What’s in it for you?

•  A dynamic and collaborative work environment where your voice matters.
• Competitive benefits, an outstanding pension plan, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and four weeks of vacation—all based on the term of employment.
• The chance to work with a diverse and passionate team committed to making Ottawa a better place for all.
• Opportunities to bring your skills and experiences to the table while learning and growing in a supportive space.

Are You Ready to Make a Difference? Join our team at Belong Ottawa.

Our teams are the heart of our mission, working alongside participants to meet their basic needs, achieve personal goals, and build a stronger community. Whether it’s preparing food, organizing activities, lending a listening ear, or hitting the streets for outreach, you’ll be making an impact every single day. 

What’s in it for you?

•  A dynamic and collaborative work environment where your voice matters.
• Competitive benefits, an outstanding pension plan, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and four weeks of vacation - all based on the term of employment.
• The chance to work with a diverse and passionate team committed to making Ottawa a better place for all.
• Opportunities to bring your skills and experiences to the table while learning and growing in a supportive space.

What sets you apart?

Our team celebrates diversity, and we’re committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to ensure everyone has an equitable opportunity to shine. We actively encourage women, Indigenous people, and individuals with disabilities to apply!

Mission Statement

Belong Ottawa, a Community Ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, offers support to homeless and vulnerably housed people to ensure health and well-being, nourishment, and social connection. Our three drop-in day programs promote equity and address barriers such as housing, food and income insecurity. Everyone who comes to The Well, Centre 454, or Saint Lukes Table will be given the opportunity to have their individual needs addressed through a variety of services unique to each program and space. Our mission is to provide safe spaces that connect people and create a community in which we foster dignity, wellness, and hope for all.

Job Summary

The Kitchen Assistant reports to the Kitchen Services Manager and is responsible for planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks for our participants. The Kitchen Assistant's role is key to the operations of Belong Ottawa’s three drop-in day programs, where quality meal services are produced and served in accordance to Belong Ottawa’s policy and procedures, mission, and values.

 Duties and Responsibilities

• Daily opening of the kitchen, ensuring cleanliness and preparedness for daily service; including: preparing the coffee station, ensuring supplies are stocked and the kitchen is clean and ready for daily operation.
• Preparation of meals. This includes the preparation and cooking hot breakfasts and hot lunches daily, ensuring nutritional content while still operating within the budgetary restrictions, and in accordance with Food Services Manager direction.
• Maintaining the Community Fridge, ensuring leftovers are containerized at the end of the day and made available to the participants, and ensure all unused items ordered from Food Bank are placed in the community fridge.
• Collecting daily statistics and reporting them to Kitchen Services Manager, Sr SSW, and/or Program Management as well as Food Bank and using these numbers to plan accordingly month over month.
• Planning and preparing weekend and vacation days meals in advance and ensuring volunteers and Belong Ottawa employees are fully informed on the plan.
• Working with related agencies to share information and ensure any and all extra supplies/food is delivered to the appropriate address.
• Managing daily deliveries from various suppliers and ensuring all items are safely stored and inventoried.
• Ensuring a running inventory of supplies and food and placing orders from suppliers both weekly and on a need basis.
• Setting a weekly menu and ensuring the ingredients and supplies are available as needed 7 days a week.
• Supporting employees with requests related to food or supplies; and ensuring everything is ready in case of door service and any individual requests such as emergency food packages.
• Washing and appropriately storing all cooking appliances, instruments, utensils, and cooking implements.
• Serving/overseeing service of meals and interacting with participants in a professional manner.
• Ensuring all health and safety protocols are followed and working with the appropriate health authorities to maintain the continuation of the Inspection Certificate.
• Maintaining all required trainings and certifications including Food Handlers, WHMIS & First Aid
• Maintaining the facilities related to kitchen and collaborating with outside companies to schedule and oversee work. (ex: grease trap cleanings)
• Have a running inventory of programs’ fridges/freezers and maintain a knowledge of the available items to cut down on any double ordering.
• Collaborating with all Belong Ottawa employees to prepare for and serve events such as BBQ’s and holiday meals.
• End of day shut down of the kitchen, making sure that it is clean and ready for the next shift.
• Pick up and delivery of food items as assigned using Belong Ottawa food vehicle.
  
  

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• Culinary Management Ontario College Diploma (preferred) or minimum three years experience working in kitchens in a leadership role.
• A valid food handler's license, or willingness to acquire.
• The ability to work in a demanding environment.
• The ability to work independently and within a team; ability to perform job duties with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to plan and offer training and workshops for participants of the centre.
• A demonstrated understanding and proven sensitivity to the need of people related to social determinants of health including poverty, homelessness, addictions, mental illness, trauma, discrimination, and other personal and systemic challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal, team and group communication skills.
• Ability to work with people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and maintain a professional approach during stressful situations.

Other Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 months experience working with people from marginalized communities and diverse populations including server and persistent mental health and substance use issues.
• An optimistic and empathetic attitude as well as a strong sense of compassion for displaced people.
• A client-centered, non-judgmental, trauma-informed approach is essential.
• Demonstrated experience with vulnerable individuals.
  
  

Physical Abilities:

• The role requires extended periods of mobility, with the understanding that the work differs from day to day. Heavy lifting food boxes involved in this position and requires the ability to stand and/or drive/in and out of vehicle for extended periods.

Work Schedule

This is a Casual position with a requirement of availability mornings, evenings and weekends.

Submitting your application

Don't just apply for a job, apply for a cause! Click on "Apply for This Job" and submit your application. We'll be reviewing applications as they come in, so don't delay!

While all applications will be gratefully received, only individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted. The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa reserves the right to contact individuals and to arrange for interviews at any time.

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please advise during the search process if you require accommodation by contacting us at [email protected]

AI will be used to screen, assess or select applicants for the position.