POSITION TITLE: Cook / Nutrition Advisor
PROGRAM: Supportive Living – Group Home Alternative Living Care
POSITION TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
HOURS OF WORK: 40 hours per week; Typically, Monday – Friday (10:30am – 6:30pm); Schedule may vary and include occasional weekend days based on operational needs. Additional hours will be required during peak times, which may require an adjusted work schedule in order to meet deadlines.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Cook / Nutrition Advisor plays a vital role in supporting the health, wellbeing, and daily living of residents within a supportive living group home serving adults with mental illness and intellectual disabilities. This position is responsible for the planning, preparation, and delivery of nutritious meals, while fostering a supportive, inclusive, and skill-building environment.
Working collaboratively with residents, Supportive Living Coordinators, and Recovery Alberta clinical staff, the Cook / Nutrition Advisor ensures that food services align with dietary needs, cultural preferences, therapeutic goals, and recovery-oriented practices. The role also contributes to life skills development by supporting residents to build capacity in meal planning, cooking, and nutrition
REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Operations –Post Discharge, Supportive Living & Alternative Living care
KEY SERVICE RESPONSIBILITES AND SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES
Meal Planning & Preparation
- Plan and prepare two nutritious, balanced meals daily (lunch and dinner), incorporating Canada’s Food Guide and best practices in mental health and nutrition.
- Ensure availability of breakfast foods and snacks for residents.
- Develop weekly and monthly menus in collaboration with residents, incorporating preferences, cultural needs, and dietary requirements.
- Adapt meals to meet specific health needs (e.g., diabetes, allergies, texture modifications) in consultation with clinical staff.
- Support special meals and food-related activities for holidays, cultural celebrations, and program events.
Resident Engagement & Life Skills Development
- Engage residents in meal planning, grocery selection, and food preparation as part of life skills development.
- Provide informal and structured education on cooking, nutrition, budgeting, and food safety.
- Foster a welcoming kitchen environment that promotes participation, autonomy, and confidence.
- Support residents to build independence in food-related daily living activities.
Procurement & Inventory Management
- Source and purchase food, kitchen supplies, and equipment in alignment with program budgets and organizational policies.
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels of food and supplies.
- Monitor food quality, storage, and safety standards (including proper labeling, rotation, and sanitation).
- Establish relationships with local vendors and identify cost-effective purchasing options.
Budgeting & Administration
- Manage food and kitchen-related budgets responsibly, ensuring cost control and value for money.
- Track expenditures and maintain accurate financial records.
- Collect and report on key data (e.g., meal counts, food costs, participation in meal programs) to support program evaluation and funder reporting.
- Contribute to continuous improvement through documentation and feedback on food services.
Collaboration & Team Integration
- Work collaboratively with Supportive Living Coordinators and interdisciplinary team members, including Recovery Alberta clinical staff.
- Participate in team meetings as required to align meal planning with resident care plans and therapeutic goals.
- Communicate effectively regarding resident needs, dietary changes, and program updates.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain high standards of kitchen hygiene and food safety in accordance with Alberta Health Services guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, including those related to health and safety.
- Identify and address potential risks related to food handling and kitchen operations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Diploma or certification in Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Food Services, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Food Safety Certification (e.g., Food Safe Level 1 or equivalent) required.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in meal preparation in a community, healthcare, or group living setting.
- Experience working with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or in supportive housing environments is an asset.
- Knowledge of therapeutic diets, cultural food practices, and trauma-informed approaches is preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong cooking and meal planning skills with an emphasis on nutrition and inclusivity.
- Ability to engage and teach individuals with diverse learning needs.
- Excellent organizational and budgeting skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving ability.
- Commitment to recovery-oriented, person-centered, and culturally responsive care.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed on-site in a residential group home kitchen environment.
- Regular interaction with residents with complex mental health and developmental needs.
- Physical demands include standing for extended periods, lifting groceries and kitchen supplies, and food preparation tasks.
DISCLAIMER
The above statements are not intended be a thorough list of all responsibilities, additional duties and tasks may be assigned.
You may be exposed to emotionally charged and high-stress situations. You must demonstrate resilience, sound judgment, emotional regulation, and the ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure.
CMHA Calgary operates CCTV equipment on its premises for safety and security purposes. All employees may be subject to video monitoring while on site.
CMHA Calgary is a smoke-free work environment, there may be occasional exposure to second hand smoke from designated smoking areas nearby.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Application closing date: The posting will remain active on the website until the positions are filled.
Candidates meeting the above criteria who wish to apply for this exciting opportunity should email their cover letter and resume to Human Resources at [email protected]
Please include the reference #10072026 in your email subject line of your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
