Specialist, Emergency Disaster & Services (with cooking) - 12 Months

The position assist with the planning and delivery of the Emergency Disaster Services program within the assigned catchment area. During deployment, an emphasis on the delivery of Food (Cook & prepares nutritious meals), and Emotional & Spiritual Care from a CRU (Community Response Unit – Field Kitchen).

In cooperation with the Divisional Director of EDS, assist with the provision of 24-hour 7 days a week Emergency Disaster Services for catchment area as situations and/or the Government MOU dictate.

• Participate in the organizing and delivery of training courses with the catchment area.
• Share responsibility with the Divisional Director of EDS in ensuring that clients receive pastoral care, emotional & spiritual support and referrals as needed.
• Ensure assistance is provided with respect to clients’ immediate material needs, i.e., food, water, and clothing.
• During deployment, an emphasis on the delivery of Food (Cook & prepares nutritious meals):
  • Prepares and serves traditional meals off CRU following Canada’s Food Guide and the Dietician approved menu.
  • Ensures food safe practices are always followed in food preparation, service, and storage. Ensuring items stored in refrigerators and freezers are labelled, dated, covered properly and placed on the appropriate shelf.
  • May use a wide range of cookery methods to produce a range of menu items, including boil, blanch, simmer, poach, steam, stew, braise, roast, bake, grill and shallow fry.
  • Checks and records the temperature of food items and takes into consideration the amount of time they have been in the danger zone. Takes temperature of prepared foods before service and records same.
  • In collaboration with the Divisional EDS Director, ensures inventory is rotated on a regular basis
  • Decides on the appropriate, creative, and efficient use of food to minimize wastage.
  • Prepares and sequences the timing of food and preparation of tasks
  • Records daily, monthly, and quarterly statistics for meal numbers and volunteer hours.
  • Schedules job-related training for volunteers as required.
• Maintain and keep in a state of readiness all vehicles and equipment assigned to the Emergency Disaster Services program.
• Assist in the development of a response strategy (preparation of EDS manuals and other relevant materials) that will reflect the different regions within the catchment area.
• May provide supervision and oversight to volunteers during a deployment when directed by the Incident Commander.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Develop an understanding of the Mission of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities
• Participate as an active and responsible team member
• Represent the organization in a professional and engaging manner and assist personnel whom the position supports in developing those skills as required
• Participate in supervision and regular performance reviews/evaluations as required.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations, safe food handling protocols, and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ensures high sanitation and cleanliness standards are maintained throughout the kitchen, eating area and food storage areas, including removing kitchen and dining area waste; wear the appropriate personal protective equipment; and ensuring proper lifting, twisting and reaching techniques in the performance of duties.
• May be required to ensure that the CRU and other related equipment (i.e. storage trailers, bunkhouse, refrigeration units) is secure and that safety standards are always met or exceeded.
• Ongoing training and certification in all Salvation Army Territorial EDS aspects is required.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training.

Administrative/Financial

• Provide input to annual EDS budget.
• Together with Divisional Director of EDS monitors EDS operating budget.
• Assists with the recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of EDS personnel
• Completes, maintains, and submits reports, forms, and statistics as per EDS standards

*NOTE: For some jobs, you may be required to provide validated educational documentation.

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college program of three academic years in disaster and emergency management or a related field
• An Undergraduate Degree will be considered as an asset.
• Successful completion of key National Disaster Training Program courses (Introduction to The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, Foundations of Emotional & Spiritual Care, Disaster Food Service and Canteen Operations, Incident Command System, Train the Trainer) or ability to complete within 12 months.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Valid Safe food handling
• Diploma or certificate in disaster and emergency management an asset.
• Three years of related experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ frontline experience in emergency planning and preparedness or other experience in frontline work with survivors of emergency or disaster situations.
• Proven emergency management skills (prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery).
• Excellent networking skills, with the ability to coordinate and supervise groups of volunteers across a wide geographic area would be a definite asset.
• Working knowledge of all Salvation Army emergency social services primary services programs, EDS programs and Salvation Army Social Service programs is an asset.
• Respect and understanding of The Salvation Army - its mission, culture, and values.

• Attention to detail, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful high-paced environments.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Attentive listening skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills.
• Strong organization and administrative skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

Successful candidates, prior to hiring, may be required to provide:

• Background check consent
• A clear vulnerable sector screening
• A clean drivers abstract
• Completion of our online Praesidium Abuse Prevention Training and required Health and Safety training

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

This position is temporary for approximately 12 months.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Internal Applicants, please advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.