The Environment Network

Community Garden Assistant

Collingwood, ON

Temporary, Full-time, Fixed term contract

About This Job

The Environment Network is seeking a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team as a Community Garden & Greenhouse Assistant. This rewarding position offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference in our community by cultivating fresh, healthy food and fostering inclusive participation in gardening.

About the Role:

As our Community Garden & Greenhouse Assistant, you will be responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of our two community gardens and greenhouse. You will play a vital role in ensuring the successful growth and harvest of a variety of produce for community distribution. This position also involves facilitating inclusive access to our gardens, working directly with seniors and individuals with disabilities to support their harvesting efforts. Furthermore, you will collaborate with volunteers and school groups, guiding them in various gardening tasks and fostering a love for horticulture.

Responsibilities:

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Planting & Cultivation: Planning, preparing soil, planting seeds and seedlings, and nurturing a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, and potentially fruits in our 35 outdoor garden beds and 30x80 foot greenhouse.

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Watering & Maintenance: Implementing efficient watering systems and ensuring consistent hydration for all plants. Performing regular maintenance tasks such as pruning, trellising, and pest and disease management using environmentally responsible practices.

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Weeding & Organization: Maintaining weed-free garden beds and greenhouse spaces, ensuring a clean and organized environment.

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Harvesting & Distribution: Organizing and executing timely harvesting of mature produce, ensuring quality and appropriate distribution for the community.

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Accessibility Support: Providing direct, hands-on assistance to seniors and individuals with disabilities to enable their participation in harvesting activities.

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Volunteer & Group Coordination: Working collaboratively with individual volunteers and school groups, providing guidance, instruction, and ensuring meaningful engagement in daily garden tasks.

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Record Keeping: Maintaining basic records of planting schedules, yields, and volunteer participation.

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General Maintenance: Assisting with basic upkeep of garden tools, equipment, and infrastructure.

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Adherence to Safety Guidelines: Ensuring all activities are conducted in a safe manner, adhering to relevant safety protocols.

Qualifications:

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A genuine interest in gardening, food security, and community engagement.

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Basic knowledge of gardening practices, including planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting.

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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact respectfully and effectively with diverse individuals.

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Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude when working with seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

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Ability to provide clear and concise instructions to volunteers and groups.

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Physical ability to perform tasks such as lifting, bending, and working outdoors in various weather conditions.

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Must be between the ages of 15-30 years of age

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This position is an 8 week position with 35 hours per week.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 5 months

Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

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Casual dress

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Flexible schedule

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On-site parking

Flexible language requirement:

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French not required

Schedule:

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Monday to Friday

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Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

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Collingwood, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

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Are you between the ages of 15-30?

Experience:

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Gardening: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-05-15

Expected start date: 2025-05-12

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