Nutrition Cook- Casual - 10 hours

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) increases health equity by providing highly responsive, harm reduction -based HIV, hepatitis C, substance use, sexual health, mental health, and other community health services, and is informed by the voices of people with living experience. We envision a community where people can experience optimal health and wellness, and be free from stigma, marginalization, and criminalization. For more information see www.avi.org

The Positive Wellness Program provides care and support to people living with HIV and HCV in a variety of settings, including through the provision of a bi-weekly drop-in lunch program. With a low-barrier and harm reduction approach, the program provides support and advocacy to individuals as they navigate health care services and other social service systems.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Positive Wellness Program Nutrition Cook is responsible for the planning and preparation of balanced, nutritious meals for (around 50) people living with HIV and/or hepatitis C. The PWP Nutrition Cook creates monthly menu plans that meet the specific dietary/nutritional needs of program participants, completes food ordering within a budget, and prepares meals for the bi-weekly drop-in lunch program. They are responsible for ensuring FoodSafe protocols and documentation are followed within the program. The PWP Nutrition Cook contributes to a welcoming and non-judgmental environment within the program, engages with participants to establish and maintain positive relationships, and supports with de-escalation when needed.

This position relies on the worker’s ability to plan and prepare in a self-directed environment while also working collaboratively with a team during meal services.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Plans, prepares, and cooks nutritious, hot meals for people with complex health and wellness needs.
- Maintains a clean and safe workspace in-line with FoodSafe and Island Health protocols at all times, including kitchen and food storage areas.
- Completes administrative tasks including menu planning, food ordering, and the maintenance of relevant records.
- Greets and engages program participants in a welcoming, non-judgemental manner to build and maintain relationships.
- Uses brief assessment, active listening, and crisis response skills to provide support to participants and to contribute to de-escalation.
- Maintains the safety of all program spaces while supporting participant dignity by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose response).
- Attends regularly scheduled team meetings, 1-on-1 check-ins, and ongoing job trainings
- Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of 2 years experience that includes the following:

Preparing and cooking nutritious food for 50 people or more while following FoodSafe procedures for cleanup, preparation, recordkeeping, and food storage.

Creating menu plans that meet a variety of nutritional needs and ordering required ingredients within a budget.

Working within a healthcare or social service context.

Developing and maintaining relationships with program participants, volunteers, and coworkers.

Education and Training:

FoodSafe Level 1.

First Aid training with CPR-C.

Operating commercial kitchen equipment

Demonstrated understanding of the specific nutritional needs of people living with HIV/HCV and ability to meet these needs through menu planning.

Working knowledge of issues and resources related to harm reduction/health promotion, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty, mental health, and substance use.

Training or experience in a non-violent and anti-oppressive approach to de-escalation and crisis intervention.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to receive feedback from supervisors and integrate into goal setting and future practice.

Capacity to work in a highly self-directed environment and respond to community needs and problem solve with flexibility, creativity, and assertiveness.

Demonstrated ability to contribute to a supportive team environment, including excellent communication, self-reflection, and conflict-resolution skills.

Ability to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma-informed and decolonial lens.

POSITION DETAILS:

- Pay: $31.98/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU paygrid 30)
- Hours and Schedule: 10 hours per week. Monday and Wednesday 8:30am to 1:30pm
- Term: October 12, 2026, and offered ongoing dependent on funding.
- Location: AVI Victoria Office and in community as needed
- Number of Available positions: 1
- Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2025-2028 and this role is a BCGEU union position.
- Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account. If you are not already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan, part time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
- Other Perks: This position gets paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation 5% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 10% higher than listed.
- Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

TO APPLY:

Click on ‘ To Apply’ and submit your Resume and cover letter (optional) by October 9, 2026 5:00pm.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and/or have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.