Hospitality Steward

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

We will accept applications by email at:

We believe that inclusivity requires a socially and culturally diverse workforce and actively seek to recruit candidates who are Indigenous persons, visible minorities, persons with disabilities and women. Help us to achieve this goal by identifying your employment equity group(s). Learn more at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government/self-declaring-because-we-care.html
Preference may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the Employment Equity groups.

Duties

A hospitality steward provides high-calibre hospitality service at the official residences of the governor general of Canada (Rideau Hall in Ottawa and the Citadelle of Québec) in support of the more than 200 official events that take place each year as part of the governor general’s program.

A hospitality steward provides food and beverage service, room service and valet service to VIP guests and dignitaries, as well as to people from all walks of life. The individual sets up rooms and tables for hospitality events, receives guests and attends to their needs, and maintains precious silverware and glassware related to hospitality service at each of the official residences. The individual also offers hospitality services to the viceregal family. The work is conducted in official residences that are of a heritage nature; events take place both inside the residence and outside on the grounds, in all seasons.

Work environment

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. Mistakes in hospitality could negatively impact the reputation of the Office and the country.

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.

Intent of the process

This process is intended to staff one (1) GS-FOS-05 indeterminate position.

Pools of fully qualified and partially-qualified candidates may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures within the OSGG. The pools will be valid for a period of 12 months with possibility of extension. Therefore, we strongly encourage students who successfully complete their degree program in the first semester of 2021 to apply.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (--B/--B)

Information on language requirements

EDUCATION
- Successful completion of a post-secondary hospitality / hotel program or other related area of study, 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 2 years' experience working in a high-quality hospitality service field for the GS-
FOS-04 position.
- A minimum of 3 years' experience working in a high-quality hospitality service field for the GS-
FOS-05 position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Recent* experience in the provision of high-quality hospitality services (e.g. receiving guests, valet services, dining room and room service, table setting).
- Experience in interacting with dignitaries and high-profile figures.

*Recent experience is defined as having been acquired within the last five (5) years.

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of the methods of high-calibre food and beverage service and hospitality service provision.
- Knowledge of Canadian food and wine, and of bartending.
- Knowledge of health and safety practices in the hospitality / hotel industry.
- Knowledge of the care and maintenance of precious silverware, glassware, china, etc.

ABILITIES
- Ability to provide high-quality hospitality service.
- Ability to communicate efficiently orally.
- Ability to multi-task and to establish priorities.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET - CERTIFICATIONS
- Red Seal Certification or equivalent certification.
- Successful completion of Smart Serve training, or equivalent training program.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group. Selection may be limited to members of these Employment Equity groups.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Conditions of employment

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 and ability to travel for up to three (3) weeks at a time, with little advanced notice (e.g., to the Citadelle in Québec).
- Must wear a uniform and anti-slip shoes.
- Must complete Certified Food Handler Training.
- Ability to perform physical tasks that may require bending, lifting a weight of up to 25 kg, stretching, climbing a step ladder.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Other information

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, a practical exam, reference checks, etc.

5. If an interview is administered, ONLY candidates who successfully pass the interview will be invited for a practical exam.

6. 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.

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

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, 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.