Apply By: Friday, July 10, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Talent Pool - Food Services Officer (Cook)

Job ID:
246096
Organization:
Ministry of the Solicitor General
Division:
Correctional Services - Thunder Bay Correctional Centre
City:
Thunder Bay
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
Permanent, Temporary positions
Job code:
C50214 - Cook 2 (COR)
Salary:
$25.62 - $27.70 Per hour*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Are you a seasoned food service professional eager to showcase your culinary skills in a high-volume environment? Join us at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre and make a difference with your expertise.


Please note: This position requires you to work with and provide direction to inmate helpers

The number of positions to be filled has not been identified at this time. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities within the next 21 months following the closing date of the job ad posting.

These positions will support all three locations of the new campus model institution which comprises of three sites located at:
• 2351 Highway 61 South
• 285 MacDougall Street
• 2495 Highway 61 South

Successful candidates will be headquartered at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre New Build site (2495 Highway 61 South) and may be assigned to work at any of the three locations within the Thunder Bay campus.

Candidates may be hired in advance of the planned opening in 2027 to support training and ensure effective operations upon opening.

Explore Exciting Career Opportunities in Corrections

Join us for a Career Fair for the New Thunder Bay Correctional Centre

This event offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the rewarding career paths in Corrections and to meet our dedicated team.

To learn about other career opportunities available, please visit our career fair landing page:Thunder Bay Correctional Centre Opportunities

Event Details
Date: Wednesday June 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd. Thunder Bay, ON
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Thunder Bay Correctional Centre Career Fair Registration Link

• Please bring a valid photo ID and Eventbrite confirmation code (electronic or print out)
• You may still attend and register on site that day
• Parking will be paid by Correctional Services (Parking code to be provided upon entry)

About the job

Our dedicated food service team and play a vital role in preparing nutritious meals for inmates while ensuring the kitchen remains safe and spotless.

Discover more about our work locations and opportunities by clicking Opportunity Overview. Although the meal schedule is consistent, our menus are diverse and tailored to meet various dietary needs.

As a valued member of our Food Service Team, you will:
• Efficiently produce meals during your shift
• Ensure meals meet standards, follow menus, and are served on time
• Maintain cleanliness, safety, and security
• Prepare a variety of foods using standard cooking methods
• Guide and support inmate helpers

What you bring to the team


Mandatory requirements

You currently hold these certifications (or can complete or renew them upon hire):

•A Cook's certificate issued by appropriate Ministry or demonstrated equivalent acceptable experience in volume cooking
•A Valid First Aid and Heartsaver Certificate

Food Services Knowledge and Skills

You have:
• Knowledge of general and volume cooking/baking methods
• Experience with food preparation, storage, and portion control
• Ability to prepare various foods and restricted diets
• Familiarity with food safety practices and kitchen equipment
• Understanding of health and safety standards (e.g., OHSA, WHMIS, Public Health Act)
• Ability to follow workplace policies to ensure kitchen safety and security

Communication and Team Leadership Skills

You can:
• Guide inmate helpers in cooking methods and kitchen cleanliness, and evaluate their performance
• Use tact and diplomacy to collaborate with ministry staff, inmate helpers, and service providers
• Prepare reports with strong written communication skills

Other Essential Skills

You can:
• Analyze and resolve equipment malfunctions, supply shortages, and food service issues
•Use basic computer skills to input, track, and record data

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.

We offer:
• A career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• Flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• Many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
• Tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more

Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package includes:
• A defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• Group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• A range of vacation and leave options
• An Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services

Additional information:

Apply by:
Friday, July 10, 2026 11:59 pm EDT
Position details:
  • English Permanent, 2495 Hwy 61, Thunder Bay, North Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Credit History Check, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS
  • English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 2495 Hwy 61, Thunder Bay, North Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Credit History Check, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS
Compensation group:
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Work hours:
Category:
Corrections and Enforcement
Posted on:
Monday, June 15, 2026

Note:

  • The number of positions to be filled has not been identified at this time. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities within the next 21 months following the closing date of the job ad posting.
  • About security checks:
    A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
    If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
    Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.


How to apply:

  1. You must apply online.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
  6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

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.


Strengthening Ontario, together