Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To prepare meals for inmates/staff at the North Bay Jail on a regularly scheduled shift and supervises inmate helpers in the preparation and serving of meals.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Supervises inmates in the preparation and serving of meals on an assigned shift by performing such duties, as:
- following prescribed menus and making alterations to cope with temporary shortages, late delivery or other problems;
- preparing food by cleaning, cutting, peeling etc;
- being familiar with basic methods;
- baking and generally preparing desserts, pies, cakes, etc;
- ensuring meals are appetizingly and punctually served by supervising inmate helpers in the apportioning and serving of food;
- supervising and instructing inmates in food preparation such as washing, peeling, slicing and
chopping vegetables, etc;
- maintaining clean and sanitary kitchen conditions by supervising inmates in washing floors, dishes, utensils, cleaning, etc and instructing unclassified cooks as to appropriate standards;
- supervising and instructing inmate helpers in general cooking and baking by assigning
duties, checking work and demonstrating techniques;
- assessing inmates work, warning or laying charges for misconduct as necessary;
- preparing reports as required.
2. 10% Performs other related duties such as:
- assuming the duties of the Senior Food Service Officer during absences and other
duties as assigned;
- sharing responsibility with Supervisor for the security of spices, eating utensils and knives used in preparation of food by ensuring that they are placed in appropriate lock provided and accounted for according to standing orders;
- duties as assigned

Incumbent is responsible for the supervision of inmate helpers for the major portion of the working time within the terms of Salary Note K-1.

Staffing and Licensing :

Possession of Journeyman Chefs Certificate as issued by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, or sufficient acceptable experience in volume cooking. Current First Aid and Heartsaver Certificates.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of general cooking methods and procedures, food preparation and storage procedures and methods, portion control standards and knowledge of Ministry Food Service Guidelines to prepare a variety of foods, volume meals and restricted diets.
-Job requires knowledge of proper use of kitchen equipment and tools to prepare food and meals, and to instruct helpers in their proper use.
-Job requires ability to provide instruction and direction to offender helpers in cooking methods and principles of kitchen cleanliness and appraise performance; supervise offenders in close quarters and evaluate performance.
-Job requires knowledge of relevant parts of legislation such as the Public Health Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act, Sanitation Code for Canada's Food Industry, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and institutional security practices /procedures to ensure compliance with standards of food preparation and storage, sanitation, food safety, proper equipment operation/utilization and to maintain the safety and security of the kitchen facility and offender helpers. -Job requires knowledge of food safety practices acquired through recognized training programs, such as, Servsafe and National Sanitation Training Program.

Skills :

Job requires physical coordination, dexterity and accuracy in movement when using, demonstrating and instructing offender helpers in the use of kitchen cooking utensils and food preparation appliances, and equipment, i.e. cutting vegetables, etc.

Job requires oral communication skills, tact and diplomacy to deal with and to instruct inmate helpers, to address quantity and/or quality problems with fresh foodstuffs, pre-packaged meals and to explain equipment problems to service providers.
Job requires written communication skills to prepare reports on inmate behaviour and performance, and to write up reports on equipment problems, complete log entries, etc. Job requires analytical and problem-solving skills to recognize and report malfunctioning equipment/appliances, workplace hazards and shortage of food supplies so that corrective action can be taken and service delays are avoided.
Job requires analytical skills to observe and report any potential problems in food quality, sanitation and hygiene control, evaluate performance of offender helpers.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working in accordance with institutional policies and procedures with regard to security standards and relevant legislation governing sanitation and safety requirements. Work is performed from detailed instructions regarding approved menus and portion control, as stated in Ministry Food Service standards and guidelines. Tasks must be completed at scheduled times, i.e., meals prepared for established meal periods. This is an on-call position that will at times require short notice call ins.