Job Description

Position Type:

Seasonal

Dates:

April 1 - November 28, 2025, with possibility of extension.

Hours of Work:

Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm including some evenings and weekends

Job Summary:

The FortWhyte Farms Operation Assistant supports the operations of FortWhyte Farms, an educational facility designed to grow youth, food and community. The Farm Assistant role helps raise and maintain the agricultural aspects of the farm while engaging and educating youth from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in sustainable agriculture, community development through hands-on learning.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Farm Operations (95%)



Under the direction of FortWhyte Farms Operations Manager, work as a team member or take a leadership role in undertaking the following tasks:


Horticulture: Assist with weeding, harvesting, seeding, transplanting, watering 2 acres of ecological gardens. Greenhouse: Perform needed tasks in the greenhouse, including seeding, watering, transplanting, fertilizing, pest management, pruning and other routine maintenance tasks. Pastured Livestock: Attend to daily needs and wellbeing of laying hens, broilers, rabbits and pigs including feeding and watering, moving pens or pasture location, cleanliness, fencing, shelters and transportation of livestock to abattoir Food Product Sales: Harvest, wash, package and display vegetables and/or value-added food items for sale at our weekly Market and CSA share pick-ups. The Operations Assistant will help with handling cash, inventory and sales. General Maintenance: Sweep, mop and tidy all facilities within Farm Headquarters, Garage, Barn, Greenhouse, Tool Sheds and outbuildings as per cleaning schedule Landscaping: Maintain appearance of building and grounds of FortWhyte Farms, including operating lawn mower and/or weed trimmer, watering outdoor plants and flower beds. Leadership & Mentorship of Youth Participants: In the course of performing job duties related to farm operations, the Operations Assistant will provide leadership, guidance and training to diverse youth. Act as a role model and mentor by providing feedback to youth interns while performing assigned agricultural tasks. Remove organic waste, garbage and recycling from buildings as needed.

Other FortWhyte Farms duties as assigned (5%)

Basic Hiring Criteria:

Experience in small scale farming (horticulture and/or pastured livestock) Initiative and proven problem-solving skills Physically fit and ability to work outdoors for long periods of time Valid Driver's License and access to transportation (FWA is 20-30 min walk from bus stop) Flexible work schedule Ability to work independently/self-directed, as well as in a team Demonstrated dedication and commitment to the work of FortWhyte Farms Demonstrated work ethic, motivation and leadership Class 4 Driver's License an asset, and will be required upon employment Child abuse registry check and criminal records check require upon hiring Tractor experience an asset Experience working with underserved and diverse youth Customer service an asset

FortWhyte Alive is devoted to developing a work environment and recruitment processes that are inclusive and barrier-free. Please let us know if an accommodation is needed at any stage of the recruitment process.

FortWhyte Alive is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment equity may be a factor in selection for this position. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous people, Black people, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+ people and people with disabilities.