JOB POSTING / OFFRE D'EMPLOI

Position: Community Harvest Assitant
Organization: Ottawa Food Bank
Location: Stittsville, near Kanata / Greater Ottawa, Ontario

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Community Harvest Manager, the Community Harvest Assistant provides farming assistance and performs all field-based tasks required to operate a 5-acre fruit and vegetable farm. This role also assists in the coordination of volunteers working at the farm, and supports the Community Harvest Manager by occasionally delivering produce from the farm to the warehouse. The Community Harvest Assistant is also responsible for coordinating donations by farmers attending the local farmers market. This role requires the incumbent to work weekends regularly.

This is a contract position starting late April/early May and running through the fall to early November.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Farm employee duties:

• Provide farming assistance to the Community Harvest Manager at the Black Family Farm Growing Project.
• Perform all field-based tasks required to run a 5-acre fruit and vegetable operation; seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting, washing, irrigation maintenance, equipment operation, etc.
• Volunteer coordination and orientation at Black Family Farm and other local farms during produce gleaning events.
• Occasional operation of a Community Harvest Vehicle during round trips from Ottawa Food Bank to farm.
• Other duties as required.

Donation and volunteer coordination at the Ottawa Farmer’s Market:

• Foster relationships with the vendors of the Ottawa Farmers' Market .
• Record donations appropriately.
• Safely operate a Community Harvest Vehicle during round trips from Ottawa Food Bank Warehouse to Ottawa Farmers' Market.
• Load and off-load Community Harvest Vehicle using warehouse equipment.
• Coordinate volunteers who assist with produce collection.
• Other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The incumbent must possess the following knowledge and skills:

• Understanding of the issues of hunger, and food security
• Clean driving abstract and a valid G drivers’ license
• Judgement, tact, and discretion, as well as good interpersonal skills are required when dealing with co-workers, volunteers, donors (farmers), and the general public.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility is required to adapt to varied workload demands and weekly scheduling adjustments due to inclement weather.
• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through the completion of secondary school or equivalent work experience.
• An interest in agriculture, ability to work independently, and dependability is critical.
• Patience and sensitivity to the special needs of developmentally challenged individuals who occasionally volunteer their time to The Ottawa Food Bank are also required.

EXPERIENCE

Some experience in an agricultural farming environment is essential for success in the role. Experience with volunteer coordination and/or supervision and farm equipment operation is preferred. Up to date standard First Aid certification is preferred.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTACTS

The work involves ongoing contact with co-workers, volunteers, donors (farmers), and the general public.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Tact, discretion, and good manners are necessary when dealing with all daily contacts, especially when working with volunteers who consist of both regular individual volunteers, corporate groups and various groups from the community.

The ability to effectively identify problems and resolve conflicts is required to work effectively as a team member.

SUPERVISION

The work requires the functional supervision of volunteers.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERRORS

Failure to keep the work environment clean and safe could lead to physical injuries, loss of property, equipment, vehicles or food. Errors in judgement or lack of discretion when dealing with daily contacts could impact on The Ottawa Food Bank’s image and directly affect its ability to efficiently and effectively deliver food to the agencies who serve the needy. Failure to be alert could cause serious accidents.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND TRAVEL

The nature of the work requires the incumbent to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and is required to ensure he/she acquire and wear appropriate dress. CSA certified work boots that are ankle high or taller and containing steel toe protection are mandatory footwear for staff operating heavy machinery both in the field and in the warehouse of the Ottawa Food Bank.

Must have access to a personal vehicle or reliable transportation for independent transport to the growing project site (outside Stittsville) and occasionally to other local farms.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Frequent heavy physical activity (e.g., the lifting of objects of up to 55 pounds, occasional maneuvering of large pallets of food, bending, walking, crouching and twisting) is required to perform the duties of the position.

The daily operating of farming equipment and/or working in the vicinity of farming equipment operated by others, as well as the maintenance requirements of the position require the incumbent to be alert at all times.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Good verbal and writing skills in English are a requirement of the position. Basic verbal skills in French would be an asset.

SCHEDULE: Monday through Thursday and every other Sunday AND/OR Wednesday through Saturday and every other Sunday - approximately 40 hours per week

COMPENSATION: $14.50 per hour

REPORTS TO: Community Harvest Manager

TO APPLY:

When applying please provide a cover letter and resume which clearly indicates how your meet the requirements of the position.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

This opportunity will be posted until a qualified candidate is identified. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

The Ottawa Food Bank welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

To apply for this position please click on this link:

https://TheOttawaFoodBank.bamboohr.co.uk/jobs/view.php?id=18

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