Community Kitchen Facilitator - Rice Block

Requisition Number: COMMU002296
Type: Internal & External candidates- Part-time (Indeterminate)
Hours of Work: 24 hours per week (Friday through Sunday 9:30 am till 6 pm)
Compensation: $25.55/hr. (wage grid#9)
Program & Location: Rice Block Housing- Downtown East Side Vancouver
Union: BC Government Employee’s Union (BCGEU) - This position requires union membership
Deadline: By noon, May 22, 2026

About Us:

Atira Women’s Resource Society (Atira) is a non-profit organization known for inclusionary hiring practices, values-driven work, and innovative approaches to supporting communities it serves. Rooted in feminist, anti-violence principles, Atira provides housing, programs, and supports for people of all genders, with a continued focus on addressing gendered violence, misogyny, and systemic oppression. Atira believes a job is more than a paycheque – it’s an opportunity to contribute to meaningful systemic and social change.

About the Job:
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Community Kitchen Facilitator, will develop, facilitate and implement a Community Kitchen Program that supports & encourages the women to actively attend and participate. The Community Kitchen Facilitator will ensure the kitchen has all necessary supplies, will maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen that meets all health & safety guidelines, provide meals independently for 30+ women when required, and will have strong budgeting and organizational skills to effectively maintain weekly menus and food supply orders while working within the constraints the women themselves experience (i.e. limited food budgets, lack of access to transportation, lack of proper equipment etc.). In addition, the role will include facilitating community garden projects, providing support & supervision to kitchen volunteers, coordinating and distributing Food Bank orders, and will continue to provide support to the women by taking referrals and completing intake, crisis prevention, intervention & conflict, teaching basic cooking skills, provide women with one-to-one support and advocacy, assists women moving in and moving out, cleans and prepares rooms for new residents when needed, keeps accurate records, files, log notes and statistical information as per practices/policy and maintains the safety and security of the building. As the Community Kitchen Facilitator, it is expected that you work celebratorily with the women that live at the program regarding meal options. It is important that you foster and build a community at the program about food security.  The Rice Block is not a soup kitchen; rather, the program is fluid in providing meals according to the women’s needs and practices.

Please note: This program serves individuals who identify and live full time as women, including those who have experienced gender based violence and misogyny.

To ensure a safe, accessible, trauma informed, and culturally responsive environment for residents, this position requires staff who identify and live full time as women. The presence of women staff is essential to meeting residents’ needs related to safety, dignity, privacy, and effective support.

Applicants must identify and live full time as women (including cisgender, transgender, Two Spirit, intersex women) or non-binary to be eligible for this position.

This requirement is consistent with established best practices under human rights laws for providing services to vulnerable groups and reflects our commitment to providing community based, gender responsive service delivery and supports the development of trust, safety, and meaningful engagement between (residents/tenants/ participants) and staff.

About You:

You are aligned with Atira’s mission, vision, values, and philosophy and bring a strong commitment to anti-oppression and intersectional practice. You understand the impacts of colonialism, especially in Canada, including the legacy of the residential school system, and you approach your work with cultural humility and respect.

 

You are comfortable working in a harm reduction environment and supporting people who may be experiencing substance use and/or mental wellness challenges. You support those who choose abstinence while recognizing abstinence is just one option among many.  You are inclusive and affirming of people of all genders, including transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex, transfeminine and non-binary individuals, and understand the realities of gendered violence, misogyny, systemic barriers and how these harms disproportionately impact women. You are sex worker positive – you understand sex work, including survival sex work, as part of a broader social, economic, and gendered context and bring an approach grounded in respect, autonomy, and dignity.

 

You treat others with fairness and respect, challenge practices that conflict with shared values, and contribute to a supportive, accountable team environment. You inspire others through your commitment to anti-violence and promoting equity, prioritize the needs of the communities we serve, and challenge the status quo to improve quality and sustainability. You take smart risks and make thoughtful, timely decisions.

 

Lived experience and connection to the community served are assets. Atira encourages applications from individuals whose lived experience reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

 

Programs specifically serving First Nations, Métis, and Inuk women and children, hiring preference will be given to First Nations, Métis, and Inuk women.

Additional Requisites/Assets:
Grade 10, plus graduation from a cooking program
One (1) year recent related experience, cooking nutritious foods for large group
Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
A valid First Aid Certificate is required
Food Safe Certificate is required
WHMIS Certificate is required
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certificate is required (Atira to provide within 3 months of employment
Covid-19 (Including Booster) and annual flu vaccinations are recommended
All positions are subject to a Criminal Records Review (Submitted by Atira)

At Atira, we value diverse experiences and recognize that some applicants may face barriers to obtaining required certifications. If you are passionate about this role, meet the other qualifications, and believe you have the necessary skills and experience but do not currently hold a valid First Aid certificate, we encourage you to contact us you can contact us at People & Culture Recruitment. Atira is committed to being an inclusive employer and may be able to connect you with resources to support you in meeting this requirement.

Application Process:
Provide a cover letter with a current resume describing how you meet or exceed the above-noted qualifications. Resumes with a Cover Letter unique to Atira are guaranteed a review. Candidates who lack the experience and qualifications set out in the posting may not be considered, although an exceptional cover letter and transferable skills may overcome lack of experience for some positions. Please go to atira.bc.ca/careers for a current list of postings.