Shelter Cook

Job Posting

URGENTLY HIRING

POSITION TITLE: Shelter Cook & Cleaner

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Emergency Shelter & Social Service HUB

REPORTS TO: Leadership Team

SUBMIT APPLICATION BY: Internal/External – Application Deadline: January 31, 2026

PURPOSE: Busby Centre provides safe, respectful, and welcoming overnight accommodation and daytime drop-in services, meals and access to housing focused supports to those experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in the communities of Barrie, Springwater, Midland and South Georgian Bay.

The Busby Centre is a community-based agency that believes in the Housing First philosophies and practices. We strive to improve the quality of life for people who are struggling with chronic homelessness, significant mental health issues and substance misuse. Our program provides individuals a place to stay, and staff support 24/7, along with a variety of on-site services to help people experiencing homelessness transition to housing and successfully stay housed.

We are currently seeking an individual to assist with the delivery of the food program (planning, cooking serving, cleaning etc.), with additional cleaning duties. We are hiring a Shelter Cook & Cleaner to work a combination of days, afternoons, weekdays, weekends and holidays. The position would work in our Emergency Shelter program and our Social Service HUB, with the support of staff and volunteers to facilitate on-site meals and meals packaged for other programs, and other cleaning duties as assigned.

Please note: This is a PERMANENT contract, subject to yearly renewal based on employee performance and the availability of sufficient program funding. There are TWO (2) PARTTIME position available.

LOCATION: 88 Mulcaster Street, Barrie (Barrie Shelter)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Prepares and serves hot, nutritious and tasty meals for residents and program participants

· Receives, checks, records, sorts, issues and retrieves food, cleaning, paper and other supplies to and from proper storage areas.

· Lifts and carries items and maintains storage areas.

· Take temperatures of refrigerators and freezers and reports temperatures that are not in the proper range.

· Rotates food according to expiry dates.

· Prepares food by cleaning, peeling, mincing, cutting, chopping, mixing, portioning, measuring ingredients, packing and labelling etc.

· Load cart with dishes, utensils, containers and trays necessary for service and delivers to dining and service areas.

· Collects and disposes of/or saves leftovers and waste from fridge.

· Serves food according to guidelines set forth by departmental management with regards to heating, plating and serving instructions.

· Prepares and sets out nightly snack as required.

· Check and documents food for temperature, freshness, and correct diet.

· Clear tables at completion of meals and wheel dirty dishes and flatware, pots and pans to washing area.

· Washes, cleans and sanitizes all kitchen counters, tables, bins, refrigerator, freezers, garbage containers, carts, and any equipment used in the preparation of food and in serving areas.

· Selects and mixes all required cleaning solutions according to WHMIS Legislation and Health and Safety Codes.

· Wash all dishes, flatware, pots and pans using dishwashers, and/or sink.

· Sort and disposes of garbage according to the recycling program in effect

· Bags, removes and transports garbage to disposal areas

· Maintain garbage cans and bins in a clean and sanitary manner

· Clean floor surfaces (e.g., sweeping, wet and dry mopping, etc.)

· Reports all necessary maintenance repairs and any unsafe conditions

· Attend staff and team meetings, and in-service training as required

· Works with volunteers and placement students

· To perform other duties as assigned to meet the requirements of operating programs efficiently

· Support cross-departmental collaboration, contribute with enthusiasm to agency initiatives, and embody the mission and values of the Busby Centre

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY:

All employees are responsible for carrying out work in a way that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others. All employees are expected to learn, understand, and adhere to the Busby Centre's health and safety policies and procedures and keep up to date on any changes, particularly as it relates to new/emerging information related to infection prevention and control.

QUALIFICATIONS:

o Experience cooking in a professional food service environment, cooking diverse meals and considering special diets

o Experience planning meals, preparing and serving food for large groups of up to 100 people

o Experience cooking for vulnerable community members and working with donated food is a definite asset

o Successful completion of food handlers /safety awareness program as mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Standards

o Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WHMIS and other Legislation/ regulations related to this work

o Ability to operate, lift and move various equipment, supplies and other heavy items

o Ability to perform various cleaning duties to maintain a safe, clean and efficient kitchen

o Ability and willingness to prepare and serve meals in a way that values the dignity, and respects the diversity, of shelter residents

o Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers, volunteers and management to responsibly maintain inventory, equipment and all food service facilities

o Culinary education and/or equivalent training experience in food service

o Ability to work flexible hours.

SCHEDULE/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract, starting as soon as possible. The available positions may entail a flexible schedule, encompassing day and evening shifts or a combination of the two, as well as weekday and weekend shifts including holidays. This position works in a direct capacity with vulnerable individuals experiencing a myriad of challenges.

WAGE: Starting at $24.60

COMPENSATION PACKAGE (AFTER 3 MONTHS):

· Confidential Employee Assistance program (EAP) for you and for your immediate family

· Life insurance, long term disability, extended health and dental benefits;

· Employer paid vacation and sick time

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications can be sent by sending a cover letter and resume to: Please ensure you are including "Housing Focused Shelter Support Worker" in the subject line. We thank all those who apply for this position. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

DIVERSITY & INCULSION: The Busby Centre is a progressive work environment committed to the principle of employment equity, to respecting diversity and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. The Busby Centre is committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please let us know prior to your interview.

USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): Please note that your application and any related materials you provide may be processed, stored, reviewed, or otherwise used by systems in our recruitment selection process that may interact with AI tools. This includes any AI integrated functions that may be utilized by the job board through which you applied to.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From $24.60 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 35 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Vision care

Work Location: In person