JOBS & SUMMER JOBS

Position: Program Assistant: Urban Agriculture
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Organization: LUSH Valley Food Action Society
Location: Courtenay, BC

Wage: $18 per hour
Schedule: 30 hours per week for 11 weeks (Some weekend work may be required)
Location: Comox Valley, BC (This position requires in-person work; remote work is not possible)
Posting Closes: May 12th, 2024
Start Date: June 10th, 2024
End Date: August 23rd, 2024 (Start/end dates are flexible to accommodate schedules as needed; an extension may be considered based on funding availability and operational needs)

This is a Canada Summer Jobs position. Candidates must be between the ages of 15 – 30 and must be Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants to apply.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

LUSH Valley Food Action Society is a Comox Valley based non-profit organization. We envision a region where healthy, local food is at the heart of community wellbeing. We support the Comox Valley community to gain food-systems tools, engage in just and resilient local food systems and receive equitable access to nourishing food.

When you work with LUSH Valley, you work with an energetic and passionate team making positive change in the Comox Valley.

ROLE SUMMARY

LUSH Valley is looking for a Program Assistant to support Urban Agriculture programs. The primary tasks in this role will include working in various gardens, managing volunteers, facilitating summer camps and assisting with garden-based workshops.

Candidates should be skilled at problem-solving, communicating, organizing and working a part of a team. The ideal candidate has a diverse skill set that allows them to work in various settings with diverse groups of LUSH Valley staff, volunteers, clients, seniors and youth. Reliable transport to and from various sites in the Comox Valley is required. This role will report directly to the Urban Agriculture Manager.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working in the garden: weeding, watering, planting, harvesting and maintaining garden sites
• Assisting with facilitation of garden-based workshops
• Leading and supporting childrens’ day camps and school workshops
• Recording statistics and completing administrative tasks
• Managing volunteers, including people with various barriers, including the lived experience of being unhoused
• Working with the Urban Agriculture Manager to debrief and plan programs
• Assisting in Food Access Programs as needed
• Assisting with food preparation, fundraising events and outreach as needed

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with diverse groups and/or volunteers
• Experience working with children and youth
• Experience with gardening and/or food growing
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaborative, can-do attitude
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (soil, seedlings, etc.)
• Experience and/or interest in graphic design
• Class 5 driver's license with a clear driver's abstract
• Criminal record clearance
• Basic first aid an asset
• Farming and/or food systems knowledge an asset

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter to Kristen at support@lushvalley.org .

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

LUSH Valley is grateful to receive all applications, but will only contact shortlisted candidates.

LUSH Valley believes in diversity, employment equity and social justice. We encourage applications from all community members, and would be especially interested in receiving them from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disability, LGBTQIA2S+ people and members of marginalized communities.

Pay: $18/hr