Community Engagement Trainee

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

Community Engagement Trainee

Overview:

Black Creek Community Farm is an 8-acre farm in the heart of the Jane and Finch's neighborhood in Toronto. We are a not-for-profit organization and a leader in Toronto’s dynamic urban agriculture and community food sector. We serve and enrich our community through a thriving farm, healthy food, as well as hands-on training and learning experiences. Our focus is to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice and supporting diverse and social ecosystems.

Our focus is to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice and supporting diverse natural and social ecosystems. We believe everyone has a right to food. We are equity-oriented and believe in directing adequate resources to people who are experiencing systemic oppression and social inequity as it relates to food security. We believe the Black community, low-income communities, and other equity-seeking groups must play a central role in defining food justice and its priorities. We believe in prioritizing lived experiences in addressing food insecurity.

This position is funded through the Cultural Hotspot program, which requires that the applicants:

• Be between 15-30 years of age (inclusive)
• Be a resident in the Jane/Finch Black Creek/Humber River community
• Be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations

Community Engagement Trainee

The Community Engagement Trainee will primarily support our Coordinators creating and implementing a seasonal calendar of events. The work includes supporting with creating event plans, coordinating logistics, community outreach and correspondence, recruiting, relationship building with volunteers, community partners, and other stakeholders as needed, the set-up/tear-down for onsite farm events, and follow-up evaluation of the event, programs, and initiatives. They maintain an inventory of event supplies, support with BCCF communication and community outreach. They will support with a wide range of field task including vegetable production, planting, garden maintenance, harvesting, and weeding.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Event Planning and Facilitation

• Work collaboratively with the BCCF Coordinators in the planning of various events at the farm, managing the logistics and maintaining the inventory of event supplies.
• Support program delivery including art-based, cooking, gardening and workshops, and working alongside youth, community residents and volunteers on the farm
• Utilize digital technology and social media to engage youth from the community in programming 
• Welcome and facilitate community engagement and workshops for program participants, volunteers, community members, students, and groups
• Support the event preparation, the set-up and tear down

Administrative

• Track program metrics and deliverables in Program Log
• Contribute to the preparation of monthly program updates, the annual report, and other funding-related progress reports
• Collaborate with the Fundraising Coordinator to develop evaluation tools to measure impact of the project

• Support the farm customer service by maintaining Bookings and Events email correspondence while answering and following up with inquiries and redirecting the inquiries to the appropriate staff 
• Support with booking requests received via email, booking forms, and phone calls, and follow up with the main contact including sending confirmation emails, invoicing, and sending feedback forms

Outreach

• Conduct and contribute to the design of outreach activities to register participants, including creating promotional material, canvassing, flyering, partnering with local schools and community organizations, putting up posters, and tabling at community events and building relationships to engage community residents and stakeholders

• Provide content and media for communications to be shared on upcoming Farm Education events and programs, in weekly social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and in monthly e-newsletters, update website as needed

General

• Support the maintenance of the food forest, medicine wheel garden, community garden, other themed gardens, chicken coop, bake oven and periphery areas on the farm, which includes daily watering, weeding, maintenance and harvesting
• Work collaboratively with staff to supervise community members participating in programs, offer safety training, and ensure participants feel safe and respected 
• Be prepared to work outside in ALL weather conditions including rain, sun, and heat.

• Support staff in implementing scheduled activities including nature crafts, gardening, cooking, and environmental stewardship programming. 
• Participate in regular team meetings, check-ins staff training, scheduled staff meeting and offer feedback on ongoing program site activities. 
• Follow BCCF guidelines and protocols, and help to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for staff, volunteers, and community members
• Participate in farm-wide initiatives and events 
• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
• Be between 15-30 years of age (inclusive)
• Be a resident in the Jane/Finch Black Creek/Humber River community

• This position's main work location is Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St, as well as other sites occasionally which will be discussed with the supervisor. 
• Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 40lbs
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet   
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold)
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment 
• Available to work evenings and weekends as well as occasional holidays

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Some experience planning and/or coordinating events 
• Experience facilitating, hosting, or leading programs and/or events for diverse groups (e.g., workshops, tours, or group activities), an asset
• Passion for working outdoors, event planning and the arts
• Demonstrated communication and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience or interest in farming, community engagement, and/or food justice are assets
• Experience with customer service, an asset
• Experience living in the Jane-Finch/Black Creek neighbourhood
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages, genders, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and individuals who experience marginalization
• Willingness to learn and follow instructions, taking initiative when appropriate
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, follow through, and meet deadlines
• Familiarity and proficiency with G-Suite (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Gmail), Canva, and social media
• Lived experience of challenges faced in under-resourced communities, such as discrimination based upon BIPOC identity, income disparity, food insecurity, or other experiences, an asset
• Experience working or volunteering with Black Creek Community Farm, an asset

Note: If you do not meet all of the qualifications, but think this job is perfect for you, we encourage you to include any transferable skills and experiences in your application because we would still love to see your application.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $22.08/hr (20 hrs/wk)

Benefits: Vacation in pay (6%), 1-2 week paid winter shutdown, 20 paid Wellness/Sick Days, 1 paid birthday leave day, all prorated per calendar year; extended health benefit up to $1000 reimbursement prorated per calendar year*

Contract Type: Part-time, Fixed Term Contract 

Duration: 22 weeks

Anticipated Start/End Date: July 2024 to December 2024

Reports to: Fundraising Coordinator

Lo Location:  On-site at Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St, Toronto ON 

Available positions: 1 

*Note that as part of Black Creek Community Farm’s commitment to equity, all staff get equal pay for equal work. As a result salaries and benefits are non-negotiable. 

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 9 am on Monday, June 24, 2024 by clicking the 'Apply Now' below.

Selection Process:

1. The first step in the hiring process is for FoodShare’s HR team to screen applications to determine which demonstrate meeting the posting’s base qualifications. 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 2 weeks from the application deadline.
2. The hiring committee will review the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which candidates to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
3. 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 interviews usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline. In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview, BCCF financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview. 
4. The hiring committee may conduct a second round of interviews, which may include a pre-interview assignment, which would be compensated.
5. HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
6. HR will send the selected candidate and Employment Agreement, which the candidate will have at least 1 week to review and return

Please note:

BCCF is a member of FoodShare Toronto’s Supportive Partnerships Platform - staff hired for this position will be employed by FoodShare Toronto, and their work location will be Black Creek Community Farm. 

FoodShare is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status, or any other legally-protected factors.

You may require accommodation during the application process. If that’s the case please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at hr@foodshare.net at your earliest convenience to let them know what type of accommodation you need.