ACTIVITY of DAILY LIVING ASSISTANT (ADL) - COOK

Collegeview Acquired Brain Injury Supportive Housing

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Position

Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm

Existing Vacancy

Compensation: $23.11/hour-$25.62/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting; supporting the production of all meals providing our service users with nutritional care. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

As part of our team, as an Activity of Daily Living Assistant, “ADL”, your role as a Cook for our program contributes to our Service User’s daily experience. You will work in accordance with the mission, vision and values of Cota. Your duties and responsibilities will include planning, purchasing, preparing and serving healthy meals and snacks in collaboration with Collegeview tenants, as well as maintaining a clean and organized work environment.

About the Team

Collegeview is a supportive housing program operating out of a TSHC apartment in the Yonge St. /College St. area of downtown Toronto. This program provides rent-geared-to-income accommodation and supports to adults living with an ABI requiring various levels of physical, cognitive, and behavioral support. Service users reside in their own apartments and share a communal kitchen, dining area and lounge. The goal of the program is to assist service users to live well within their community in a supported environment. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other individual goals so that they can maintain their housing and lead productive lives within the community.

Primary Responsibilities:

Planning, in consultation with the Program Manager and Supervisor:

• Menu planning for all three meals per day, including snacks, taking into consideration food preferences, cultural restrictions and recognition, special dietary requirements/food allergies, budgetary constraints, and ensuring healthy/nutritious meals
• Preplanning all required tasks in advance if absent from work
• Preparing and purchasing all required food in advance and according to established schedules, procedures and spending limits
• Ensure food deliveries are according to purchase order. Inspecting all food deliveries for quantity and quality, recording and tracking inventory, storing and labelling appropriately for future use. Report any shortages or discrepancies
• Preparing and cooking meals, desserts and snacks in a timely manner according to established schedules and health standards, including the preparing, cutting of meats and vegetables, assembling ingredients for established recipes or according to taste, heating or cooling as required; serving/arranging foods in a pleasing manner; preparing and cooking meals for special events, occasions or theme nights. Disposal of expired food, rotating food upon delivery
• Cleaning and clearing the kitchen area, cooking facilities and utensils after each meal, disinfecting and sanitizing all contact surfaces; ensuring that all dishes, plates, utensils, etc., are returned, cleaned and available in sufficient quantities for the next meal; checking the kitchen equipment to ensure all is in safe working order, reporting any malfunctions
• Cleaning the kitchen, pantry, fridge and freezer
• Building a rapport with the tenants to learn their food preferences; monitoring and reporting on their health and wellbeing; identifying potential issues and communicating to Program Manager and/or Supervisor
• Supporting service user engagement in menu planning, and food preparation to support and enhance skill development
• Participating in the administration of the program by providing input into the preparation of the food services plan and budget and completing and maintaining required records or statistics
• Support pest control/ Bed bug prevention preparation
• Daily documentation
• Other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager

Qualifications:

Education:

• Minimum Grade 12 education or equivalent
• Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds
• Food Handlers Certification

Experience:

• Experience working with limited supervision but as part of a team

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of the accepted health and safety practices for food preparation, food handling and storage, as per the public health regulations governing commercial kitchens,
• Knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating guidelines as established by the Canada Health Guide, and of the food alternatives for those individuals with restricted or special dietary requirements. Combined with this is the requirement to operate food preparation equipment in a safe and proper manner
• Physical ability to meet the demands of cooking in a limited kitchen which will include conditions of high temperatures. Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Demonstrated skill and ability to prepare and cook a variety of nutritious meals in a timely manner. Knowledge and sensitivity is also required of multi-cultural cuisines and recipes
• Ability to interact with service users in a positive and supportive manner while respecting their individuality and autonomy. General knowledge is required of the issues faced by vulnerable adults with special needs, which will include mental health issues, addictions, cognitive impairments and low income. Some understanding or knowledge of acquired brain injury, cognitive impairment, and mental illness an asset
• Perform a variety of inventory control duties such as storing and rotating food and supplies
• Excellent interpersonal and English oral skills are essential
• First Aid and/or CPR certification and fluency in a second language an asset
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Other:

• Please note that the site location supports a communal kitchen and at times subject to pest control issues
• The role may require lifting of objects
• The position is based in downtown Toronto

We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

Benefits:

Upon successful completion of a three-month period of employment, permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week will be eligible for employer-paid group insurance benefits. These employer-paid benefits will include:

• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Dental care
• Travel assistance
• Vision care

Permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week are also required to enroll in employee-paid long-term disability coverage.

Additional Information:

**Interview Process:**Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

**Screening Process:**Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

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Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, accountability, collaboration, and innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca