Food Services Officer (On-Call Cook)

---

Are you an experienced food service professional ready to apply your skills in a large-volume cooking operation? If so, bring your culinary expertise to this position at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

Please note:
• These positions require you to work on an on-call basis. The hours of work are 0 to 40 hours per week, including weekends and statutory holidays, based on operational requirements and with no guaranteed hours.
• These positions require working with and providing direction to inmate helpers

---

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

---

About the job

• Ensure the efficient, economical production of meals on an assigned shift
• Ensure meals are prepared to accepted standards, in accordance to pre-determined menus which must be served on time while maintaining all principles of cleanliness, safety and security
• Prepare a wide variety of foods including complete meals, restricted diets, salads, snacks, and beverages through standard volume cooking and baking methods, portion control, presentation and service
• Orient and provide instruction and direction to inmate helpers
• Other duties, as required

---

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have a Cook's certificate issued by appropriate Ministry OR acceptable equivalent knowledge and experience necessary to be eligible to write certificate examination
• You have a valid Food Handler Certificate (either currently or previously certified and can obtain re-certification upon hire)

Food Services Knowledge and Skills

• You have knowledge of general and volume cooking/baking methods and procedures
• You have experience with food preparation and storage procedures/methods as well as portion control standards
• You have experience preparing a variety of foods and restricted diets
• You know food safety practices and proper use of kitchen equipment
• You understand and can follow health and safety practices and standards (such as Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS, Public Health Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act, Sanitation Code for Canada's Food Industry, etc.)
• You have demonstrated ability to understand and follow workplace policies/protocols in order to maintain the safety and security of the kitchen

Communication and Team Leadership Skills

• You can provide instruction and direction to inmate helpers in cooking methods and kitchen cleanliness and appraise performance
• You have demonstrated tact and diplomacy to work with ministry staff, inmate helpers, and service providers to address issues
• You have written communication skills to prepare various reports

Other Essential Skills

• You have analytical and problem-solving skills to identify, assess, and resolve equipment/appliance malfunctions, supply shortage, sanitation and hygiene control, and food service issues
• You have basic computer skills to input, track and record data

---

Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• Employees working in congregate living settings may be required to provide proof they are fully vaccinated, meaning they are fully vaccinated as defined by the Ministry of Health (refer to: COVID-19 Fully Vaccinated Status in Ontario), including 14 calendar days have passed since receiving their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, employees working in congregate living settings may be required to undergo regular rapid antigen testing, regardless of vaccination status, as determined by the Employer.

---

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.