Kitchen Assistant

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg.

IISD-ELA acknowledges that our research facility is located on Treaty Three lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to the original state is implicit in its mission. Many local schools in the region come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems and how humans serve a role in working with one another to protect these resources.

The Kitchen Assistant will work under the direction of the Head Chef on all aspects of food preparation and cleaning. This is a seasonal position beginning April 29, 2024, and ending November 1, 2024. The kitchen prepares three varied and nutritionally balanced cafeteria-style meals 7 days a week. Full room and board will be provided at the IISD-ELA facility.

Responsibilities

• Accountable and responsible for maintaining a culture of safety and nutrition.
• Safely operating kitchen equipment for food preparation (cleaning, peeling, chopping, measuring, cooking, baking) and portioning.
• Proper food storage and rotation of kitchen inventory.
• Cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing food storage and serving areas.
• Assisting in serving meals in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Cleaning the kitchen, dining hall, and washroom as assigned.
• Removing trash, recycling, and composting to designated areas.
• Adopting all COVID-19 protocols and procedures of the facility.

Physical Demands Requirements

• Standing for long periods of time.
• Frequently lifting objects weighing approximately 16 kg to unload food supply trucks and organize kitchen inventory.
• Frequently reaching below the waist and above the shoulder.
• Repetitive movements with the hands in food preparation.

Work Conditions and Environment

• Ability to hear, understand and follow verbal instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to read and understand food product labels and safety instructions.
• Exposure to hot and cold environments.
• Ability to work split shifts within the kitchen team schedule.
• Ability to work safely in close quarters and congested areas.
• Ability and willingness to travel, work, and live in a remote field station in dormitory-style accommodation.

The Kitchen Assistant must live on-site at the IISD-ELA facility. Transportation to the research camp is provided from Winnipeg, Manitoba, when available. Room and board are provided, including Internet and laundry facilities. Experience in culinary arts should be highlighted in the application. Overtime may be necessary when approved by the supervisor in advance.

The contract is for a full-time term position starting April 29, 2024, and ending November 1, 2024.

Rate of Pay:  $850–950/week based on experience

Application deadline: Open until filled

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR, link here. Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional; right-click to download)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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Keywords

Kitchen AssistantFood PreparationCleaningSafetyNutritionCulinary ArtsKitchen InventoryMeal ServiceCOVID-19 ProtocolsOnsite Living