When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!
Description
The North York Harvest Food Bank is the second-largest food bank in Toronto, distributing more than 1.4 million pounds of food last year through 60 neighbourhood programs. An independent, charitable organization, it envisions a community where all members are able to meet their food needs. In 2009, more than 160,000 food hampers were provided to people living in northern Toronto, an area bounded by Hwy. 27, Steeles Avenue, Victoria Park Avenue, and St. Clair Avenue/Eglinton Avenue.
Position Overview:
The Garden Coordinator will be responsible for supporting 5 to 7 gardens in partnership with our member agencies. The work will involve planning and designing gardens in consultation with partner agencies, working closely with community members, and making connections between the gardens and the food bank programs that they support. The Garden Coordinator reports to the Senior Manager, Community Engagement.
Responsibilities:
- Develop garden infrastructure within communities that are food insecure with a focus on small plot intensive cultivation techniques
- Work closely with participating member agencies
- Coordinate acquisition of garden materials (e.g. soil, compost, seeds, seedlings, equipment)
- Work within a budget and facilitate donations of needed materials whenever possible
- Plant seeds and seedlings
- Cultivate leadership and gardening skills among food bank service users
- Recruit and support volunteers across garden sites
- Engage the broader community in environmental and food issues by coordinating educational workshops and end of season harvest festivals
- Implement a suitable evaluation framework for these activities
- Liaise with other stakeholders including broader garden networks
- Winterize gardens at end of season
- Conduct the above activities in a way that reinforces self-sustainability for future years
- Other duties as required
Qualifications:
- Experience with farming or gardening and understanding of organic principles and practices
- Familiarity with composting techniques
- Knowledge of issues regarding hunger and poverty ideal
- Experience working in low-income, diverse communities
- Experience working with volunteers
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Must be physically fit and enjoy working outdoors
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as required
- Computer literacy in common office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Compensation: The contract is 30hrs/week for 24 weeks at $15/hr.
To Apply:
Application Deadline: April 14, 2010. Start Date: May 3, 2010 or sooner. Please email resume and cover letter. North York Harvest Food Bank is committed to employment equity and encourages applicants from equity seeking groups. Only those selected for consideration will be contacted.