Job Description

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Apply By: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Student - Kitchen Helper

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Job ID:

239278

Posting status:

Open

Organization:

Various Ministries

Division:

Various Divisions and Branches

City:

Simcoe, Whitney

Position(s) language:

English

Job term:

6 Temporary positions of varying contract length over the summer

Job code:

Student 1 - Student Level 1, Student 2 - Student Level 2

Salary:

$17.60 - $18.45 Per hour
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Are you a student or recent graduate looking for an opportunity to build your career over the summer? Are you passionate about making a difference?


The Summer Employment Opportunities program provides opportunities to obtain valuable work experience, gain transferable skills, and build professional networks.

LEARN:

Jump start your career, whether you want to learn business skills, use your French language skills, help out in a lab, or work outdoors. Put the knowledge you've acquired at school into action.

GROW:

Enhance your skills and expand your network by working on projects, leading initiatives and sharing your ideas. Transfer the skills you learn to your future school and work experiences.

CONTRIBUTE:

In addition to advancing your professional and personal skills, you will also give back to your community. Spend your summer working to support the interests of Ontarians!

Information to assist you with the application process is available on the Summer Employment Opportunities website (opens in a new tab).
This job posting represents multiple positions within different ministries and at various locations across Ontario. Certain cities may be located in distant or remote areas in Ontario and may not be accessible by public transit. Carefully review locations through Google Maps (opens in a new tab) and select ONLY those locations that you are able to travel to and work in. You can select up to 10 locations.


Notes:Relocation expenses and/or accommodations are not covered by ministries. The number of positions to be filled is approximate and subject to change. Please use your legal name when applying to the job ad. Summer placements are typically full-time (working 36.25hrs/week or 40 hrs/week). However some part-time placements MAY be available based on mutual agreement between the hiring manager and student, if operationally feasible. Please inquire at the interview stage.

About the job

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Work Description

Assist senior cook with day to day food preparation, serving, and cleaning for approximately 40 staff. E.g. basic food preparation, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, sweeping floors, washing dishes, recycling, unpacking deliveries. Prepare food list requirements and ensure supply orders are correct. Assist with ensuring food is properly cooked and distributed on time. Assist with offering alternative meals to individuals with special dietary needs. Maintain the cookery in a clean and orderly fashion. Assist with cooking and preparing foods appropriate to the program in accordance with Canada's Health Food Guide. Position requires lifting and carrying weighted items in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Workplace Health and Safety regulations.

What you bring to the team

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Mandatory requirements

You must meet

all

eligibility criteria by the first day of employment (contracts begin between May and July):

Student Status:

You must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester) OR you must have graduated within the past six months (for example, if you graduated in December, you can apply for and start a summer student position up until June of the following year).

Age:

You must be a minimum of 15 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.

Residency:

You must be a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.

Work Status:

You must be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) for the full duration of your summer employment.

Application:

Applications are only accepted online by clicking the "Apply Online" button. Your application should describe how you meet the knowledge and skill requirements outlined on this ad.
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Communication and Interpersonal Skills

You use your interpersonal communication skills to work collaboratively within a team environment and to deal tactfully with staff in a high volume food service environment You use your communication skill to listen, follow directions and seek clarification as required You use your organizational skills to perform work in an orderly and timely way
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Technical Skills and Knowledge

You use your knowledge of operations and maintenance of a kitchen and cookery to serve large groups of people You use your knowledge of safe food preparation and handling practices and techniques
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Analytical and Organizational Skills

You apply your organizational and time management skills to perform work in an orderly and timely way.
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Other Requirements

Ability to work in a Kitchen environment with some physical activity involved, including lifting and carrying weighted items in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Workplace Health and Safety regulations. Ability and comfort in operating small equipment. (e.g. dish washer and cleaning equipment) Ability to follow directions and seek clarification. Ability to be organized and punctual. Ability to work flexible hours and some weekends to provide and assist with the preparation of three (3) meals per day. You will be provided with training on the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
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Other student and recent graduate opportunities

See what other summer opportunities are currently available!




Also, check out all the other student and new recent graduate opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.

Don't meet every qualification?

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The SEO program is designed for students and recent graduates who are looking to kick-start their careers and gain practical work experience. If you're excited about this position but don't meet all the listed qualifications, please still consider applying.

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

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We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.



Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.



Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

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The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.




We offer:


a purpose-driven service culture with passionate professionals who contribute to our province a career that can grow across multiple job functions and program areas flexible learning opportunities, including professional development and mentorship programs employee networks to foster community and make connections employee-centric programs to support and empower equity-deserving groups a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

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Apply by:

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Compensation group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Work hours:

Schedule N/A , N/A

Category:

Maintenance and Trades

Posted on:

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Note:

About security checks:

A criminal or other federal offence record

does not automatically disqualify you

from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.

If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.

Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
Some positions advertised on this job ad are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and successful candidates will be required to pay monthly union dues, which are automatically deducted from your pay.


Other positions advertised on this job ad may be excluded from the OPSEU Collective Agreement (i.e. not represented by OPSEU), depending on the business area within the Ministry in which the work is performed. You will be advised during the recruitment process by the hiring manager of the business area.



You will receive a confirmation splash page verifying receipt of your application when it has been successfully received. You will only receive an email confirmation if you have entered your email address in the application. If you do not receive a confirmation splash page, it is likely that your application was not successfully received and it is recommended that you resubmit your application. If that still does not result in a confirmation, please contact SEO@ontario.ca during the posting period. We cannot provide assistance with submitting your application after the job ad deadline date.

How to apply:

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You must apply online and complete all the mandatory questions on the application form.

You must attach one document with your application. We recommend you attach a cover letter and resume to support the information you provide in your application. The cover letter and resume document you attach should not exceed five (5) pages combined.

If you require accommodation to apply, or to complete this application form, please contact us at SEO@ontario.ca.

Check out the Youth and New Professionals website to learn more about Summer Employment Opportunities.

Language requirements and assessment:

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matiere de langue et evaluation:

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichees en francais et en anglais. Consultez la section Langue du ou des postes en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaitre les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont evalues en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/francais), vous devrez egalement passer un test de competences linguistiques en francais.

Strengthening Ontario, together