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The Pantry and Housekeeping Manager (GS-FOS-09) is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all pantry, beverage, and housekeeping operations at the official residences of the Governor General of Canada — Rideau Hall in Ottawa and the Citadelle of Québec. This includes supporting more than 200 official events annually, such as state dinners, diplomatic receptions, ceremonies, and private functions.
The incumbent leads and supervises hospitality and housekeeping services, including staff scheduling, training, and the work of permanent and temporary employees. They ensure services are delivered to the highest standards of quality, safety, hygiene, and cost-effectiveness.
Working closely with the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG), the National Capital Commission (NCC), and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the manager evaluates event needs, including guest requirements, cultural considerations, and wine pairings. They coordinate service operations, oversee resource planning, budgeting, inventory, and process improvements, and provide cost and performance reports.
The manager also consults with management on service preferences and the promotion of Canadian products, recruits and supervises temporary staff, and oversees the transfer of supplies and personnel between residences to ensure seamless, high-calibre service delivery.
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) supports the governor general in fulfilling the constitutional, State and ceremonial responsibilities of the role.
The OSGG is also responsible for planning and implementing the governor general’s program and the many activities undertaken with, and on behalf of, Canadians in communities across the country and abroad. These activities serve to recognize outstanding achievement and the pursuit of excellence by Canadians, and to foster national identity, unity and pride.
The Household Services Directorate of the OSGG provides high-calibre hospitality and household services at both official residences.
The directorate provides service 365 days a year. Given the VIP nature of the clientele and the high calibre nature of the official events, service standards are extremely high and the tolerance for error is extremely low.
Given the hours of service, employees are often called upon to work alone or with minimum supervision. In the execution of their normal duties, employees are called upon to alter and adapt plans at a moment’s notice, and to make decisions on their own regarding the service to be provided. Regardless of level or position, employees in the directorate may be called upon to transmit important information to their colleagues and supervisors to ensure consistency and continuity of service between shifts.
Because of the nature and varying hours of their work, all employees are trained in first aid and CPR, and are expected to act as first responders if the situation arises.
This process is intended to staff one (1) GS-FOS-09 indeterminate position at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG). Additionally, a pool of fully qualified candidates will be established that may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures within the OSGG and will remain valid for 36 months (3 years).
Positions to be filled: 1
Your résumé.
A covering letter "Note: Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter how they meet the Education and Experience criteria (see below)."
EDUCATION
Successful completion of a post-secondary hospitality and tourism program or an acceptable combination* of education and relevant experience.
*An acceptable combination of education and relevant experience is defined as follows:
- A secondary school diploma; and
- A minimum of three (3) years' experience working in a high-quality hospitality service field.
EXPERIENCE
EX1. Significant* and recent** experience in planning, supervising and controlling the delivery of hospitality service operations.
EX2. Significant* experience in supervising staff or temporary personnel.
EX3. Experience in executing a range of high-end hospitality services.
EX4. Experience in interacting with dignitaries and high-profile figures.
DEFINITION:
*” Significant” refers to the depth and breadth of experience associated with the performance of a broad range of related activities which were the candidate’s primary work responsibilities. It will be assessed on the basis of the scope, complexity and the diversity of the work performed.
**” Recent” experience is defined as having been acquired within the last five (5) years.
KNOWLEDGE
K1. Knowledge of cuisine, wine and wine pairing.
K2. Knowledge of hospitality-related health and safety regulations.
ABILITIES
A1. Ability to manage human and financial resources.
A2. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative work relationships.
A3. Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines under pressure.
A4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
PERSONAL SUITABILITIES
Discretion
Client Service Orientation
Sound judgment
Attention to detail
Initiative
Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)
Information on language requirements
CERTIFICATION
Successful completion of Smart Serve training.
Successful completion of a sommelier programme.
Red Seal Certification or equivalent certification.
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of Canadian Food and wine.
Secret security clearance
OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice.
Willingness and ability to work irregular shifts, including working evenings, weekends and statutory holidays.
Willingness to wear a uniform and anti-slip shoes.
Willingness and ability to travel up to three (3) weeks with little advanced notice (ie. La Citadelle, Québec City).
Willingness and ability to obtain Certified Food Handler Training.
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Information on employment equity
1. Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent.
2. Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred language in their application.
3. For this selection process, the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General will communicate with candidates by email. Applicants must include in their application a valid email address that is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users as some email systems block certain types of email.
4. Various assessment tools may be used in this selection process, such as an interview, an exam, reference checks, etc.
5. Please note that candidates (including employees of the public service) will not be considered to be in travel status or on government business, and that travel costs will not be reimbursed. Consequently, candidates will be responsible for travel costs. Interviews can be administered by videoconference.
6. Second language evaluation (SLE) Oral Language Assessment: Candidates who do not already have a valid result or who have an expired result at the B level or higher on the Public Service Commission's Second Language Evaluation will be invited to take the Public Service Commission Oral Language Assessment. For more information, please refer to this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service/oral-language-assessment-sle/about-the-test.html.
7. A security check will be administered and proof of citizenship, education and at least two (2) work references with names and applicable phone numbers will be required. The security check will include a credit check and fingerprinting. Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain the Conditions of Employment throughout their employment.
Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.
Information on the preference to veterans
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.