Food sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge

Job Title: Educational Coordinator
Project: Learning Garden
Organization: Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Ottawa
Location: University of Ottawa, Ottawa ON (on site)
Grant requirements: age 30 & under (see below)

• Position Type: Part-time/Full-time Work to Grow Grant Positions
• Number of Positions: 2 positions
• Rate of Pay: $22.00/hour
• Application Deadline: Open until filled

OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites Black, Indigenous and racialized people, poor and working class people and those on social assistance, women, Intersex people, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and queer people; transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people, Two-spirit people; single parents, members of ethnic minorities, newcomers and immigrants, people from non-academic backgrounds and disabled, chronically ill or neurodiverse people, people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related illnesses, people with experiences of incarceration and/or records of offences except where it relates to bona-fide employment qualifications, people involved in or with experiences in sex work to apply. We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they would bring to the OPIRG organization in their cover letter. All applicants must provide a brief statement on their views of power and oppression.

About the Role

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Ottawa is seeking two Educational Coordinators to lead community engagement and education initiatives centered around the Learning Garden. This year’s theme, The Three Sisters, aligns with OPIRG’s ongoing work on food sovereignty and sustainability. This position is ideal for BIPOC persons passionate about plant-based education, sustainability, and community mobilization. The successful candidates will foster partnerships, advocate for ecological awareness, and help expand the garden beyond academic gardening plots.

This role also involves reimagining urban spaces by exploring how we can coexist with concrete and envision a livable future where plants, people, and infrastructure thrive together. By integrating food sovereignty, ecological justice, and sustainability, the Learning Garden becomes a space for critical conversations about harmonizing urban development with nature.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain the Learning Garden to ensure its vitality and usability.
• Communicate with stakeholders to explore the garden’s potential for education, co-existence with plants, and broader community involvement.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to solidify long-term partnerships and secure resources for the garden’s sustainability.
• Develop and facilitate workshops, sharing circles, and educational programming that enhance plant-based learning.
• Advocate for the garden as a space for ecological reflection, community engagement, and a voice for the voiceless, particularly in exploring Plant Blindness.
• Foster meaningful connections between people and plants through critical plant theory and ecological awareness initiatives.
• Work with community partners to expand the garden beyond its current scope, integrating it into broader food and land sovereignty efforts.
• Mobilize the community to engage in sustainability and ecological harmony practices.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform job responsibilities in-person from the OPIRG office and the Learning Garden on the University of Ottawa campus.
• Background in education, environmental studies, community engagement, or a related field.
• Experience in outreach, advocacy, and partnership-building.
• Strong understanding of plant-based learning, sustainability, and Indigenous ecological knowledge.
• Passion for food sovereignty, land sovereignty, and ecological activism.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience in gardening, agriculture, or ecology is an asset.

Grant Requirements

• Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive);
• A Canadian citizen, or permanent resident or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
• Legally entitled to work in Canada and entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.

Why Join Us?

• Engage in meaningful community-driven work that connects people and plants.
• Be part of a growing initiative that advocates for ecological awareness and sustainability.
• Work with a passionate team dedicated to education, outreach, and land-based learning.
• Opportunity to contribute to the expansion and development of the Learning Garden with this year’s focus on The Three Sisters.
• Support and uplift Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, racialized gardeners, and farmers through inclusive programming and outreach.
• Take part in innovative conversations about redefining urban spaces, exploring sustainable solutions for coexisting with concrete, and fostering a livable, plant-inclusive future.
• Gain access to Nature Canada’s Work to Grow program networking series and connect with like-minded youth.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and statement on power & oppression outlining their relevant experience and passion for plant-based learning and community engagement to admin@opirg-gripo.ca .

Please use subject line: “LastName_FirstName_Educational Coordinator”

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