Student Garden Assistant – Community Farm
Job Description
Start Me Up Niagara
Garden Assistant – Community Farm
REPORTS TO: Farm Manager
Position Summary:
The position offers the chance for students to directly apply their skills and make a difference improving food security to people living in poverty. Students will participate in the food production-distribution-consumption chain. Using knowledge in horticulture or agriculture, they will work with a team of employees, participants and volunteers to plan, plant, cultivate, and harvest produce from Start Me Up Niagara’s mini-farm plot. In addition, they will help process and distribute produce to the center’s kitchen/feeding programs or to people living in poverty seeking affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. Education in horticulture, farming/community garden procedures, and/or food security is required.
This position is funded through the Government of Canada Summer jobs program to be eligible to apply you must be between the ages of 15-30 and resuming post-secondary education in the Fall of 2022.
This position is a fixed term contract up to 10 weeks. Position will start mid May 2022. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm with an expected 30 hours of work per week. Rate of pay is $16.00 per hour. For 1 of 3 positions requested, we will be working at the Work Action Centre located at 203 Church St, St. Catharines and at the farm at the Vineland Research Centre
As part of the Farm team you will help SMUN meet its program objectives. This position has a variety of responsibilities.
Responsibilities:
• Support the Farm Manager in daily operations • Assist with crop planning • Help maintain farm with the help of staff and volunteers • Cooperate with community partners • Help with planning and implementation of weekly planting schedule • Insect and weed control, fertility monitoring and general field observation • Cultivation activities • Irrigation planning and implementation • Help harvest, market and deliver • Able to work in the field, outdoor classroom and office including hard repetitive physical work • Some evening or special event hours may be required • Current driver’s license and a clean driving record • Comfortable operating farm equipment • Good interpersonal skills
Qualifications:
• Experience working in a team environment with proven leadership skills • Demonstrated ability to work independently and with groups • Demonstrated good organizational and record keeping skills • Demonstrated farm experience and working knowledge of farm infrastructure
• Experience in growing using organic/biodynamic principles • Experience working with farm machinery • Basic carpentry skills • Demonstrated good communication skills • Ability to repeatedly lift 50 pounds • Self-motivated, cooperative and flexibl
Requirements:
• Education in or volunteering in a front-line capacity in a community setting
• Education in working with persons facing barriers especially as related to mental health, substance use, and trauma
• Excellent literacy in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Strong written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills in English
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and decision making under pressure
• Ability to work as a team and on your own with little supervision • Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check Program • Must be qualified to legally work in Canada • Must be returning to post-secondary education in the Fall of 2022 • Must be between the ages of 15-30 • Must be willing to comply with Covid-19 protocols which includes wearing masks and undergoing regular COVID-19 RAT testing
How to Apply
TO APPLY: please send your resume and cover letter to: hr@startmeupniagara.ca We thank all candidates for their interest in advance. Due to volume we will only be contacting those selected for an interview.830 total views, 1 today
