• Part-time – 30.4 hours per week (0.8 FTE), Ongoing
• Based in Benalla.
• $83,941.88 FTE per annum, plus super
• 17.5% annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options
• Progressive Workplace Flexibility options that enables genuine work life balance
  

Our values are: Honesty Trust Respect Concern Love

About Odyssey House Victoria:

Odyssey House Victoria (OHV) is a place of hope and positive change for individuals working towards breaking their pattern of addiction. At Odyssey House we believe that every person should have the opportunity to change and grow. Our diverse teams work with individuals, families, and communities to reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, improve mental health, and reconnect people to their family and the community. OHV is a dynamic and fast-growing organisation committed to excellence in service provision and innovation in responding to alcohol and other drugs use problems.

About our Therapeutic Community – Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker (CB) is one of three residential rehabilitation facilities operated by Odyssey House Victoria (OHV). In 2023 Circuit Breaker will increase to 35 beds in a OHV funded new purpose built facility with operational funding contributions from the Commonwealth and State Governments.

Using a therapeutic community model, the program offers a holistic treatment experience for those seeking help for problematic drug or alcohol use. To enhance individual motivation for change, the Therapeutic Community (TC) combines meaningful work and recreational activities, with therapeutic group work and skills development, in a physically and psychologically safe environment.

Role Purpose:

The key purpose of the position is to plan and direct food preparation and culinary activity and supporting and supervising the kitchen crew in line with operational and quality standards, ensuring menu choices are nutritional and healthy in meeting the needs of clients and staff.

As a member of the staff team the objective of this position is to make the kitchen and dining areas of the Circuit Breaker a well-run, welcoming and learning environment for all residents, staff and visitors.

The Chef is responsible for all aspects of food preparation and management and the delivery of quality catering services for the program, as well as providing informal training, support and mentoring to residents with regards confidence building in food handling, menu planning and meal preparation.

Key areas of focus:

• Plan and prepare weekly menu that can be delivered within program resources for all meals including weekends, public holidays etc.
• Oversee menu selection and design aimed at delivering nutritious meals to all members of the community.
• Assist and guide residents, overseeing all aspects of meal preparation and cooking with hands on support, direction and application.
• Coordinate meal delivery for special events at the TC including community events and formal functions.
• Develop and monitor the Food Safety Plan.
• Ensure timely order/replenishment of kitchen stores and products, and initiate appropriate action when encountering delivery/shortage problems.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Ensure all residents and staff complete the Food Safety and Knife Safety program before undertaking any food handling activity.
• Undertake informal training with residents and staff which may take the form of on the job demonstrations and guidance etc to more formal cooking classes.
• Assist residents in ways that build confidence in food handling and meal preparation.
• Support, mentor and coach the resident Kitchen Co-ordinator in their daily role.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislative and statutory requirements within the sphere of work (e.g. liaising with council to ensure compliance with all health regulations).
• Fulfil the duties of a First Aid Officer and perform first aid in the workplace, as compensated through a FAO allowance.
• Assist in the supervision and collection of urine samples from clients on a rostered basis.

A week in the role:

If you were here last week, you would have:

• Supported residents with menu planning and preparing meals.
• Completed the costing and ordering of food.
• Participated in staff meetings, conflict resolution groups and recreational activities.
• Enjoyed a delicious meal alongside residents and staff members.

Key Selection Criteria:

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Chef to ensure the kitchen and dining areas of our Circuit Breaker are well-run, welcoming and is also a learning environment for all residents, staff and visitors.

To be successful in this role, you must:

• Hold a qualification as a Chef in Cookery or Hospitality and at least 3 years’ experience working as a chef/cook.
• Hold a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
• Hold a First Aid Certificate
• Possess a current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
• Have good communication skills and experience in transferring/imparting knowledge for skills development with a proven ability to liaise, build and maintain relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders in the operations of Circuit Breaker e.g. suppliers, health inspectors etc.
• Have strong organisational skills and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, balance competing demands and prioritise work effectively.
• Have a well-developed capacity to continuously review and make responsive changes where needed to ensure a high standard of service delivery.
• Have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of OH&S practices in the workplace.

What we can give YOU!

In return we are committed to offering you an inclusive and transparent workplace culture where our people can develop to be their very best by:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Providing work that is meaningful and challenging, with career development opportunities through project and secondment opportunities and succession planning.
• Providing career pathways across diverse OHV programs.
• Access to 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP)
• Generous leave options such as 48/52 Purchase Leave, Study Leave and Sabbaticals

Application information

Please apply directly via our careers website (applications via external recruitment websites or via email will not be considered)

Applications should be addressed to Keir Larter and include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact Kier Larter - Assistant Manager, Circuit Breaker on, (03) 5766 6399 or at [email protected], using the subject line: Chef - Benalla enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis and suitable candidates will be shortlisted immediately. This role will close once a suitable candidate has been selected, so please don’t wait to apply!

Our commitment to diversity

At OHV we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, young people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening

OHV is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All OHV employees must undergo Police Records and Working with Children Checks. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with us.

Mandatory COVID vaccinations

In line with recent Victorian Government mandatory vaccination requirements for the health industry, and OHV's Mandatory Vaccination Policy, all Odyssey House Victoria staff are required to hold full vaccination status, and effective as of 1 March 2022 also have received the Booster Vaccination. Evidence of such vaccination status will be requested during the onboarding process and offers will be rescinded where such evidence cannot be provided.

All Odyssey House Victoria sites are smoke free for all employees.