Cook - Wood Street Campus in Truro

Department: Opportunities and Social Development

Location: TRURO

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 19-Feb-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we provide a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program (DSP). Wood Street Campus is a cornerstone in providing specialized treatment services for children and youth in the care of the Minister of OSD. We operate 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and are passionate about supporting our youth and enhancing their development into successful young people in the community.

About Our Opportunity

As the Cook, you play a key role in daily life at the Centre by planning, preparing, and delivering nutritious meals that support health, routine, and wellbeing for residents, staff, and visitors. You are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the food services program, from menu planning and food safety to inventory control and budgeting. This role also involves working alongside youth who may assist in the kitchen, supporting skill development, positive engagement, and safe participation in daily activities. You may supervise youth at the campus who are completing practicums stemming from educational programs. This is a hands-on role that balances independence with collaboration in an interdisciplinary team environment.

Primary Accountabilities

• Coordinating, delivering and overseeing a food services program for 20-38 youth and staff who may be on duty.
• Planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals in alignment with Canada’s Food Guide.
• Developing and submitting menus for dietitian approval in accordance with the Operational Manual, accommodating special dietary needs as necessary.
• Ensuring food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards are consistently met and in compliance.
• Conducting daily inspections of kitchen and dining areas, equipment, utensils, and food storage.
• Ordering, receiving, storing, and inventorying food, supplies, and kitchen equipment.
• Supporting and supervising youth who assist in kitchen operations and meal times.
• Working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Participation and cooperation with the centre’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Program.

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed a Journeyperson Cook Certificate (Red Seal), an up-to-date Food Handlers Course, and a valid First Aid certification. You are experienced in planning and preparing nutritious meals for groups, and are knowledgeable of food safety, sanitation, and hygiene practices. You are highly collaborative, have strong organizational and time-management skills, and have an ability to remain calm, flexible, and focused in a setting where priorities may shift quickly.

While not required, assets include experience:

• Working in child-caring or secure treatment settings.
• Working with youth or vulnerable populations.
• Supervising or training others in a kitchen environment.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Working Conditions

This position is based onsite at the Wood Street Campus. Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. You will work in a treatment facility that operates 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Rotating shift work is not required; however, at times you may be required to adjust your schedule or perform overtime to ensure the operation of the campus. The centre is a locked/secured environment, and close attention to security is required. Work is performed in a kitchen and dining environment and involves light physical activity. The facility serves young persons who may, at times, display aggressive or harmful behaviours. While this role does not involve managing these behaviours, employees may be exposed to such situations and are expected to maintain situational awareness and work effectively under pressure. Required training is provided to support safe and appropriate responses.

Additional Information

Background checks will be required, which will include:

• A current and clear Criminal Records check (CPIC).
• A current and clear Child Abuse Registry Check (CAR).
• Appropriate reference checks.

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of February 2, 2028. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development, where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.
• Pay Grade: SE 25.
• Salary Range: $2,171.25- $2,301.52 Bi-Weekly.

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via the provided link. Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued. External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.