Kitchen - Cook

Join Our Mission at the Calgary Drop-In Centre

At the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI), we’re looking for passionate, community-minded people who know that kindness can change lives.

Whether you’re helping guests find housing, supporting their recovery journey, or keeping our operations running strong, your work here truly matters. Every role at the DI is about creating possibilities for others, and for yourself.

Who We Are

The Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI) is a low-barrier, housing-focused organization serving some of Calgary’s most vulnerable community members.

We believe everyone deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. Every day, our team meets people where they’re at — offering basic needs, compassion, and connection while helping them move toward stable, permanent housing.

Our work is guided by the principles of housing first, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented practice. But above all, we’re guided by people — their stories, their strengths, and their potential.

When you join the DI, you’re joining a team built on respect, collaboration, and heart.

The Opportunity

Position Title: Kitchen - Cook
Reports To: Manager, Food & Volunteer Services or Kitchen Supervisor
Employment Type: Full-time
Schedule: 40 hours per rotation with 5 days on and 2 days off.
Location: 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, Alberta

About the Department

Our Free Goods Program (Kitchen) department is a communal kitchen providing freshly cooked meals to our guests. We take pride in curating menus, meals and sourcing produce to ensure people have access to food and food security.

What You’ll Do

Every role at the DI makes a difference. In this position, you will:

• Deliver exceptional meal service by preparing and crafting high-quality menu items, expertly following recipes and production schedules, and ensuring seamless banquet-style service through efficient meal staging, temperature management, and continuous line replenishment to ensure every client receives a quality dining experience with dignity and care.
• Keep operations running smoothly by setting up and maintaining workstations, mastering commercial kitchen equipment, supporting high-volume meal service, receiving and organizing food deliveries, and contributing to a culture of teamwork, cleanliness, and food safety every step of the way.
• Help build an engaging and inclusive kitchen community by mentoring volunteers, demonstrating culinary techniques and safety practices, and fostering strong relationships that inspire teamwork, learning, and exceptional service.
• Champion food safety and quality by upholding AHS standards, following safe food handling and sanitization practices, and expertly managing inventory through temperature monitoring, product labeling, and FIFO rotation to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.

What You Bring

We know that great people come from all kinds of backgrounds. You don’t have to check every single box! If you’re passionate about helping others and share our values, we want to hear from you.

What we need from you

• Able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Proficient use of computers, Microsoft Office and any other database software(s) used to track service delivery; be proficient in Office365 and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
• A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, values, and work of the agency.

Nice to Have’s

• Food Handlers Certificate is considered an asset
• Capacity to provide leadership

Working at the DI

Working at the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) means being part of meaningful, human-centered work that can sometimes involve complex and emotionally charged situations. You may encounter individuals experiencing crisis, distress, or strong emotions, and situations that require calm, quick thinking, and compassion under pressure.

We know this work can be intense and we also know it’s deeply impactful. That’s why we prioritize staff wellbeing through training, peer and supervisory support, debriefing opportunities, and a strong culture of teamwork. Our environment calls for resilience and steadiness, but it also offers the reward of seeing real change and connection every day. Some roles may also involve occasional exposure to medical distress or bodily fluids, and safety protocols and resources are always in place to support you.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe in taking care of our people so they can take care of others. Our total rewards package includes:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Employer-matching RRSP program
• Paid vacation, sick, and wellness days
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (Homewood EFAP)
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Onsite Parking

Benefits typically begin on the first of the month following your start date, and our P&C team will ensure you have clear information and support from day one.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Joining the DI means joining a community that believes in people and their capacity, resilience, and worth. You’ll have the chance to:

• Make a tangible difference in people’s lives every single day
• Work with a team that values respect, compassion, and authenticity
• Collaborate with dedicated professionals and community partners
• Be part of an organization that encourages growth, wellbeing, and innovation

You’ll play a key role in supporting an integrated, person-centered approach that promotes wellbeing, dignity, and connection for every individual we serve. At the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI), our team members help create safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces where people can access the support they need to move toward stability and housing. In every interaction, you’ll contribute to high-quality, compassionate service that reflects the shared mission, vision, and values of the DI.

Inclusion & Accessibility

At the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI), we believe inclusion, compassion, and respect make us stronger as an organization and as a community. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to support you.

Ready to Apply?

If this opportunity sounds like the right fit, we’d love to meet you.

Please apply with your resume and cover letter here.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about working at the DI, please visit our website here.