Project Officer: Social Harvest & Chez-13 Community Kitchen

TITLE: Project Officer – Social Harvest & Chez-13 Community Kitchen

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: 1-year contract with possibility of renewal (35 hours per week)

SUPERVISOR: Program Pillar Lead - Poverty Reduction

START DATE: immediate

I) ABOUT US

Founded in 1982, community is at the heart of the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC). Located in Ottawa’s Ward13, we build and promote a healthy and resilient community through the delivery of quality, diverse and innovative services in a safe and inclusive space. We provide a range of social supports interventions that enable the empowerment of residents, community resilience, and the inclusion of all. This includes food bank services, crisis intervention, community development services, children and youth programming, the operation of several food related social enterprises, as well as a community social innovation hub.

Our diverse team of employees, supported by a strong core of volunteers and our Board of Directors develops, implements, and executes our wide range of programs and services within our ward and beyond. Recognized for its innovative and dynamic leadership, the RRCRC helps its community thrive towards a promising future, transforming our community in the years to come.

A key focus of the Centre’s work is the development of a local, community-level food chain that strengthens access to healthy food while creating meaningful opportunities for residents to participate, learn, and lead. Social Harvest and Chez-13 Community Kitchen are central to this vision.

Social Harvest is RRCRC’s urban agriculture program, producing fresh food through indoor hydroponic systems, outdoor gardens, and greenhouse spaces. The program supports local food production while engaging volunteers and residents in growing, harvesting, and learning about food systems, with all produce directed to RRCRC’s Food Bank and other local community programs serving residents facing food insecurity.

Chez-13 Community Kitchen transforms rescued food, wholesale produce, and fresh Social Harvest harvests into nutritious meals that are distributed through RRCRC’s Emergency Food Bank and other community-based food programs serving residents facing food insecurity. The kitchen reduces food waste and increases access to healthy food while providing hands-on opportunities for residents and volunteers to learn, contribute, and build skills through workshops and large-scale meal preparation. Chez-13 also serves as a space for donor engagement and fundraising activities, hosting collaborative cooking sessions that directly support community food programs.

Together, Social Harvest and Chez-13 form the backbone of RRCRC’s community food chain—connecting food production, rescue, processing, and distribution in a model that prioritizes food security, local partnerships, and resident participation.

II) SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS

Are you passionate about food security, urban farming, and community impact?

Under the supervision of the Team Lead: Food Initiatives and the Poverty Reduction Pillar Lead, the Project Officer supports the day-to-day operations and ongoing development of Social Harvest and the Chez-13 Community Kitchen. Working closely with the Team Lead, the Project Officer coordinates volunteers, supports program delivery, and contributes to the continuous improvement of workflows and activities to achieve two core operational goals:

1. Supporting large-scale meal preparation through the Chez-13 Community Kitchen — ensuring consistent volunteer engagement and efficient operations in order to meet or exceed the program’s target of 1,000 meals per month using rescued and fresh produce.

2. Maximizing food production through Social Harvest — assisting with the planting, maintenance, harvesting, and packaging of fresh produce in indoor hydroponic systems and outdoor growing spaces.

The officer ensures efficient workflows, maintains accurate records of outputs, and fosters an inclusive, productive, and educational volunteer environment.

This position will require the employee to be working in-person at Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre.

III) PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Chez-13 Community Kitchen Coordination & Food Rescue

• Support the collection, sorting, and storage of rescued food from partners and local sources.
• Planning, preparing and cooking food, including food for workshops, events, community meals, demonstrating techniques and promoting nutritional education.
• Support coordination with the Food Bank and partner programs to ensure food and meals are prepared, packaged, and available according to distribution needs.
• Support operational processes that allow the program to consistently meet or exceed the 1,000 meals per month target.
• Maintain accurate records of rescued food, meal output, and inventory.
• Ensure safe food-handling practices, cleanliness, and hygiene standards in kitchen and storage areas.
• Work with team members to brainstorm and implement innovative, sustainable, and respectful culinary programs.

b. Social Harvest

• Assist with planting, maintenance, harvesting, and packaging of hydroponic and outdoor produce.
• Monitor plant health, environmental conditions, and cleanliness of all production spaces.
• Maintain inventory of seeds, supplies, equipment, and harvested produce.
• Support small-scale trials or experiments aimed at improving production efficiency or crop quality.
• Identify opportunities for small improvements or innovations in growing practices and operational processes, and support their implementation in collaboration with the Team Lead.

