Food Program Kitchen Assistant

About this Role

Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.

Working within the mission, vision, values and person-centered philosophy of the Agency, the Directions Food Program Kitchen Assistant supports the delivery of effective and accessible pantry and kitchen programs for Centre youth. This position will consist of working collaboratively with the Food Program Supervisor, kitchen staff and volunteers, and serving a variety of unhoused youth struggling with substance use, including those who are neurodiverse and/or face emotional/social challenges. The focus of this position is to increase participant capacity to prepare healthy, low-cost meals while reducing isolation levels and increasing social and community connections.The position actively supports the Agency’s awareness and goals around diversity, inclusion justice and equity. This position reports directly to the Food Program Supervisor.

Our Valued Benefits:

• Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full-time staff growing to more + (pro-rated for part-time)
• Three paid household leave days a year (pro-rated for part-time)
• Two paid Wellness Days a year
• Paid sick days
• Two and a half paid Agency days for full-time staff
• Five paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time)
• One paid Moving Day/year
• Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)
• A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity

Health and Wellness Resources:

• Generous health/dental benefits after three months.
• Three flex benefit options to meet your individualized needs
• Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Insurance, Travel insurance, ++

Pension: Municipal Pension plan enrollment for eligible employees

Work Hours: 32 hours per week - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2pm-10pm. (Part-Time)

Salary: GS 6 Step 1 - $23.16/hour

Location: Directions Youth Services Centre, 1138 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC

Posting End Date: Posting will remain open until filled

What you bring:

Education, Training, Experience

• Grade 12, plus one-year post-secondary education
• Food Safe certificate
• Current First Aid Certificate and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training an asset
• Two-years of related experience in a commercial or community kitchen.
• One-year experience working with youth, preferably in support of youth who use substances, face mental health challenges, and/or are unhoused.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Responsible for kitchen operations including health and safety, nutritious menu planning, meal preparation, inventory upkeep, kitchen organization, pursuing a zero waste environment, keeping the kitchen clean, hygienic, and tidy at all times.
• Building positive relationships with youth who access the drop-in centre.
• Maintaining accurate attendance records of volunteers, and report concerns to Food Program Supervisor.
• Overseeing the sorting and storing of food donations, and supporting kitchen volunteers to do the same.
• Taking a leadership role in the management of emergency and crisis situations by personally employing non-violent crisis prevention and intervention strategies, initiating first aid, calling emergency services, and/or delegating these tasks
• Maintaining appropriate notes, statistics, logs, and reporting critical incidents that occur while on shift.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of criminal record check
• Class 5 Driver’s License an asset

How to apply: If this describes you, please submit your application to us through our website, https://fsgv.ca/careers/