CSJ Community Garden & Compost Assistant

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

Community Garden & Compost Assistant

At FoodShare we advocate for food justice by supporting community-based food initiatives and through ongoing advocacy and public education. Our vision is a Toronto where all people can feed themselves their loved ones and their communities with dignity and joy. We operate on a people-first model that values fair compensation policies that respect a work/life balance and the contributions of our team members at all levels.

Overview

The Compost & Garden Assistants play a key role in supporting FoodShare Torontos Mid-Scale Compost and Vermicompost operations at FoodShares headquarters and Sunshine Garden. These systems transform food scraps from our Good Food Program kitchen and cafeteria into nutrient-rich compost that nourishes community and school gardens across the city.

In this role you will help maintain compost systems support the Sunshine Garden program at CAMH and assist with community education by facilitating workshops on composting worm care and gardening. You will also help animate and support up to 50 community compost initiatives throughout Toronto strengthening local food systems promoting environmental sustainability and supporting the Sunshine Garden production system.

This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs Program and requires that the applicant:

• Be between 15-30 years of age (inclusive)
• Be a Canadian Citizen permanent resident or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Compost System Maintenance: Support the on-site mid-scale compost system in collaboration with the Compost Educator including emptying green bins layering and turning compost sifting finished material and preparing new bins.
• Sunshine Garden Maintenance: Assist with garden care at Sunshine Garden including preparing garden beds seeding weeding watering and harvesting produce.
• Sunshine Garden Market Logistics: Help with all aspects of farmers market operations including setup and takedown inventory supply customer engagement and volunteer support.
• Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate records of compost inputs outputs and related data.
• Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with volunteers Focus on Youth participants and interns to complete daily composting and gardening tasks.
• Community Compost Programs: Support the facilitation of community compost programs and the Community Compost Exchange at BCI Farm and Flemo Farm as needed.
• Community Food Growing Projects: Assist with other FoodShare growing initiatives such as School Grown Flemo Farm and garden installations.
• Event Support: Contribute to the planning and delivery of community events including the Annual Plant Giveaway Lets Get Growing Wormshares and Toronto Compost Leader workshops.
• Community Programs: Support and assist other community food-growing initiatives at BCI Farm and Flemo.
• Organizational Participation: Attend FoodShare staff meetings team training and complete administrative tasks such as timesheets and reporting requirements.
• Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned to support the success of the program.

Required Qualifications Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 1 year of experience managing a compost system in small-scale or backyard gardening settings
• Minimum 1 year of experience in gardening food growing or plant care
• Strong understanding of food systems particularly composting and sustainable growing practices
• Community Involvement: Demonstrated interest in community-led food projects urban agriculture or neighbourhood-based organizing.
• Equity & Food Justice: Proven commitment to the principles of food justice equity and inclusion.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and as part of a diverse team engaging people of different ages abilities and cultural backgrounds.
• Facilitation & Leadership: Strong facilitation skills with the ability to lead diverse groups think on your feet and creatively problem-solve during workshops tours or activities.
• Communication & Organization: Excellent verbal communication organizational and time management skills.
• A valid G Drivers License is considered an asset.

Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
• This position is required to work from the Farm at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute based at 500 the East Mall with some in-person meetings at the main FoodShare office at 120 Industry St. or other partner locations across Toronto as needed.
• Repetitive tasks such as bending crouching lifting and reaching.
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet.
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
• Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat sun rain cold).
• Fully graduated G drivers license.
• • Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role. If you do not have your own vehicle you may use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
  • • A valid Ontario G License a minimum of 3 years of insured experience with no major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Drivers Abstract may be required.

Total Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $25.55/ Hour
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract fixed hours (35 hours per week)
• Duration: 8 week
• Reports to: Community Compost Coordinator & Sunshine Garden Coordinator

• Vacation: Vacation in pay (8%)
• Location(s) of Position: FoodShare Toronto (120 Industry Street Unit C) and various community compost locations across the city.

Available positions: 1

*Note: As part of FoodShares commitment to equity salaries and benefits are non-negotiable

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00pm on Wednesday Apri 22 2025.

Selection Process:

• FoodShares recruitment process involves the anonymization of all resumes prior to their being screened by the hiring committee. This step removes applicant personal details (names email addresses) educational & employment institutions years of work experience and personal interests to reduce potential for bias. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 3 weeks from the application deadline.
• The hiring committee will review anonymized versions of the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• 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 usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview FoodShare financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
• HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement which the candidate will have at least 3 business days to review and return.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! FoodShare is a food justice organization. This means that we are committed to working to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression that cause and perpetuate food security inequities.

Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity and poverty statistics but are significantly under-represented in community based food organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging poverty and food insecurity. FoodShare strives to create a workspace that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. If you see yourself reflected in 80% of the requirements for this role please consider applying.

If you require accommodation when navigating the application process please contact:

Required Experience:

Junior IC