JOBS & SUMMER JOBS

Hiring: Garden Assistant
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Project: Trent Vegetable Gardens
Location: Trent University Campus, Peterborough, Ontario

The Trent Vegetable Gardens are hiring garden assistants for the 2023 growing season.

These entry-level positions will provide hands-on opportunities for interested and committed individuals to gain experience in ecological agriculture and community food programming. Garden assistants will help the Coordinator in all field operations, including seeding, transplanting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and produce distribution. Student gardeners will work with the Coordinator as a team to ensure the day-to-day healthy growth and prosperous future of the gardens. Additional tasks may include food preservation and preparation, event planning and delivery, outreach and publications, volunteer supervision and supporting the management of community garden plots. More information about the Trent Vegetable Gardens can be found on our website: trentgardens.org.

Position Details:

• 30 hours per week
• 16-week duration with an opportunity to continue part-time work through the fall
• $16.50/hr
• Start Date: May 1, 2023
• This position is contingent on funding

Successful applicants will possess the following skills and experience:

• Strong interest in ecological agricultural methods and techniques
• Experience working in physically demanding environments and/or adverse weather conditions
• Knowledge and interest in the politics of food sovereignty, food justice and sustainable agriculture
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills, self-directed, punctual, and skilled at paying attention to detail
• Experience working or volunteering in the field of agriculture is not a requirement but considered an asset.

Successful applicants will be expected to:

• Work alongside independently and as a team to complete daily garden tasks
• Possess the ability and disposition to work outside in adverse weather conditions when necessary
• Communicate promptly and effectively via phone and email
• Keep a work-log of all work completed and hours contributed
• Assist with volunteer engagement and supervision

• Assist with the planning and delivery of workshops, events and garden tours
• Support the management of the campus community garden plots
• Arrive at work aware of and prepared for varying weather conditions
• Help create a positive and safe working environment.

To be eligible applicants must be:

• Between the ages of 15 and 30 (inclusive)
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and,
• Legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume as one document in pdf form to the Garden Coordinator: trentvegetablegardens@gmail.com . Please indicate you saw this posting at FoodWork. Please include “Garden Assistant” in the subject line. 

The Trent Vegetable Gardens is committed to cultivating an inclusive workspace and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and BIPOC community members.

While we are grateful for all submissions, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 31 by 11:59pm.