Job Description

POSITION

Cook (Full-Time and Part-Time Available)

START DATE

Flexible (November 2025 Preferred)

JOIN US

Food is medicine. At Split Rock Healing House, mealtimes are an important part of creating comfort, connection, and healing for Indigenous youth. We are seeking a Cook to help nourish our youth and staff with balanced, culturally grounded meals in a safe and welcoming kitchen environment.

ABOUT TSE LHTS'ENC'IL NEC'IGEKH BE YIKH (SPLIT ROCK HEALING HOUSE)

Located on Takiga Lake near Witset, BC, Tse Lhts'enc'il Nec'igekh Be Yikh (Split Rock Healing House) is a four-month, six-bed live-in program for Indigenous youth in northern BC. Rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, our program supports youth in connection with their families and communities, addressing healing across the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional dimensions.

Youth are supported by trauma-informed counsellors, social workers, Elders, knowledge keepers, and a dedicated wellness team. Families are welcomed into the process, and connections continue long after youth complete the program through mentorship, alumni activities, and community engagement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Cook plays a vital role in the daily life of Split Rock Healing House. This position is responsible for planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals that meet dietary needs and food safety standards, while also creating a kitchen space that feels like home.

Cooks work closely with the wellness and counselling teams to ensure mealtimes contribute to healing and community. In addition to cooking and kitchen management, the Cook may also engage with youth by facilitating simple life skills activities, such as meal preparation and cooking basics.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

All kitchen staff shall be responsible for:

Kitchen & Food Service

Plan menus on a 4-week cycle, based on Canada's Food Guide and Canada's Food Guide - First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. Prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks for youth and staff. Adapt menus for dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, allergies).Order and track groceries, working with approved vendors and local suppliers. Pick up food and supplies as needed, following expense reporting procedures.Ensure safe food storage, labeling, and rotation (FIFO system).Maintain daily food safety logs (meal records, temperature checks, kitchen equipment). Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary kitchen in line with FoodSafe and infection prevention standards.
Youth Engagement & Team Collaboration

Facilitate basic cooking and meal prep activities with youth to support life skills development. Model respectful, inclusive, and supportive interactions in the kitchen.Work with the wellness and counselling teams to align meals and mealtimes with youth healing needs.Participate in staff meetings and contribute to creating a welcoming, culturally grounded environment.
This position requires some flexibility, including occasional evenings, weekends, or adjusted hours within the standard 35-hour workweek.

QUALIFICATIONSRequired:

Valid FoodSafe certification. 2+ years' experience in cooking, food preparation, or kitchen management. Experience with menu planning and group cooking. Strong understanding of food safety and infection prevention. Ability to adapt menus for special diets and dietary restrictions. Strong communication and teamwork skills.Satisfactory Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check. Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License (or equivalent).
Assets:

Knowledge of traditional Indigenous food preparation and cooking. Experience working in community, healthcare, or camp-style cooking environments. Experience working with youth, particularly Indigenous youth. Familiarity with trauma-informed or culturally safe approaches.
EDUCATION

High school diploma required. Culinary training, certification, or related courses are an asset. Additional training related to nutrition, youth care, or community cooking is an asset.
WITSET FIRST NATION'S HIRING POLICY

Witset First Nation who operates Split Rock Healing House provides equal employment opportunities to all, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, political belief, creed, disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions or that cannot be accommodated, or conviction for which a pardon has been granted.

Should two or more applicants have comparable or equivalent skills and qualifications, preference will be given, in the following order, to:

persons with specific knowledge of and/ or experience with the Wet'suwet' en language, culture, history and customs; persons of Aboriginal, Metis or Inuit ancestry; and all others.
JOB PERKS

Competitive salary Comprehensive benefits package RRSP matching up to 5% Opportunity to engage in meaningful and challenging work within a healing environment, making a direct impact on Indigenous youth in BC
SALARY RANGE

$18-35/hour, commensurate with experience

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $18.00-$35.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental care Extended health care Life insurance Paid time off RRSP match
Application question(s):

Tell us about your cooking and menu planning experience. Do you have valid FoodSafe certification? How have you accommodated dietary needs or cooked for groups in the past? Do you have experience preparing traditional or culturally significant meals?
Work Location: In person