Talent Pool - Food Services Helpers (Cook Assistants)

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Apply By: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Talent Pool - Food Services Helpers (Cook Assistants)

Job ID:

250273

Posting status:

Open

Organization:

Ministry of the Solicitor General

Division:

Ottawa-Carlton Detention Centre

City:

Ottawa

Position(s) language:

English

Job term:

Temporary (up to 6 months, with possible extension)

Job code:

C50230 - Helper Food Service (COR)

Salary:

$24.40 - $26.23 Per hour*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Apply now

Accessibility support

Showcase your experience working in a large, fast-paced food service operation!

Join our team in Ottawa, a thriving and culturally diverse city offering an excellent quality of life and access to a wide range of recreational, educational, and community amenities. We are looking for dedicated Food Service Helpers to support food service operations by assisting with meal preparation and ensuring kitchen facilities are maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.

Explore Exciting Career Opportunities in Corrections

Join us for a Career Fair at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.

This event offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the rewarding career paths in Corrections and to meet our dedicated team.

To learn about other career opportunities available, please visit our career fair landing page.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 22
Time: 11:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m
Location: Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, 2244 Innes Road, Ottawa, ON

REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre Career Fair Registration Link

• Please bring a valid photo ID and Eventbrite confirmation code (electronic or print out)
• You may still attend and register on site that day
• Free parking available on site but please note that parking is limited.

About the job

As part of the food service team, you will help prepare meals for inmates and keep the kitchen safe and clean. The meal schedule is routine, but the menus are diverse and customized to dietary needs. Each shift may bring something a little different! In this role you can expect to:

• Ensure the safety and security of staff and inmates
• Support the cook-chill or re-thermalization of food
• Maintain and sanitize the kitchen and equipment
• Keep track of and safely store ingredients, equipment, and dishware
• Coordinate the delivery of meals
• Receive and complete documents for incoming goods and equipment
• Guide and support inmate helpers

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• You have a valid Food Handler Certificate (either currently OR previously certified and can obtain re-certification upon hire)
• You have a current First Aid and Heartsaver Certificates OR ability to obtain certification upon hire
• You are willing to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays. You will be able to provide your availability ahead of time and your Manager will schedule you based on your availability.

Food Service Knowledge and Experience

You have:
• experience using kitchen equipment and tools to prepare snacks and meals
• knowledge of various diets (i.e. lifestyle, medical, religious)
• experience with cook-chill/re-thermalization safety methods as well as volume cooking
• experience following food, health and safety standards and practices
• the ability to know and follow policies and protocols
• the ability to supervise inmate helpers in close quarters and report their conduct (with appropriate training that will be provided)

Skills

You are able to:
• recognize and correct workplace hazards
• interact with staff as well as supervise and direct inmate helpers
• recognize and report problems (i.e, food quality, sanitation, or hygiene control)

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.

We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Position details:

• English Temporary, duration up to 6 months, 2244 Innes Rd, Ottawa, East Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Credit History Check, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS

Compensation group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Work hours:

Schedule 4-7

Category:

Corrections and Enforcement

Posted on:

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Note:

• The number of positions to be filled has not been identified at this time. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities within the next eighteen months following the closing date of the job ad posting.
• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
• W-CL-229656/25

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

Strengthening Ontario, together