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!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

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