Community Support Coordinator
Black Creek Community FarmFull TimeNorth York, ON
Community Support Coordinator
Black Creek Community Farm (BCCF) is an 8-acre farm in the heart of the Jane and Finch neighborhood in Toronto. We are a not-for-profit organization and leader in Toronto’s dynamic urban agriculture and community food sector. At BCCF, our growing spaces are models of sustainable agriculture and our mission is to serve and enrich our community through a thriving farm, healthy food, and hands-on training and learning experiences. Our focus is to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice and supporting diverse natural and social ecosystems.
Main Tasks
The Community Support Coordinator will play a key role in sharing and delivering impactful community initiatives at BCCF, working closely with the Executive Director and the leadership team to support and coordinate the day-to-day administrative, financial management, and communication tasks. The Coordinator will be on-site to be a point of contact for community members and respond to visitor inquiries. The Community Support Coordinator will lead program evaluation, support grant development, and provide general clerical support. This position’s focus will be on working collaboratively to shape a positive work culture and support the delivery of programs and services that advance BCCF’s mission and vision.
This position is ideal for a mission-driven professional with an administrative and financial management background who is passionate about food justice, community engagement, and team collaboration.
Interested applicants from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
Program Administration
- Work closely with the Executive Director to coordinate support for leadership, including documentation, communications, outreach, handling inquiries, data entry, and partnership agreements.
- Plan logistics for programs, events, and meetings in collaboration with BCCF teams.
- Purchase program materials and office supplies, track expenses, inventory, and receipts.
- Lead program evaluation with the support of Program Managers including creating and disseminating surveys, organizing focus groups, and compiling data.
- Scheduling meetings, taking minutes, and managing files and reports, using Google Suite and other tools.
- Draft and share updates, ensuring communications to staff and community are clear and timely.
- Monitor departmental email and direct communications to the correct team.
- Conduct monthly health and safety inspections with leadership team
- Support managers in accessing funding: identifying and sharing upcoming grant opportunities, supporting grant application writing and editing, and reviewing grant reports.
Financial Management
- Assist in the tracking of program expenses and maintenance of accurate financial records with the support of program managers
- Support audits by preparing financial documentation.
- Support with organizational bookkeeping and accounting, including invoicing, reconciliations, and petty cash, before review by leadership
- Working closely with the Executive Director, support the processing of organizational income and accounts payable:
- Review and process deposits, reimbursements, and expense reports
- Deposit cheques and payments
- Follow up on outstanding payments and Update accounts with payments received.
- Record charges in accounting software, ensure receipts reconciliation, and support credit card reconciliation reports.
- Support the processing and tracking of petty cash requests.
- Support the audit process by preparing documentation.
- Follow up on staff inquiries about revenue and payment status.
Community Engagement & Communication
- Represent BCCF at relevant planning tables, and partner and community meetings, identifying opportunities for engagement and support for community-led food projects.
- Lead and maintain regular community communications via social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), the website, monthly e-newsletters, and other farm updates.
- Support outreach efforts: create promotional materials, canvas neighbourhoods, and collaborate with schools and organizations.
- Monitor departmental email and respond to staff inquiries about payment status.
- Draft and disseminate internal communications for BCCF staff.
- Post or share organizational updates and community communications in designated areas including the bulletin boards at the farm gate, in the pavilion, and in the farmhouse.
- Act as a welcoming and engaging point of contact for visitors and community members.
Supervision
- Support onboarding, training, and supervision of staff, placement students, interns, and volunteers.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and positive work culture.
- Ensure the safety and maintenance of the workspace
General
- Adhere to Foodshare and BCCF’s policies and health and safety procedures.
- Attend all staff meetings and trainings, schedule team meetings, and check-ins.
- Participate in farm-wide initiatives and events.
- Other duties as assigned
- Demonstrate behaviours in line with Black Creek Community Farm’s mission, vision, and policies outlined in Black Creek Community Farm’s Manual
Qualifications
- Minimum 2+ years experience performing financial management activities such as budgeting and bookkeeping, using tools like spreadsheet-based planning software and record-keeping systems.
- Minimum 2+ years experience performing administrative activities (e.g., making phone calls, responding to inquiries, entering data, scheduling, drafting reports).
- Minimum 2+ year experience in community-led food projects, neighbourhood-based community organizing, and/or working with grassroots organizations.
- Proficient in Quickbooks accounting software.
- Demonstrated ability to think quickly and creatively problem-solve.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, follow through, and meet deadlines.
- Digital literacy and familiarity with tools such as G-Suite (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Slides, Calendar, Gmail), SmartSheet, Quickbooks, WordPress, social media, Canva, and Buffer.
- Demonstrated commitment to principles of food justice and confronting anti-Black racism.
- Lived experience of challenges faced by under-resourced communities such as discrimination based upon Black and Indigenous identity, income disparity, food insecurity, or other experiences is an asset.
- Existing connections in the Jane-Finch or Black Creek community, are an asset.
- A valid Ontario Drivers License is an asset.
Note: If you do not meet all of the above criteria, but you think this job is perfect for you, we would still love to see your application.
Job Requirements
- This position's main work location is Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St, with the ability to work from home occasionally with the Executive Director’s prior approval.
- Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold).
- Working some evenings and weekends as well as occasional holidays.
- Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
- If selected for this position, the candidate must obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check (paid for by Black Creek Community Farm).
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $29.12/hour (37.5hrs/week)*
Benefits: Prorated based on length of employment: Up to 4 weeks paid vacation, prorated 20 paid sick/wellness days per year, 1 paid birthday leave day, health benefits with up to $1000 reimbursement, no waiting period*
**All benefit days prorated per calendar year**
Anticipated Start: February 2025
End Date: December 2025
Duration: 44 weeks
Contract Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: This position's main work location is Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St, with the ability to work from home with the Executive Director’s prior approval.
*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 12:00pm on Monday, January 6, 2025 by clicking the 'Apply Now' below.
Selection Process:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 to 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.
- The hiring committee may conduct a second round of interviews, which may include a pre-interview assignment, which would be compensated.
- HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate if they intend to extend an offer. This process usually takes about 1 week.
- HR will send the selected candidate an 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 celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We welcome all applicants who share our values of respect, inclusivity, and equality.
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.