Community Harvest Assistant

COMMUNITY HARVEST ASSISTANT

The Ottawa Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food, as well as supplies such as diapers, toiletries, and cleaning supplies to its network of over 100 emergency food programs across the city. We work in partnership to create a healthier city by empowering people, increasing access to healthy food, and advocating for systemic changes that reduce food insecurity.

The Ottawa Food Bank’s Community Harvest Farm operates on donated land and produces over 150,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables annually. We grow over 20 different crops, helping to provide culturally appropriate food to our member agencies.

We are looking for full-time, Community Harvest Assistants to work seasonally from mid-April to early November 2023.

SUMMARY

Working alongside the Community Harvest Manager and the Community Harvest Coordinator, the Community Harvest Assistant performs all field-based tasks required to operate a 10-acre fruit and vegetable farm. The Community Harvest Assistant also works closely with volunteers on the farm, providing orientation, and guidance and ensuring safe work practices.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs a variety of field-based tasks required to run a 10-acre fruit and vegetable farm, such as seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting, washing, irrigation maintenance, and occasional equipment operation.
• Coordination of volunteers working at the farm, including conducting pre-shift and health and safety orientation. Provides detailed instructions on tasks to be performed and provides functional supervision of volunteers while working alongside them in the field.
• Occasionally transport produces from the farm to the Ottawa Food Bank warehouse, driving a 16-foot cube truck.
• Prepare detailed, daily logs of volunteer and staff fieldwork.
• Perform other related duties as required.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• As an ideal candidate, you have experience and demonstrated interest in agriculture and farming, an understanding of agricultural or market gardening practices, and an interest in issues related to food insecurity.
• You have experience supporting and working with volunteers, and well-honed customer service skills. You are comfortable taking a leadership role and providing direction and guidance to others.
• You are a team player with a mature attitude and strong interpersonal skills. You can foster a work environment that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable, and that welcomes volunteers with various backgrounds and ability levels.
• You are comfortable working independently and have a very high degree of dependability and reliability.
• You have a valid G-level driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Experience operating farming equipment is an asset.
• Experience working in a physically demanding role is preferred.
• Up-to-date Standard First Aid certification is an asset.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel software is an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires frequent heavy physical activity (e.g., the lifting of objects of up to 55 pounds, occasional maneuvering of large pallets of food with a pallet jack) and the ability to bend, squat, walk, reach, and twist.

Operating farming equipment, working in the vicinity of farming equipment operated by others, and the maintenance requirements of the position, require the incumbent to be alert at all times.

The work requires working long days (10+ hours) and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. The incumbent must adapt to varied workload demands and weekly scheduling adjustments due to inclement weather. Weekend work may be required.

The Community Harvest Farm site is located near Stittsville, ON and is not accessible by public transportation. Access to a personal vehicle or reliable transportation is required.

CSA-certified work boots that are ankle high or taller, with steel toe protection, is required.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

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

COMPENSATION

The Ottawa Food Bank is proud to be an Ontario Living Wage employer. Wage rates for the Community Harvest Assistant are commensurate with experience, starting at $19.60/hour.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply at https://theottawafoodbank.bamboohr.com/careers/62 

If you are interested in this position but do not have all the qualifications listed, we’d still like to hear from you. We recognize that people gain skills and experience through different paths.

The Ottawa Food Bank values diversity in our workforce. We invite applications from all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities. Please let your recruiter know if you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.