Libro Food Access Steward

Responsible for ensuring the successful preservation and restoration of 1,200+ acres, rare is located in one of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Its lands provide a natural laboratory for scientific study and research, and for rare’s related research-based educational programs. For information about rare, visit us online at www.raresites.org

Supervised by and reporting to the Gardens and Facilities Coordinator, while working in a team environment with other staff and volunteers, the Libro Food Access Steward is responsible for improving access to local foods through sustainable seed-saving goals, regenerative agriculture practices, providing accessibility support for community members facing food insecurity, and those overcoming obstacles of the pandemic, growing food for donation to those disproportionately affected by COVID 19 and providing educational opportunities for adults and children.

Eligibility
This is a paid position, funded by Libro Credit Union. As per the funder’s requirements, the successful candidate will need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and, have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Engaging in physically demanding work in organic food gardens and orchards that includes planting, pest management, weeding, mulching, watering, harvesting;
• Plant propagation in the greenhouse;
• Working as a team to successfully grow, harvest and deliver thousands of pounds of organic produce to local food banks;
• Supervising and leading garden volunteers from corporate groups, schools, non-profits, and individual members of the community;
• Providing leadership to Food Bank clients and Food Bank staff who assist in the 15,000 square foot Springbank Food Bank gardens;
• Providing mentorship to new community garden members, enhancing food skills and restorative agriculture knowledge;
• Organizing and maintaining tools and equipment;
• Assisting with teaching children from rare’s Every Child Outdoors program about organic gardening, using a hands-on approach that includes plant care, fun facts, harvesting and tasting;
• Developing and presenting a public workshop on a relevant topic (for example: sustainable food systems and organic food growing);
• Promoting rare’s vision to community gardeners, volunteers and the public

Required Qualifications

• Strong interest in local food security, the environment and social justice;
• Gardening experience;
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including rain or intense heat, and tolerant of exposure to biting and crawling insects;
• Ability to lift and carry heavy weights (up to 50lbs);
• Ability to use manual tools such as shovels, rakes, hoes, garden forks and wheelbarrows;
• Demonstrated ability for teamwork and ability to work responsibly while unsupervised;
• Available Monday-Friday 8 am to 3:30 pm with an occasional Saturday or evening shift to staff special events or workshops

SALARY: $19.95 /hr,
35 hours a week for 6 months (April 3 to September 29, 2023)

How To Apply

Applicants should send their resume, cover letter, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for two professional references as an attachment to the following email address: jobs@raresites.org. If possible, please compile your documents into one PDF file. Any application materials provided within the body (text) of your email will not be considered. Cover letters for positions may be addressed to Taryn Jarvis. Please include the name of the job position in the email subject line.

No phone calls, please. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will not be contacted until you have been short-listed and informed.

As part of our commitment to racial justice, reconciliation and equity building, we welcome individuals from marginalized communities including Black people, Indigenous people, people of colour, LGBTQI2S+ and self-identifying women candidates to apply for this position. We encourage people with disabilities to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We are dedicated to removing bias from our hiring process. For this reason, we have implemented an anonymous review component in our recruitment process. What does this mean? We will be removing your name, address and e-mail address from your application/resume prior to it being reviewed by the hiring manager, during the first stage of the recruitment process. If you are selected for an interview, this information will become available to the hiring manager only at that time.

In addition to following all COVID-19 safety measures to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and guests, the rare Charitable Research Reserve requires all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Deadline to Apply: Tuesday, February 28th, 2023