Job Description

We are currently seeking the ideal candidate to fill the position of:

Urban Harvest Educator (Part-Time)

We are an 8-acre farm in the heart of the Jane and Finch neighbourhood in Toronto. We are a not-for-profit organization and leader in Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s dynamic urban agriculture and community food sector. At Black Creek Community Farm, we serve and enrich our community through a thriving farm, healthy food, and hands-on training and learning experiences. Our focus is to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice and supporting diverse natural and social ecosystems.

Main Tasks:
The Urban Harvest Educator will assist in the implementation and development of the Urban Harvest Toronto Program at Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF). The main tasks involve the canvassing of homes, collection of surplus fruits and vegetables grown by local residents and community gardens, and redistribution of surplus produce to local food banks. This position also includes supporting the cooking and food preservation workshops, demonstrations, and DIY workshops across the community, including Farm Education field trips at the farm. This position reports to the Urban Harvest Coordinator.
Note: If you do not have all the qualifications listed, but you think this job is perfect for you we would still love to see your application.

Duties include (but are not limited to):
Surplus Produce Collection

• Canvass door-to-door to the residential homes in the Black Creek neighbourhood and register local residents interested in participating in the surplus harvest program using surveys for the Urban Harvest program
• Assist residents with properly completing any surveys, forms, or questionnaires
• Do weekly follow-up calls on residents and community garden leaders for produce availability and pick-up arrangements
• Collect weekly fruits and vegetable surplus from the farm, residential homes, and community gardens in the neighbourhood using cargo bikes
• Weigh, sort, and pack collected produce in the cooler for redistribution
• Redistribute fruits and vegetables to food banks in the community using cargo bike

Supervision

• Recruit, work with, and supervise volunteers in canvassing, collecting, and redistributing surplus produce
• Supervise program participants, placement students/interns, and volunteers in relevant aspects of programming

Programming

• Implement, and contribute to the development of a land-based education curriculum for all ages that is rooted in food justice, urban agriculture, environmental stewardship, STEM topics, food preservation, and cooking programming
• Work collaboratively with the Programs Team and other BCCF staff to facilitate field trips, workshops, and events in person, on and off-site, and/or virtually
• Work with the Programs team and volunteers in the design, development, and maintenance of the teaching gardens and outdoor classroom spaces
• Collect seasonal fruits and vegetables and surplus produce from the teaching gardens for use in programming and/or redistribution to food banks.
• Maintain the cargo bike, all tools and equipment, and work spaces for the surplus produce program

Administration

• Keep accurate records of canvassed homes, registered participants to the program, and collected and redistributed weekly produce for metrics tracking and reporting
• Support purchasing of program materials and supplies, track expenses and receipts

Evaluation and Reporting

• Implement and contribute to the design of program evaluation tools
• Track program metrics and deliverables in Program Log
• Contribute to the preparation of monthly program updates, the annual report, and quarterly reports

Outreach

• Conduct and contribute to the design of outreach activities to register participants, including creating promotional material, canvassing, flyering, partnering with community organizations, and tabling at community events to engage community residents
• Create content for communication to be shared on weekly social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and monthly e-newsletters, and update the website as needed

General

• Adhere to Foodshare and, BCCF\xe2\x80\x99s policies and health and safety procedures
• Attend BCCF staff meetings and staff trainings, scheduled team meetings and check-ins
• Participate in farm-wide initiatives and events
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 1+ years experience running educational programs for children, youth, and adults in an outdoor setting
• Minimum 1+ year experience designing and adapting lesson plans, and facilitating workshops to serve the needs of various age groups and are culturally relevant
• Minimum 1+ year experience conducting outreach in community (registering participants, creating promotional materials, canvassing, flyering, tabling at community events)
• Minimum 1+ year experience supervising program participants and/or volunteers
• Experience or interest in farming, community engagement, environmental education and/or food justice are assets
• Experience living or working in the Black Creek/Jane-Finch neighbourhood, an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages, genders, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and individuals who experience marginalization
• Fluency in a second language relevant to the neighbourhood is an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated commitment to social change
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, follow through, and meet deadlines
• Food Handler\xe2\x80\x99s certificate and/or experience in cooking and food preservation is an asset
• Able to work flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends
• Familiarity and proficiency with G-Suite (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar,

Gmail), Canva and social media

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada

Job Requirements:

• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold)
• Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, working on your feet, reaching, and lifting up to 50lbs
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet
• Use of hand tools, mechanized equipment, kitchen tools, and equipment
• Weighing, sorting, packing, and storing produce in the cooler
• Use of cargo bicycles to transport produce within a 3-4 kilometer radius of Black Creek Community Farm

Salary: $22.08/hour (22 hours per week for 18 weeks)*
Benefits: Benefits begin at the time of employment. 6% vacation in pay + 20 paid Wellness or Sick Days (pro-rated based on hours worked), 1 paid birthday leave day, and extended health benefits up to $1,000 (prorated, based on contract length)
Contract Type: Part-Time Fixed Term
Duration: July 17 to November 17, 2023
Reports to: BCCF Urban Harvest Coordinator

Location: This position\'s main work location is Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St, with the ability to work from home with the supervisor\xe2\x80\x99s prior approval. The Urban Harvest Educator will travel to other sites occasionally to support mobile workshops and food redistribution efforts which will be discussed with the supervisor.

• Note that as part of FoodShare\xe2\x80\x99s commitment to equity, all staff gets equal pay for equal work. As a result salaries and benefits are non-negotiable.

If you do not meet all of the above criteria, but you do think this job is perfect for you we would still love to see your application.

TO APPLY: Please click \'Apply Now\' below to submit your resume/CV and cover letter to FoodShare\xe2\x80\x99s Human Resource Department by 9am Monday June 12, 2023

Please note that we may only be able to contact candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Selection Process:
1. The first step in the hiring process is for FoodShare\xe2\x80\x99s HR team to screen applications to determine which demonstrate meeting the posting\xe2\x80\x99s base qualifications. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/CV and cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 2 weeks from the application deadline.
2. The hiring committee will review the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which candidates to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
3. The hiring committee will conduct first-round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours in advance of their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome, but not expected or required, to send any questions they have for the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These interviews usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline. In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview, BCCF financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
4. The hiring committee may conduct a second round of interviews, which may include a pre-interview assignment, which would be compensated.
5. HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
6. HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement, which the candidate will have at least 1 week to review and return.

Please note:
BCCF is a member of FoodShare Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s Supportive Partnerships Platform - staff hired for this position will be employed by FoodShare Toronto, and their work location will be Black Creek Community Farm.
FoodShare is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status, or any other legally-protected factors.
You may require accommodation during the application process. If that\xe2\x80\x99s the case please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at hr@foodshare.net at your earliest convenience to let them know what type of accommodation you need.