Casual Cook, Riverview Gardens

Position Details

• 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
• Department: Long Term Care
• Work Location: On-site

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
• If no applicants 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 standards for challenging the LCQC exam established by Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and regulations of the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021
• Individuals without LCQC get one opportunity to obtain it and if unsuccessful, cannot hold the Cook position until obtained (per Unifor Local 127 Collective Agreement)
• 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 contagious illness spread
• 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 (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 clear, concise communication skills
• Previous experience providing staff-to-staff orientation an asset
• 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 and Hours of Work

• This position works mostly indoors
• Expected availability minimum of 22.5 hours per week
• Works weekday and weekend hours on day and afternoon shifts
• Must be able to accept short notice call-in hours for days, afternoons, and weekends, including 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 not mandatory, it is highly encouraged.

Background Check Requirements

Successful candidates must complete a background check prior to employment. This may include education/certification verification and employment reference check. The position works with vulnerable residents in a position of trust and authority, in a largely unsupervised capacity. A Vulnerable Sector Screen is required (Fixing Long-Term Care Act Section 252 O. Reg. 246/22) prior to employment. Must be 18 years or older to obtain vulnerable police check.

As per the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, all staff must promptly provide signed declaration disclosing new charges, convictions, orders and restraining orders consistent with Ontario Regulation Section 253 O. Reg 246/22, for the period since last criminal reference check.

Essential Physical and/or Safety Requirements

• Annual Flu immunization is required
• 2 step TB skin test to be completed within timeframe specified