Reporting to: Peterborough Community Garden Network Management Team, with day-to-day supervision by the staff liaison.
Working with: Will be working directly with the PCGN co-ordinator.
The PCGN seeks to build skills, capacity, and opportunities, facilitate resilience by highlighting existing strengths, supporting connections and inclusion in the gardens, while encouraging the development of vibrant gardens that can act as both working ecologically sound models and hubs for community building and increased food security.
The PCGN will achieve these goals by supporting and establishing innovative and self-sufficient community gardens throughout the City and County of Peterborough on school, church as well as public and/or private lands. These gardens will act as anchor points to explore and support increased individual, community and regional food security.
The PCGN will cultivate this process by engaging individuals as knowledge holders, champions and community garden animators; by engaging gardens and gardeners in creating new partnerships and connections and by establishing models of inspiration for the community at large. The network is seeking to foster a creative approach to address food security in stages. The network will support the capacity of individuals to produce and utilize healthy food. The network supports community gardens in establishing partnerships with food security initiatives on a community level and finally engage post secondary institutions in playing an active role in community food security.
Goal of Position:
To assist with and ensure the successful planning, delivery and evaluation of the PCGN’s kids and youth school-based community garden programs. The emphasis of this position is on providing research, development, implementation/facilitation, support and evaluation of school / community linked community garden programs in the Greater Peterborough area.
Responsibilities:
* Identify and facilitate establishment of diverse, innovative, and replicable garden sites on school properties.
* Identify and engage with a wide diversity of players and stakeholders in order to foster community connections, coordinate inclusion of wider community and ensure sustainability of school garden projects.
* Work with teachers, maintenance staff and management to build relationships within schools with established, growing, and potential garden sites.
* Connect school gardens with school and wider community food programs (breakfast clubs, celebrations, community food security organizations)
* Activity and events coordination including school and community outreach, in order to connect schools with potential community gardeners, volunteers & Champions; through meetings, workshops, celebrations, and garden based programming.
* Write and design innovative resources including public education materials, curriculum linked materials, workshops and support resources.
* Project research, development, monitoring and evaluation.
* Assist schools with the development and implementation of innovative and effective strategic planning and fundraising for school-based community gardens.
* Assisting PCGN coordinator as needed.
* Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
* Related post-secondary degree and/or minimum 2-year experience in delivering innovative garden, food and/or education programs.
* Education and/or familiarity with the Ontario elementary and secondary curriculum.
* Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
* Demonstrated ability to motivate, engage and /or facilitate diverse groups within the community, including children, youth, teachers, administration, parent groups and community members etc.
* Demonstrated presentation/workshop delivery skills to various audiences.
* Strong planning, organization and coordination skills.
* Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity, tact and good humour when dealing with the public.
* Ability to take initiative and work within the limitations of a non-profit environment and adapt to change and opportunity.
* Commitment to being a part of a team as well as ability to work independently.
* Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, demanding environment; ability to learn quickly.
* Innovative multimedia and/or video production skills an asset.
* A sound knowledge of desktop publishing, MS Office applications, knowledge of creating marketing and educational materials.
* Demonstrated commitment to the environment and community through previous work or volunteerism
* Up to date police records check is required.
* Valid drivers’ license and access to a vehicle when needed is required.
Position Details:
This is an 18 month contract position, with the potential for extension. Support for this position will be provided by the PCGN management team and PCGN co-ordinator. This is a 3 day/ 22.5 hour per week position at $15.50 per hour.
Submission deadline: Monday December 12th, 2011 at 12 noon
Submission Package Requirements
1.Cover letter
2.Statement of Interest highlighting relevant qualifications and skills
3.Resume
Submission packages can be submitted via email in Word or PDF format to:
Peterborough Green-Up
Attention: Laura Jack
Peterborough Community Garden Network Chairperson
pcgn@greenup.on.ca