Cook - Wood Street Campus

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Wood Street Campus is a cornerstone in providing specialized treatment services for children and youth in the care of the Minister of OSD. We operate 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and are passionate about supporting our youth and enhancing their development into successful young people in the community. The experience of fostering positive outcomes for children is very rewarding and requires a highly motivated and energetic individual!

About Our Opportunity

As the Cook, you play a key role in daily life at the Centre by planning, preparing, and delivering nutritious meals that support health, routine, and wellbeing for residents, staff, and visitors.

You are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the food services program, from menu planning and food safety to inventory control and budgeting. This role also involves working alongside youth who may assist in the kitchen, supporting skill development, positive engagement, and safe participation in daily activities. You may supervise youth at the campus who are completing practicums stemming from educational programs.

This is a hands-on role that balances independence with collaboration in an interdisciplinary team environment.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Cook, you will be responsible for:

• Coordinating, delivering and overseeing a food services program for 20-38 youth and staff who may be on duty.
• Planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals in alignment with Canada’s Food Guide
• Developing and submitting menus for dietitian approval in accordance with the Operational Manual, accommodating special dietary needs as necessary.
• Ensuring food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards are consistently met and in compliance.
• Conducting daily inspections of kitchen and dining areas, equipment, utensils, and food storage
• Ordering, receiving, storing, and inventorying food, supplies, and kitchen equipment
• Supporting and supervising youth who assist in kitchen operations and meal times.
• Working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Participation and cooperation with the centre’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Program.

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed a Journeyperson Cook Certificate (Red Seal), an up-to-date Food Handlers Course, and a valid First Aid certification.

You are experienced in planning and preparing nutritious meals for groups, and are knowledgeable of food safety, sanitation, and hygiene practices. You are highly collaborative, have strong organizational and time-management skills, and have an ability to remain calm, flexible, and focused in a setting where priorities may shift quickly.

While not required, assets include experience:

• Working in child-caring or secure treatment settings
• Working with youth or vulnerable populations
• Supervising or training others in a kitchen environment

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

This position is based onsite at the Wood Street Campus. Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. You will work in a treatment facility that operates 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Rotating shift work is not required; however, at times you may be required to adjust your schedule or perform overtime to ensure the operation of the campus. The centre is a locked/secured environment, and close attention to security is required.

Work is performed in a kitchen and dining environment and involves light physical activity. The facility serves young persons who may, at times, display aggressive or harmful behaviours. While this role does not involve managing these behaviours, employees may be exposed to such situations and are expected to maintain situational awareness and work effectively under pressure. Required training is provided to support safe and appropriate responses.

Additional Information

Background checks will be required, which will include:

• A current and clear Criminal Records check (CPIC)
• A current and clear Child Abuse Registry Check (CAR)
• Appropriate reference checks.

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of February 2, 2028.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development, where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department-specific flexible working schedules