c. Operations, Logistics and Resource Management

• Manage the community kitchen's organization and upkeep to serve various user groups effectively.
• Manage the Social Harvest spaces’ organization and upkeep to meet program requirements.
• Lead kitchen and Social Harvest enhancements and procure necessary equipment
• Order supplies and monitor inventory across programs.
• Develop and maintain a kitchen scheduling system that harmonizes staff, programs and community usage, ensuring seamless operations.
• Supports the Team Lead with financial and operational tracking, including monitoring budgets and the use of resources related to operations and program activities, to ensure efficient, accountable, and prudent use of funds.

d. Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordination

• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to bolster Social Harvest and Chez-13 kitchen activities and resources.
• Support the planning and delivery of community, partner, and donor cooking sessions that contribute to fundraising, engagement, and community food programs.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and retain volunteers for both the Chez-13 Kitchen and Social Harvest.
• Assign daily tasks, provide hands-on guidance to volunteers of varying abilities, experiences, and comfort levels with food preparation and farm tasks.
• Maintain volunteer schedules, attendance records, and hours logged.
• Foster an inclusive, accessible, and supportive volunteer environment where individuals feel valued and capable.

e. Cross-Program Collaboration & Administration

• Work with Food Bank, Kitchen, Good Food Box and Social Harvest teams to align schedules, production plans, and food rescue needs.
• Track program outputs, inputs, and operational data (e.g., food produced, meals prepared, volunteer participation) to support reporting, planning, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate extensively with other program coordinators to design and execute joint activities, fostering unity and synergistic learning.

IV) QUALIFICATIONS

a. Academic and Professional Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Demonstrated interest in food security, access to healthy food, and community-based social impact.
• Post-secondary education in agriculture, horticulture, plant science, culinary arts, environmental studies, community development, or a related field is considered an asset.

• Basic experience or hands-on involvement in one or more of the following areas: food preparation, community kitchens, gardening, urban agriculture, or food programs.
• Comfort working with budgets, numbers, including basic math, inventory tracking, and simple financial or operational records.
• Ability to work in hands-on, operational environments such as kitchens, gardens, or food distribution settings.

b. Preferred / Assets

• Experience working or volunteering in non-profit organizations, community agencies, or social service settings.
• Experience with food programs, food rescue, food distribution, or community meal initiatives.
• Familiarity with local food systems, food security initiatives, or sustainability practices.
• Exposure to social enterprise, cost-recovery models, or community-based economic initiatives.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, students, or community participants.
• Ability to communicate in both English and French is an asset.
• Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the community is an asset.

c. Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, weekly operational environment.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with comfort engaging households, community partners, and suppliers.
• Ability to coordinate, support, and motivate volunteers, students, or interns.
• Strong administrative skills, including accurate record-keeping and attention to detail.
• Comfort working with numbers, including basic math, pricing, sales tracking, invoicing, and cost monitoring.
• Proficiency with standard computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Wix and online platforms (e.g., web stores, email marketing tools, basic design or social media platforms).
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, while also collaborating effectively within a team.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends as required by operations or outreach activities.
• Valid driver’s license (required)

d. Physical requirements

• This position involves physical activity, including standing for extended periods, lifting and moving boxes or supplies (up to approximately 50 lbs), and working in kitchen, storage, greenhouse, and outdoor environments.

e. Core Values and Attributes

• Strong commitment to food security, healthy food access, and community well-being.
• Non-judgmental, respectful, and inclusive approach to working with people of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, poverty, food insecurity, and systemic barriers.
• Commitment to dignity, equity, and inclusive service delivery.
• Team-oriented, reliable, and supportive work style.
• Takes initiative and follows through on commitments.
• Organized, resourceful, and mindful of efficiency and sustainability.
• Open to feedback, learning, and continuous improvement.

V. WHAT WE OFFER

• Opportunity to be part of a growing, dynamic team engaged in meaningful and community-centered work.
• Fifteen (15) days of annual vacation, increasing to twenty (20) days after one year of employment, plus holiday closure and personal or sick days.
• Group health benefits, including family coverage.
• RRSP contribution opportunity.
• Free parking and refreshments on site.

VI. HOW TO APPLY

If you think you are a good fit for this position, we look forward to receiving your application through this platform and getting to know you. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

We understand the effort involved in a job application and, unfortunately, can only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. We thank all candidates for their interest.

The Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC) is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with intersectional identities. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Please contact us in advance to discuss how we can meet your individual needs.