PT Contract Community Garden Coordinator

Status: Summer contract (4months)  

Hours: 20-30 Hours per week

Salary: $17 per hour

Location: Nshwaasnangong Child Care and Family Centre, 449 Hill Street, London, Ontario

Posting Date: April 26, 2024

Deadline: May 10,2024

Come spend your summer in the sunshine!  

Nshwaasnangong is looking for a Community Garden Coordinator who can assist us in developing a traditional garden and using it to support the health and well-being of the community.

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency who has extended its services in the field of early learning and child care. Guided and supported by the Journey Together Indigenous planning committee, SOAHAC are the operators and licensee of Nshwaasnangong. Currently, we are seeking the services of an Community Garden Coordinator to join our staff team to work at our Nshwaasnangong Childcare and Family Centre Site.  

Nshwaasnangong is a place for Indigenous young children and families to honour, rekindle, and express their identities as Indigenous Peoples; where kindness and compassion helps everyone to have a sense of belonging; where we nurture our well-being, while living in sync with community and all creation; where we engage deeply with questions and possibilities.

We are looking for a Community Garden Coordinator for the development of the Indigenous garden at Nshwaasnangong.  The garden will be working closely with the Family Centre and will be available to people in and around the community and be a place where people can gather and learn.  The garden will include vegetable gardens, naturalized and medicinal gardens and provide an inviting, safe and nurturing place where people can increase health and well-being. Traditional teachings will be made available for people who are engaged in the garden and for others.  

Requirements

· Must love and have experience in organic gardening (through paid or volunteer work)

· Understanding of Indigenous cultural teachings and practices

· Experience working with volunteers and community members

· Physical dexterity and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Ability to take initiative, and work independently

· Excellent organizational and time management skills

· Ideally person of Indigenous heritage

· Food Handler Certificate and First Aid training an asset

· Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle an asset

· Ability to have a flexible work schedule

· Must have a current and satisfactory Criminal Reference check as a condition of employment

· Up-to-date immunizations and records

Responsibilities

· Garden maintenance including planting, seeding, cultivating, edging, weeding, trimming, pruning, raking, harvesting

· Maintenance of existing landscaping

· Development of garden space as needed

· Assist with organizing and facilitating activities in the garden

· Engage and support volunteers in garden

· Support maintaining garden records

· Organize garden planning meetings (develop agenda, invite participants, complete minutes)

· Promote the garden project with individuals and families, potential volunteers, and other members of the community

This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer; however, hiring preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants.  SOAHAC is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please advise Human Resources.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to careers@soahac.on.ca.