Trent Vegetable Gardens Assistant Job Vacancy in Ontario, Canada

The Trent Vegetable Gardens employ organic, permaculture and heritage food
production methods, including Indigenous agricultural methods. The gardens seek
to reconnect students and community members with the source of their food by
providing opportunities for individuals to learn about ecological agriculture,
hands-on gardening skills and food system issues. These learning opportunities
take the form of workshops, tours, student research projects, service learning
placements and community “work bee” days, as well as volunteer programming and
student employment. The Trent Vegetable Gardens manages two campus gardens, one
of which is on the roof of the Trent University Environmental Sciences Complex
and the other is a half-acre field garden located north east of the DNA &
Health Sciences complex. We also manage a campus community garden offering
individual plots to community members wishing to grow their own food within a
supportive environment. Our produce primarily goes the Seaso ned Spoon cafe, as
well as various Peterborough community organizations, garden staff &
volunteers.

Garden Assistant Position:

The purpose of this position is to provide a hands-on opportunity for an
interested and committed individual to gain experience in ecological
agriculture and community food programming. The garden assistant will help the
garden coordinator in all aspects of the planting, maintenance, and harvesting
of the Trent Vegetable Gardens as well as distribution of produce to community
organizations. The assistant will work with the coordinator as a team in
ensuring the day-to-day healthy growth and prosperous future of the gardens.
Additional tasks performed by the Garden Assistant may include food preservation
and preparation, event planning and delivery, volunteer supervision and
supporting the management of community garden plots.

Responsibilities:
• Perform tasks as prioritized by the weekly garden plan
• Work in tandem with the Garden Coordinator to maintain the rooftop and field
gardens including soil preparation, seeding, transplanting, weeding, pest
control and harvesting
• Assist with coordination and distribution of produce to the Seasoned Spoon
Cafe and various community organizations
• Prepare and preserve harvested produce
• Assist with volunteer engagement and supervision
• Assist with the planning and delivery of workshops, events and garden tours
• Support the management of the campus community garden plots as needed
• Assist with communications, publicity and event promotions as needed
• Liaise with: Seasoned Spoon staff & summer processors, Community
Gardeners, Volunteers, Nourish Project, Trent Oxfam, The Trent Market Garden,
Trent Apiary and the general Trent and greater Peterborough community
• Take responsibility for tool care and storage
• Communicate promptly and effectively via phone and email
• Keep a work-log of all work completed and hours contributed
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely fashion
• Arrive at work aware of and prepared for varying weather conditions
• Help create a positive and safe working environment.

Qualifications:
• Strong interest in ecological agriculture methods and techniques
• Experience working in small to mid-scale garden or farm environments
• Experience working in physically demanding environments and adverse weather
conditions
• Knowledge and interest in the politics of food security/sovereignty and
sustainable agriculture
• Leadership experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with volunteers
• Experience with event planning, promotions and community outreach
• Good organizational skills, self-directed, punctual, and skilled at paying
attention to detail
• Access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s licence considered an asset

Supplementary Notes:
• This position is physically demanding and is best suited to someone who is
physically fit and able to lift objects weighing up to 60lbs.
• This position involves a lot of outdoor work. The garden assistant must
possess the ability and disposition to work outside in adverse weather
conditions when necessary.
• The garden assistant may be required to work outside of normal work hours
such as evenings, early mornings, and/or weekends.

Job Details:

Flexible hours based around the needs of the garden and garden programming. A
log of hours will be required, with a lieu hour system to be implemented. If
additional hours are required in one week it is advised to adjust the following week
if possible, if lieu hours are going to be accumulated beyond a single pay
period, this must be approved by the supervisor.
• Position contract will be 8 or 16 weeks depending on funding
• May thru end of August – 30 hours per week for a maximum of 480 hours during
the growing season at $12.50 per hour

NOTE: This Position is dependent upon funding

To be eligible applicants must be:
• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• have been registered as full-time students in the previous academic year and
intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee
protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
and,
• be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant
provincial/territorial legislation and regulations;
• all are encouraged to apply, however priority may be given to students of
Aboriginal background depending on qualifications.

Submission Package:
• Current Resume
• Letter of Introduction (max one page) describing specifically how your
education, skills and experience meet the qualifications and responsibilities
described above.
• All submissions must be emailed in PDF form to:

Trent Vegetable Garden Coordinator:
trentvegetablegardens@gmail.com

Submission deadline: April
14th at 4:00pm