Job Status: Permanent Casual
Union: UNIFOR (RVG)
Number of Positions: 1
Hours of Work: up to 22.5 hours per week
Location: Riverview Gardens, LTC
Closing Date: September 14, 2026, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.
Job description
The Cook is responsible for preparing all meals and snacks to be served to residents, staff and visitors of the home, in accordance with safe food handling techniques and providing high nutritive value, flavour, colour, texture and appearance, following standardized recipes.
Essential responsibilities
- Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies
- Operate all equipment in dietary department; clean and sanitize food service equipment and wares; complete pre-start up equipment checks as necessary
- Strict adherence to the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and regulations for Nutrition and Hydration, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Public Health Regulations and the Sanitation Code
- Control of food storage rooms, freezers and refrigerators; date, label, and store all food properly; reduce waste by following production sheets and recipes; monitor, report and discard leftovers according to policy
- Use all tools and information provided including recipes, therapeutic menus and production sheets to maintain the highest possible quality and consistency and quantity
- Keep records, receive, rotate and inventory products; order required items as needed
- Ensure all special dietary needs are met; follow therapeutic portioning guidelines to meet residents' dietary requirements
- Prepare texture modified food as directed to ensure proper texture and amount
- Ensure that food is ready to be served at required meal and snack times
- Serve meals as required
- Monitor, record and maintain Quality Assurance records
- Discuss resident meals service requirements with food service coordinators and supervisor
- Ensure that home and dietary department policies and procedures are followed
Essential qualifications
- Secondary School Diploma or equivalent education (e.g. GED certificate) required
- Labour Certificate of Qualification of Cook (LCQC) required (Red Seal)
- Experience working as a cook in a Long-Term Care setting preferred; previous experience working in a non-Long Term Care setting will be considered
- Should there be no applicants that hold the LCQC, applicants with 6000 hours of cooking experience will be considered. Successful candidates will be given six (6) months to confirm they meet the standards for challenging the LCQC exam established by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and meet the Regulations of the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021
- Individuals without their LCQC are only given one opportunity to obtain it and should they not be successful, they are not entitled to hold a Cook’s position until they have obtained an LCQC (as per Unifor Local 127 Collective Agreement, Letter of Understanding)
- Possess excellent decision-making skills required for estimating food requirements and portions
- Knowledge of good sanitation and safe food handling techniques to avoid infection and spread of contagious illness
- Knowledge of Ministry of Health standards and criteria for food services, Public Health regulations and sanitation code
Other qualifications
- Food preparation courses would be an asset
- Experience belonging to a work committee (i.e. health & safety, education, wellness, etc.) an asset
- Ability to read, write and accurately follow written and verbal instructions
- Ability to answer phone professionally and respond to issues/requests
- Must possess effective listening skills and the ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner
- Previous experience providing staff-to-staff orientation an asset
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Basic computer skills
Certifications, memberships, licenses
- Labour Certificate of Qualification of Cook (LCQC) required
- Current Food Safety Training certificate completed with Public Health required
Work environment/hours of work
- This position works mostly indoors
- This position is expected to be available for a minimum of 22.5 hours per week
- This position works weekday and weekend hours on day and afternoon shifts
- Must be able to accept on short notice call-in hours for days, afternoons, and weekends, which may include four (4) hour shifts.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent no longer requires a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Although it is not mandatory to be vaccinated, it is highly encouraged.
Background check requirements
Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check. This position works with vulnerable residents in a position of trust and authority, on a sustained and regular basis, in a largely unsupervised capacity. A Vulnerable Sector Screen is required (Fixing Long-Term Care Act Section 252 O. Reg. 246/22) prior to being accepted for employment. You must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a vulnerable police check.
As per the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, all staff members shall promptly provide the employer with a signed declaration disclosing new charges, convictions, orders and restraining orders, consistent with Ontario Regulation Section 253 O. Reg 246/22, with respect to the period since the date the person’s last criminal reference check under subsection (2) was conducted.
Essential physical and/or safety requirements
- Annual Flu immunization is required
- 2 step TB skin test to be completed within two weeks of starting position
- The employer may request a “Physical Task Analysis”
- Bending: frequent stooping, squatting (up to 4.55 kgs or 10 lbs) (assesses the needs and abilities of a resident (restorative & recreational); works with individual residents to carry out specific exercise programs; exercise programs may include the use of therapeutic equipment and adaptive aids)
- Walking: frequent walking on level surface (up to 22.73 kgs or 50 lbs) (plans and implements home-wide activities and special events; resident activities may include the set up and tear down of equipment and/or furniture; portering of residents to and from activities; participates and assists in bus trips for residents)
- Reaching: frequent lifting below shoulder (up to 22.73 kgs or 50 lbs) (works with individual residents to carry out specific exercise programs; exercise programs may include the use of therapeutic equipment and adaptive aids; resident activities may include the set up and tear down of equipment and/or furniture; portering of residents to and from activities)
- Lifting: frequent lifting waist to shoulder, pushing below shoulder, pulling below shoulder (up to 22.73 kgs or 50 lbs) (works with individual residents to carry out specific exercise programs; physical ability to lift residents during exercise and walking programs; physical ability to use arms to do passive exercises and range of motion exercises; operation of mechanical lifts and wheelchairs (manual and electric); resident activities may include the set up and tear down of equipment and/or furniture; portering of residents to and from activities)
- Standing: frequent standing inside (up to 4.55 kgs or 10 lbs)
- Hands: frequent gripping, mousing (up to 4.55 kgs or 10 lbs) (works with individual residents to carry out specific exercise programs; physical ability to lift residents during exercise and walking programs; physical ability to use arms to do passive exercises and range of motion exercises)
- Climbing: infrequent climbing stairs (participates and assists in bus trips for residents)
Benefits
As per the UNIFOR (RVG) (2022-2024) collective agreement, this permanent casual position would receive $23.39 - 31.61 CAD per hour in addition to 15% in lieu of benefits and 4% vacation pay.
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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.
Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.
