Prep Cook

Prep Cook

Regular

Internal Only

Posting Date: July 16, 2026

Closing Date: July 31, 2026

Posting # 2026050

Hours

37.5 hours a week
Seasonal Dates September to June

Salary

Wage range $26.32- $27.63 an hour, depending on the employee's years of service at St. Margaret's School (SMS).

This is a bargaining unit position, in the Professional Employees Association.

All candidates must be legally able to work in Canada.

Summary

St. Margaret’s School (SMS) is Western Canada’s only girl-centered, independent day and boarding school located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the unceded traditional territories of the Esquimalt Nations, Songhees Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Founded in 1908, SMS is an international centre for girl-centered learning and leadership development, providing empowering education for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (boarding grades 7–12). St. Margaret’s School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School offering the Diploma Programme, and we are a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

You will also oversee the Food Services Assistant’s preparation of foods in accordance with generally prescribed standards and have considerable independence in actual food preparation, yet also work as part of a unit to ensure the food served at each meal is balanced nutritionally, flavours are unified, and that each meal prepared meets the correct amount needed for each meal serving. 

Core Competencies

• Integrity & Trust
• Communication & Collaboration
• Service Orientation
• Adaptability
• Innovation
• Resilience
• Interpersonal Savvy
  
  
  

Duties and Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Production

• Prepares ingredients such as washing, chopping, peeling, portioning, and labeling according to standardized recipes and prep sheets.
• Assists Cooks with components of entrées, soups, sauces, salads, baked goods, and catering items.
• Assembles simple menu items independently under supervision.
• Follows production records, par sheets, and portion guidelines accurately.

Cooking & Equipment Use

• Operates basic equipment safely: mixers, slicers, choppers, ovens, warmers, and steamers.
• Performs preliminary cooking tasks (e.g., baking simple items, blanching, basic grilling) as directed.
• Ensures proper measurement, scaling, and portion control.

Food Safety, Storage & Quality Control

• Practices proper food handling, sanitation, and storage procedures.
• Labels, dates, rotates, and organizes ingredients using FIFO principles.
• Records and monitors food and equipment temperatures as required.
• Supports allergy-aware practices and dietary needs.

Service Support

• Assists with replenishing and refreshing serving lines to keep service flowing.
• Provides courteous and professional customer service when assisting during meal periods.
• Anticipates needs on the line and helps prevent bottlenecks.

Cleaning & Maintenance

• Performs routine cleaning of workstations, utensils, equipment, and prep areas.
• Assists with dishwashing during peak times to ensure adequate dish and utensil availability.
• Reports equipment malfunctions or product shortages to supervisors promptly.

Collaboration & Communication

• Communicates concerns, shortages, or safety issues to Cooks or the Food Service Director.
• Works cooperatively with Cooks and Food Service Assistants.
• Assists in training new team members in prep tasks.

Compliance & Safety

• Follows all workplace safety protocols, organizational policies, and allergy-prevention guidelines.
• Participates in sustainability and waste-reduction initiatives.

Other Duties

• Supports catering and special school events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum Food Safe 1 Certificate required
• Completion of Chef’s certification or Cook’s training level 2
• Minimum 2 years’ demonstrated experience in a Prep Cook position
  
  

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong basic to intermediate knife skills and solid understanding of kitchen tools, utensils, and equipment.
• Ability to read and write in English, perform simple math, and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Understanding of recipes, preparation methods, and variations that support taste, quality, and presentation.
• Knowledge of standard kitchen operational procedures and food safety practices.
• Effective decision-making skills with attention to detail, quality, and consistency.
• Professional communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive and upbeat attitude.
• Ability to take direction, accept constructive feedback, and work independently or collaboratively as part of a team.
• Capability to exercise judgment in determining appropriate quantities and quality of prepared food.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift and transport kitchen equipment and wares, and perform repetitive motions.
• Manual dexterity required for operating kitchen tools, equipment, and machinery safely.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with staff, faculty, and students.
• Demonstrates professionalism and serves as a positive role model for the St. Margaret’s community.
• Actively supports and upholds the vision, mission, and values of the school.
• Flexibility to work morning, afternoon, and weekend shifts as scheduled.

Work Conditions

• Work performed in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Exposure to heat, steam, and kitchen equipment.
• Fast-paced, high-volume meal production.
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and lifting.
• Must be able to properly lift and carry objects weighing 20 pounds or less, frequently; 35 pounds or less, occasionally; and 50 pounds or more, rarely; with the highest point of any lift being overhead and the lowest point of any lift being the floor
• Must be able to sit, stand or walk four hours continuously, up to eight hours per day, and able to remain on feet for entire shift.
• Repetitive movements while performing duties including the ability to bend, reach, chop, lift, and push/pull objects with moderate effort occasionally.

• Ability to work in warm and noisy environments.

Valued Benefits
A career with St. Margaret’s School will offer you the opportunity to be part of dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding educational environment. This position is located on the school campus, with access to rapid transit, on-site gym, and other amenities. 

St. Margaret's School emphasizes a dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion across living, learning, and work environments. The school aims to have its workforce mirror the diversity of students and the community. Actively encouraging applications from groups facing historical or current equity barriers, the institution is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Employees needing employment support, technical aids, or accommodations, are encouraged to contact Human Resources careers@stmarg.ca.

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package, including a covering letter, curriculum vitae and professional references, through Bamboo HR.

Questions email careers@stmarg.ca