Job Description

Job Title: Dietary/Environmental Services Assistant

Position: Full-Time

Location: Springhill, NS

JOB SUMMARY:

The Dietary/Environmental Services Assistant provides operational and hands-on support across dietary, environmental services, and housekeeping functions. This hybrid role ensures continuity of essential services, oversees supply ordering and inventory management, monitors food safety and equipment, and supports infection prevention, safety compliance, and readiness for inspections. The position backfills in both dietary and environmental services as needed and plays a key role in ensuring quality care and a safe, clean, resident-centered environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education:

Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent required.

Completion of a recognized Food Handler Certification course within the past 3 years.

Advanced Food Safety Training or Food Handler Level 2 (e.g., TrainCan Advanced, NSF Advanced, or equivalent) is considered a strong asset and may be required within 6 months of hire.

Completion of a WHMIS and/or Occupational Health & Safety course or willingness to obtain upon hire.

2. Experience:

Minimum of 2 years' experience in institutional food services or environmental services, ideally in long-term care, hospital, or congregate settings.

Experience in supply ordering, inventory management, and basic budgeting preferred.

Previous experience in staff scheduling or coverage planning is considered an asset.

3. Skills & Knowledge:

Knowledge of Canada's Food Guide, provincial food safety regulations, IPAC standards, and cleaning protocols in healthcare.

Familiarity with temperature monitoring practices, corrective actions, and safe food storage standards.

Understanding of laundry and housekeeping standards as they relate to infection prevention and resident safety.

4. Computer Skills:

Proficient with computers and capable of learning various digital systems used for:

Ordering and inventory tracking (e.g., grocery vendors, equipment/supply software)

Staff scheduling systems

Incident reporting and audit tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Ability to document and retrieve information accurately using shared digital folders and forms.

5. Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Able to document temperature logs, audits, and corrective actions clearly.

Ability to train and guide others respectfully in safe food handling and cleaning practices.

Professional and respectful demeanor when interacting with residents, team members, and inspectors.

6. Other Requirements:

Physically capable of lifting, standing, and performing repetitive tasks.

Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, and ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Willingness to complete additional training or certifications as required by the facility or licensing body.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Service Continuity & Backfill Support

Provide active coverage for

Dietary Aide

and

Environmental Services Worker

roles during absences, leaves, or as scheduled. Ensure tasks are completed safely, respectfully, and in accordance with facility standards, dietary restrictions, and resident preferences. Support housekeeping and laundry teams with infection prevention and control (IPAC) aligned practices.

2. Inventory, Ordering & Supplies Management

Manage dietary and cleaning supply inventories, including maintaining

par levels

, forecasting needs, and tracking usage trends. Place accurate and timely food and supply orders in collaboration with the

Food Services Manager

. Receive, verify, and rotate stock, ensuring storage conditions meet

Canada Food Safety Guidelines

. Monitor expiry dates and report discrepancies or shortages using internal audit tools. Maintain a clean, organized, and clearly labeled storage area for both dietary and cleaning supplies.

3. Equipment & Temperature Monitoring

Conduct, document, and respond to

daily temperature checks

of refrigerators and freezers in dietary and resident nutrition storage areas. Discard food items when unsafe and report deviations to the

Food Services Manager

and

Head of Maintenance

. Assist with troubleshooting refrigeration and freezer equipment; escalate unresolved issues and log corrective actions.

4. Operational Scheduling & Readiness

Ensure updated staffing plans are accessible to frontline staff and leadership, including daily coverage and contingency resources. Assist in preparing for

licensing, accreditation, fire safety, and IPAC audits

, including environmental walkthroughs and kitchen inspections. Participate in joint work planning with the

Head of Maintenance

, including seasonal tasks and special projects.

5. Training, Quality & Compliance

Train new staff or casuals on proper kitchen, laundry, and cleaning procedures, aligned with IPAC, WHMIS, and facility standards. Reinforce safe work practices and compliance with internal policies, including the

Food Services Inventory Policy

and

NS Food Establishment Regulations

. Assist in maintaining schedules, checklists, and departmental logs for quality assurance.

6. Collaboration & Resident-Centered Focus

Support resident nutrition by responding to preferences, portion adjustments, and texture/diet modifications as directed by the clinical team. Collaborate with

nursing

,

dietary

, and

leadership

teams on concerns related to food, cleanliness, or safety. Ensure all interactions with residents and their environments are trauma-informed, respectful, and person-centered.

7. Additional Duties

Attend required staff meetings, in-services, and emergency preparedness drills. Document incidents, deviations, and process improvements using internal systems. Perform other duties as assigned by the

Director of Operations

to ensure seamless support and care delivery.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care On-site parking Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:

Springhill, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Food Handler Certification (required) WHMIS Certification (required)
Work Location: In person