Farmland Protection, Preservation, Conservation

OFT is hiring a Community Mobilization and Engagement Specialist!

Position: Community Mobilization Specialist
Organization: Ontario Farmland Trust
Location: Remote, with a preference for candidates located in a community in close proximity to the Greenbelt, Ontario

The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is a land conservation organization that works to permanently protect Ontario’s farmland and associated natural features from being lost to urban sprawl and other non-agricultural uses.

We are seeking a motivated and community-oriented individual to join our team as a Community Mobilization and Engagement Specialist, supporting the implementation of OFT’s Community Mobilization Strategy. This role will focus on engaging communities, supporting volunteers, and delivering educational outreach to build awareness and action around farmland protection, particularly in and around the Greenbelt.

If you are passionate about farmland protection, community engagement, and empowering people to take action in their communities, we encourage you to apply. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing area of OFT’s work and help build long-term capacity for farmland conservation across Ontario.

Learn more about OFT by visiting ontariofarmlandtrust.ca.

Employment Details

This is a new contract position, currently vacant, within OFT’s Education and Community Engagement team, reporting to the Resource Development Manager.

• Contract Term: May 4, 2026 – November 27, 2026
• Compensation: $27–$31/hour
• Location: Remote, with a preference for candidates located in a community in close proximity to the Greenbelt
• Hybrid Option: Optional hybrid work from OFT’s office in Guelph, Ontario
• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, with flexibility; occasional evenings and weekends required to support events and outreach activities; 37.5 hours/week
• Travel: Regular travel within Ontario required to support community engagement activities
• Eligibility: You must be legally entitled to work in Canada to be considered for this role

While this position is currently funded through November 2026, OFT is actively working to secure additional funding to extend the Community Mobilization Strategy into a longer-term initiative.

Community Mobilization and Engagement Specialist
Job Description

The Community Mobilization and Engagement Specialist will lead the implementation of the Ontario Farmland Trust’s Community Mobilization Strategy, supporting education, outreach, and volunteer-driven engagement efforts related to farmland protection.

This role focuses on coordinating community mobilization activities, developing educational resources, supporting volunteers, and strengthening relationships with municipalities and community groups. The Specialist will play a key role in building civic capacity and public awareness to support farmland protection across Ontario, particularly in and around the Greenbelt.

This position is part of a project funded in part by the Greenbelt Foundation and will contribute to engaging over 2,000 Ontarians, training volunteers, and delivering a suite of outreach and educational initiatives.

The Employee’s duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

Community Mobilization and Outreach (45%)

Community Engagement and Programming

• Coordinate and deliver community mobilization activities, including presentations, outreach booths, and webinars, in alignment with project targets and timelines.
• Support volunteers with the delivery of approximately 20 community presentations and 20 outreach booths across municipalities in and around the Greenbelt.
• Engage directly with community members, local organizations, and municipal stakeholders to build awareness of farmland protection and pathways for engagement.
• Identify priority communities and support the strategic rollout of mobilization activities across regions.

Municipal and Community Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with municipalities, community groups, agricultural organizations, and partner networks.
• Support engagement with municipal staff and elected officials through educational outreach and resource sharing.
• Track and respond to requests for presentations and community engagement opportunities.

Volunteer Mobilization and Support

• Coordinate the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing support of volunteers participating in mobilization efforts.
• Work with staff to train approximately 60 volunteers to support local engagement activities.
• Provide guidance and support to volunteer leads delivering presentations, organizing outreach, and engaging in local initiatives.
• Foster a strong, connected volunteer network to support sustained community engagement beyond the project term.

Resource Development and Knowledge Mobilization (40%)

Mobilization Toolkit and Educational Resources

• Lead the development and implementation of the Community Mobilization Toolkit, including:

  • Fact sheets on farmland loss and protection

  • Municipal presentation templates

  • Communication templates (e.g., letters, outreach materials)

  • Policy briefs and background resources

• Ensure resources are accessible, adaptable, and aligned with OFT’s messaging and strategic priorities.
• Ensure messaging is clear, evidence-based, and aligned with OFT’s role as a non-partisan organization delivering educational material.
• Assist in piloting and refining educational materials based on feedback from volunteers and community participants.
• Ensure consistency and quality of messaging across all educational and outreach materials.

Program Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation (15%)

• Maintain tracking systems for community engagement activities, volunteer participation, and project outputs.
• Collect and analyze data on participation, engagement, and outcomes (e.g., attendance, volunteer activity, community reach).
• Support the preparation of reports for funders, including evaluation and outcomes reporting.
• Monitor progress against project targets and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate project timelines and deliverables to ensure alignment with funding agreements and organizational priorities.
• Support coordination of meetings, events, and internal planning processes related to the project.

General Responsibilities

• Represent the Ontario Farmland Trust in a professional and knowledgeable manner in all interactions.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and partners to advance OFT’s mission.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and team-oriented work environment.
• Undertake other duties as assigned that are consistent with the nature of the position.

Qualifications

• A diploma, degree, or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., community development, environmental studies, agriculture, planning, communications, or public policy)
• Strong understanding of farmland loss, the agricultural sector, and the importance of farmland protection in Ontario
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, outreach, education, or working with volunteers
• Excellent verbal communication and facilitation skills, including delivering presentations and engaging diverse audiences
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, accessible educational and outreach materials
• Experience coordinating or supporting volunteers, including recruitment, training, and ongoing engagement
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and track progress
• Ability to translate complex topics into clear, accessible messaging for public audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with community groups, municipalities, and partners
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Proficiency in standard digital tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, virtual platforms)
• Ability to travel within Ontario; valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and outreach

Assets Include:

• Experience in community organizing, grassroots engagement, or civic participation initiatives
• Knowledge of Ontario’s municipal planning system and local decision-making processes
• Experience developing toolkits, training materials, or educational resources
• Familiarity with Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) or adult education approaches
• Experience in the non-profit, environmental, agricultural, or conservation sectors
• Experience delivering webinars, workshops, or public programming
• Communications experience, including messaging, campaigns, or content creation
• Familiarity with land trusts, conservation tools, or farmland protection policy
• Project management experience and/or experience working on grant-funded projects
• Graphic design or digital content skills (e.g., Canva) and/or bilingualism (English/French)

To Apply:

Please forward your cover letter, resume, and references (in one document) to Martin Straathof, Executive Director via e-mail to martin@ontariofarmlandtrust.ca by Wednesday, April 22, at 5 pm (EST).

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