Food Program Assistant

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Food Program Assistant

**Food Program Assistant - Directions Kitchen Program **Competition #12-23

About this Role

Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

The Food Program Assistant is a full-time position that requires an individual with creative cooking skills and a

passion for helping vulnerable youth with food security. This includes the nightly operation of our dinner program,

support of volunteers, working with youth at our pre-employment program, and organizing donations. This position is a unique opportunity for individuals that enjoy working independently and want to work within social services as well as in the culinary industry.

About our Opportunity:
**Our Valued Benefits**:

- Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full time staff
- Three (3) paid household leave days a year
- One paid Wellness Day a year
- Paid sick days
- Two and a half paid Agency days for full time staff
- Five paid days for education leave/year
- One paid Moving Day/year
- Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)
- A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

**Health and Wellness Resources**:

- Generous health/ dental benefits after 3 months.
- Three flex options for health/dental coverage depending on the coverage you need
- Option of psychological/ counselling services (up to $1500/year)
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Long Term Disability Plan
- Manulife Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

**Pension**: Pension plan enrollment

**Work Hours**: 32 hours per week

**Salary**:GS5 Step 1 $21.84/ hour

**Location***: Directions Youth Services, 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC

**Posting End Date**:Posting will remain open until filled

What you bring:
**Education, Training, Experience**
- 1-2 years related experience in a commercial kitchen.
- 6-12 months experience working with youth, preferably in support of youth who have alcohol /drug misuse issues.
- Grade 12 plus one-year post-secondary education.
- Food Safe certificate
- Current First Aid Certificate and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training an asset
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- A combination of education and experience may be considered

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities**
- Responsible for kitchen operations including health and safety, nutritious menu planning, meal preparation, ordering, purchasing, inventory upkeep, kitchen organization, and pursuing a zero waste environment, keeping the kitchen clean, hygienic, and tidy at all times.
- Building positive relationships and empowerment with youth while overseeing the food program Leaders in Training (a youth engagement and skills training program).
- Maintain accurate attendance records and report concerns to food program coordinator
- Overseeing the sorting and storing of available donations with the food security volunteers.
- Actively communicating with youth and staff around the services that the food program provides.
- Take a leadership role in the management of emergency and crisis situations by personally employing non-violent crisis prevention and intervention strategies, initiating first aid, calling emergency services, and/or delegating these tasks
- Maintain appropriate notes, statistics, logs and critical incidents

**Additional Requirements**
- Successful completion of criminal record check
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required

How to apply:
Our programs are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unseeded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh), Qayqayt,Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwekwetlem,Semiahmoo,Matsqui,and Tsawwassen First Nations. Huy ch q’u.