Cook

Job Posting: Cook

TITLE: Cook

WORK LOCATION(S): Kirkpatrick House

SALARY: $46,604.27- $52,554.36 per annum** based on work experience (salary will be prorated to a 25-hour work week)

HOURS: Full Time, 25 Hours per week, Monday to Friday

EMPLOYER: John Howard Society of Ottawa

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit your cover letter and resume through the John Howard Society of Ottawa’s website, under the Careers tab at: https://johnhoward.on.ca/ottawa/careers/

CLOSING DATE: November 12, 2026

About the environment: Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focused on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.

About who we support: Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.

About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal opportunity for success in the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

About the role: The Cook will plan and prepare nutritious, home-style meals for up to 22 residents of Kirkpatrick House, a structured residential setting for adult men released on parole from federal corrections facilities. The Cook will be responsible for the full kitchen cycle, including menu planning, grocery purchasing within budget, meal preparation, inventory control, and kitchen cleanliness.

Psychological and Physical Risks:

• High Workload and Competing Priorities

• Harassment and Incivility Funding and Job Insecurity

• Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards

• Ergonomic Strain

• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

As the successful candidate, you have:

• Minimum two years of experience in food and meal preparation, ideally in a residential, institutional or high-volume setting.
• Working knowledge of Canada’s Food Guide and the ability to plan balanced, cost-effective menus.
• Valid Food Handler Certification.
• College culinary certificate or equivalent experience/education.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to work respectfully with residents and staff.
• Experience cooking in a residential, institutional or group-living setting is an asses
• Experience in the non-profit, social services or community sector is an asset
• Valid Ontario G driver’s license and access to a vehicle for grocery purchasing.

You’ll also be prepared to

• Plan a weekly menu, posted every Monday, that is nutritionally balanced and in line with Canada’s Food Guide.
• Lead the preparation of full-course, home-style suppers for up to 22 residents, Monday to Friday, with consistent quality and timing.
• Provide lunch options, including sandwich fillings, fresh salads and seasonal soups.
• Produce in-house baked goods and desserts that reduce reliance on pre-packaged food and add variety to the weekly menu.
• Plan and deliver special-occasion and holiday meals, such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, that build a sense of community and tradition in the house.
• Make sure all meals meet residents’ allergies, dietary restrictions, and cultural and religious food needs.
• Prepare the weekly grocery list and purchase groceries as required.
• Maintain grocery expenditures within the monthly and annual budget.
• Maintain inventory control of food and kitchen supplies, rotating stock and minimizing waste.
• Clean all kitchen and pantry areas, including fridges.
• Follow safe food handling, storage and sanitation practices in line with Ottawa Public Health requirements.
• Report equipment issues, maintenance needs and health and safety concerns to the Residential Coordinator.

You’re a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work:

• You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches.
• Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve.
• Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all.
• You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential
• Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections.

You’re a fit with our organizational culture if you believe:

• In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighbourhoods in order to foster inclusion and empowerment.
• In a person-centred approach, recognizing the value, expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self.
• That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, health promotion and other supports.
• In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability.
• In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation.

We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position- only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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