Cook (Casual)

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community for nearly 140 years. We offer responsive, low-barrier services to individuals who are low-income, underhoused or homeless. We provide essential services to meet the daily needs of community members and engage in systems change work to reduce homelessness and break cycles of poverty. If you’re looking for purpose-filled work and want to make a difference in the community, this might be the opportunity for you.

This position requires that you have a valid BC Drivers' License. We do the cooking at 628 Clark Drive and take food to our Emergency Shelter on Alexander Street and also serve from a Food Truck on Hastings Street.

This position comes with generous health and welfare benefits following the completion of a probationary period.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**POSITION TITLE**:Cook
**DEPARTMENT**:Food Services
**REPORTS TO**:Food Services Manager
**DATE**:November 2024
**Hours**:Casual
**Starting Wage**:$25.68 per hour

**Our Vision**

A neighborhood where every person's worth is celebrated, and all people thrive.

**Our Mission**:
We seek a just society, nurturing spirits through ministry, housing, advocacy and community services.

Each job within the **First United Church** should in some way promote our accomplishment of this vision and mission.

**POSITION OBJECTIVE**

The Cook position works within the Food Services Department in providing consistent and good quality food and service. The Cook position is responsible for not only large volume food preparation but also the transporting of food (large quantities) to various locations where the food is served directly to community or to residents of the shelter. Transporting food is done via the Food Truck or with another of First United's vehicles.

**GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Ensure refrigerators and storerooms are kept organized and maintained in the various kitchen areas on a daily basis and that all food products are stored in accordance with health regulations.
- Attend work as scheduled, give sufficient notice for absences to Food Services Manager.
- Ensures smooth operation of kitchen services during absence of Food Services Manager.
- Completes cleaning according to daily and weekly schedules and dishwashing/pot washing as needed.
- Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of equipment, food storage, and work areas.
- Conduct yourself in a professional and positive manner.
- Ensure food is stored in appropriate containers, labeled, and rotated to ensure high standards of freshness, minimizing waste and maximizing quality.
- Actively participate in the environmental program and department specific initiatives in working towards sustainable operations.
- Strive to uphold a safe working environment and be Health and Safety conscious and actively involved in maintaining and improving a safe work environment.
- Maintain professional work habits.
- Adhere to all First United Guidelines, Policies, Rules and Regulations.
- Practice proper grooming, personal hygiene, and uniform standards.
- Ensure that the kitchen area is maintained at the highest level of cleanliness at all times, especially during food production. This includes: any food spills are cleaned immediately; all equipment is cleaned on a daily basis and there is no buildup of grease or other stains on all equipment.
- Help to ensure that food deliveries have been delivered and stored according to the standards set by the Food Services Manager.
- Ensure the proper use of scales and measurements in all recipes, portioning, and food production.
- Maintain integrity of kitchen and supplies by managing access to kitchen by volunteers and non-kitchen staff.
- Maintain up to date Food Safe Certification.
- Liaise with outside groups/volunteers and donors as required.
- Manage access to dry storage area.
- Ensure that volunteers possessions are stored away from the kitchen area.
- Carry out other related duties which may be assigned from time to time.

**Kitchen and Cooking Duties and Responsibilities**

**Food Truck Duties and Responsibilities**
- Prep food items prior to food service
- Drive or meet the food truck at the designated area and participate in the food service
- Provide excellent customer-oriented food service to community.
- Work alongside volunteers and Program Staff to ensure smooth food service.
- Be able to work in varying weather and temperature conditions.
- Consistently follow sanitizing and food safety protocols
- Carry out other related duties which may be assigned from time to time.

**Shelter Duties and Responsibilities**
- Works collaboratively with our tenant neighbors at Clark Kitchen; providing assistance or meals when required.
- Follows menu specifications, preps, cooks, and presents all food products with care and quality.
- Ensure food is stored in appropriate containers, labeled, and rotated to ensure high standards of freshness, minimizing waste, and maxim