Lead Cook

Employment Status

Full Time Permanent 

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We provide housing and a range of support services to adults with low or no income who have few, if any, housing or support options. Because the people we serve have challenges meeting basic needs and goals, we place minimal barriers between them and our services. For more information about Lookout, please visit www.lookoutsociety.ca

Location

Powell Street Getaway, Vancouver 

20 minute walk from Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain Station 

Days and Hours of work

Monday through Friday 
Shift times will be 08:00 - 16:00 Hours 
Shifts are 7.5 hours in length  
Days of rest shall be consecutive. Schedule may change with two weeks’ notice 
Probationary/qualifying period will be 488 hours with mid and end point reviews 

Salary

$26.92 - 28.70 depending upon applicants' length of seniority (as per the Collective Agreement) 

Job Summary

The Lead Cook reports to the Site Manager and works in accordance with the mission and philosophy of Lookout Housing and Health Society including following Lookout’s Code of Ethics. The Cook prepares, cooks, and serves daily meals and is responsible for ensuring availability of food and beverages for guests. Maintains a high standard of cleanliness in eating and prep areas. 

Job Duties

1.    Plans and develops menus and recipes with input from others such as a Nutritionist to ensure meals are nutritious, varied, cost effective, appealing and meet Licensing requirements  by performing duties such as reviewing nutritional needs of clients, availability of specific food items, monitoring expenditures and reporting variances; incorporates donated foods/supplies as much as possible in food preparation. Initiates menu reviews in accordance with established policies and procedures.
2.    Performs a variety of administrative duties such as estimating food and supply requirements based on menus and minimum/maximum inventory levels, placing purchase orders with external suppliers, receiving supplies, checking invoices against orders and goods received, storing and distributing supplies and contacting suppliers to obtain and provide information to investigate invoice anomalies and damaged shipments.  Shops for food items and monitors kitchen expenditures.
3.    Prepares and serves meals and snacks by performing duties such as planning food preparation and cooking schedules, cooking items through methods such as roasting, grilling and  baking;  tests for palatability.
4.    Provides direction to guest(s), volunteer(s) and/or community placements assigned to work area by performing duties such as demonstrating tasks, monitoring work, supporting guest(s), volunteer(s) and/or community placements in completing functions and maintaining their work and attendance schedules.  Advises Manager of any problems.  Encourages and supports clients during their involvement in kitchen activities.
5.    Maintains security of kitchen by performing duties such as ensuring all knives are kept under lock and key except those in current use.
6.    Performs a variety of inventory control duties such as storing and rotating food and supplies.
7.    Participates as a team member with other staff to ensure a safe and caring environment by performing duties such as responding to emergency issues, attending general and team meetings and supporting others through methods such as sharing of knowledge and information.
8.    Observes guests and their environments to ensure the safety of guests and the premises by performing duties such as reporting unsafe conditions, incidents and/or behaviors, interacting with clients including observing client behavior, investigating disturbances, dealing with guest emergencies in accordance with guidelines and reporting incidents to appropriate staff or authorities.  Records observations for communication to other staff.
9.    Performs a variety of cleaning duties throughout shift such as cleaning food preparation equipment, sweeping and mopping floors including dining room and kitchen, cleaning sinks and counters, cleaning kitchen and storage areas such as walls, ovens and freezers and removing garbage. Washes scrubs and rinses pots, pans, dishes and utensils through methods such as by hand, dishwasher and/or pot washer.
10.    Maintains equipment in the area by performing duties such as monitoring functioning of equipment and reporting malfunctioning equipment.
11.    Maintains related manual and computerized records by performing duties such as completing documentation for recipes and records of client preferences, allergies and special dietary needs.
12.    Responsible for complying with and contributing to all aspects of health and safety program.
14.    Employees are expected to remain alert and attentive during working hours. Sleeping during shifts is not permitted.

Qualifications & Competence

• Minimum Grade 12 education and Cooking Diploma plus two (2) years of recent related experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience 
• Must have current Occupational First Aid Level 1 and FOODSAFE Certificate from the Department of Health 
• Experience with institutions or large organizations including experience with cost analysis and effectiveness 
• Experience in menu planning and developing order supply lists 
• Crisis Intervention Skills Training is an asset 
• Ability to work independently or in a team setting and to manage and organize daily workload 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing 
• Must understand and maintain clientele/worker boundaries 
• Ability to work with disadvantaged and challenging adults in a diverse environment 
• Quick learner and self-motivated 
• Strong physical and mental ability to perform work tasks 
• Must be able to operate job related equipment 
• A minimum two (2) years of sobriety if you have had concerns related to alcohol and/or drug use 
• Criminal Record Clearance – Vulnerable Sector 

Closing Date

Applications will be accepted until October 16, 2025 at 5:00pm

“All employees, including laid off and displaced employees, are entitled to apply on the vacancy and be considered pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.9.” Internal applicants must apply through "Career Opportunities" on SAP. External applicants will be reviewed after Internal. 
ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WELCOME TO APPLY. THOSE SHORT-LISTED WILL BE CONTACTED. 
c. BCGEU, Shop Steward 

Lookout Housing and Health Society is committed to empowering people from different races, gender, age, religion, identities and unique experiences. We welcome everyone from diverse backgrounds and encourage them to apply in order to foster an inclusive environment.