POSITION SUMMARY

The Kitchen Assistant is accountable to the Manager, Nutrition and Wellness, and is responsible for supporting kitchen operations for guest families utilizing Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario’s London House and Family Room. Primary responsibilities include supporting the food needs of site programs that feed up to 150 people daily, hosting of volunteer groups, and supporting the on-site Sous Chefs. This role is focused on “Putting Families at the Heart of Care” through excellence in program delivery and exceptional communication and teamwork within the Nutrition and Wellness portfolio.

Position Type: Part-Time

Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Artificial Intelligence

AI-supported tools may be used in parts of the selection process to help evaluate applications; however, our HR system itself does not include any AI functionality. All hiring decisions are made by people.

To ensure fair and equitable pay at RMH SWO, placement on the hourly wage will be based on your years of experience, skills and qualifications relevant to the role. The hourly range is $22.00 to $24.00.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Excellence:

• In collaboration with Sous Chefs, support inventory processes to ensure the availability of foods required for nutritional menus, and ensure daily production and delivery of nutritious grab-and-go food and snacks to the London Family Room.
• Maintain a culturally inclusive calendar of kitchen or nutrition-based programs and activities that honours diverse holidays and traditions, ensuring that families have access to traditional foods that reflect their cultural and dietary needs.
• Supervise volunteers in kitchen operations, upholding high standards of expectations and providing regular mentorship in the interest of continuous quality improvement to benefit guest families.
• Maintains food inventory, monitors pantries, fridges, and freezers, and advises volunteers and groups of excess ingredients, available or off-limits items.
• Ensure daily kitchen operations meet or exceed food safety standards, including grocery quality inspection, monitoring of temperatures, infection control, cleanliness, sanitization, and health and safety guidelines and policies.
• Support daily cleaning and deep cleaning efforts, and ongoing monitoring functionality and safety of kitchen equipment.
• Provide back-up kitchen support to dinner service as needed as part of the Nutrition and Wellness Team.
• Participate in continuing education opportunities pertinent to developing and implementing new programming initiatives.
• Complete administrative tasks as required.

Volunteer & Community Engagement

• Welcome and engage kitchen volunteers and donors as needed to provide a meaningful and rewarding experience with the Meals From the Heart program.
• Ensure all kitchen volunteers follow instructions closely with or without supervision including adherence to health and safety guidelines, safe food handling practices and professional interactions with guest families.
• Support the training of volunteers assisting with prep work, cooking, baking, cleaning, serving, and packaging meals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:· Embed DEI principles into all aspects of operations and programming, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment.· Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in all mission-focused activities of RMH SWO.

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• High school diploma.
• 2+ years’ experience in culinary services, batch cooking or catering.
• Friendly and outgoing, comfortable in leading groups.
• Demonstrated compassion and sensitivity to diverse needs of population served.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and time management skills.
• Current Safe Food Handling Certification.
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Screening Police Check.
• Current First Aid Certificate.

Hours of Work

• Part time schedule: Varied hours, minimum 22 hours/week, typical 9:00am to 4:30pm, and in addition statutory holidays and vacation coverage as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

RMHC-SWO is a safety net for families and strives to help alleviate the isolation and stress families feel when they have an ill or injured child. All staff must display care and compassion, possess emotional maturity and discretion, and respect the dignity and rights of guests, volunteers, and other staff members. Keeping confidentiality is of the utmost importance.

Direct Reports Include:

• None

Travel: The ability to travel regionally may be required.

Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario is a family centered brand and deeply values the lives of its employees inside and outside of RMH SWO programs. We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and vacation package. RMH SWO is committed to principles of anti-oppression and employment equity. We strongly encourage members of Indigenous, ethno-racial, LGBTQ+, Francophone, immigrant, refugee, differently abled, and other equity-seeking groups to apply and self-identify.

To apply, please email your detailed resume and cover letter to Jessica Abbott, HR Coordinator, People & Cutlure, at jabbott@RonaldMcDonaldHouseSWO.ca. If accommodation is required during the hiring process, please inform the hiring manager or committee once selected for an interview. We thank all interested applicants, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted