The Mustard Seed’s mission and values, and create a space of belonging, growth, and wellbeing for volunteers, people accessing services, and staff members.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Fulfill the mission of The Mustard Seed’s ministry and maintain a high level of professionalism, respect and gratitude with all staff, donors, volunteers, community participants and visitors
• Prepare and serve daily meals per scheduled shift
• Participate in monthly menu planning while maintaining flexibility to incorporate donations as possible in order to ensure wise stewardship of budget
• Manage the preparation, delivery, portioning, service, and storage of meals at designated locations
• Work with Volunteer Services to build a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience for those helping in the kitchen, including staff and volunteers
• Understand and communicate the root causes of poverty and poverty alleviation to those helping in the kitchen
• Safely transport food from our housing location to the shelter
• Ensure that volunteers treat all guests with dignity and care consistent with the values of The Mustard Seed when in the kitchen
• In accordance with British Columbia Health Standards, comply with all legislation, bylaws and standards (health, fire, safety) to ensure food safe practices are followed when receiving food (both donations and orders), storing food, and handling (preparing and serving) food
• Train and mentor those helping in the kitchen - staff, volunteers, and community participants - on cooking skills, interpersonal skills, and food handling and safety

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintain a neat and professional appearance, while carrying out and maintaining excellent standards of client care
• Contribute to and promote a community climate of respect, safety and mutual support among clients and staff
• Maintain food areas’ cleanliness and kitchen safety to building code standards
• Maintain specific records for KPI’s including meal plans and any changes, quantities, daily notes
• Participate in and contribute to team meetings, training, and any other event scheduled by supervisor
• Facilitate volunteers with food handling and safety
• Foster meaningful and cooperative relationships with supervisors, co-workers, volunteers, donors and community participants
• Participate in all staff training (e.g. First Aid, SafeTALK, Nonviolence) and attend monthly general meetings and support meetings with supervisor
• Other duties may be assigned when required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Experience working in food services, food preparation and meal planning skills
• Valid First Aid Certification
• Valid Food Safety Certification
• Understanding of poverty issues within the inner city and willingness to continue to learn about issues, particularly those pertaining to food
• Flexible spirit able to adapt to changing situations and solve problems creatively
• Demonstrated compassion and empathy towards clients with addictions, mental illness, physical disabilities, behavioral issues, and/or medical issues
• Strong interpersonal skills: able to work with a variety of groups and personality types
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for client individuality and self-determination
• Ability to work independently and be a self-starter
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Strong leadership skills: able to support and train staff and volunteers
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with related legislation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work week is typically 40 hours a week, some evenings and weekends may be required
• Fast-paced indoor working environment
• Moderate mental effort including: ability to solve problems pertaining to the Meal Program under time pressure, creative use of food donations, engaging volunteers and community participants.
• Moderate physical effort including: regular heavy lifting (50lbs); being on your feet for extended periods of time
• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases and conditions
• Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them uttering threats, discriminatory statements, and other insults at your person. This may in a raised voice, or in seeing unpredictable behavior up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive

• Training on how to respond is provided, but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed
• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.
• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer

NOTE

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.
• We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.

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