Sustainable landscaping, Eco-friendly horticulture & garden design

Hiring: Project Manager, GreenForceTO
Social Enterprise: RAINscapeTO
Location: Toronto, Ontario

• Hours Per Week: 35 hours/week
• Rate of Pay: Starting at $35/hour
• Job Location: City of Toronto
• Apply by: February 26, 2025 (on a rolling basis)
• Anticipated Start date: March 17, 2025

Are you looking for impactful work redefining greenspaces and creating a more equitable city? Would you like to lead a diverse team working at the forefront of climate action and social justice? If yes, then we want to hear from you!

RAINscapeTO is an eco-landscaping social enterprise that designs, implements and maintains beautiful and earth-friendly gardens. We offer the design and installation of sustainable gardens such as pollinator and edible gardens, rain gardens and bioswales. We also provide services to support local food production and the use of native plants as vital elements of a sustainable and healthy urban landscape. For more information on RAINscapeTO visit: rainscapeto.ca

Established in 2016, RAINscapeTO is a social enterprise incubated by Toronto Green Community (TGC) that aims to create rewarding work and career pathways for those facing barriers to employment. At TGC, we value and respect the rich ecological knowledge and the intrinsic connection of Indigenous peoples to the land. Our mission is to provide meaningful, and culturally sensitive employment and training for emerging urban-placed First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples.

Job Purpose

The Project Manager will be part of RAINscapeTO’s leadership team and will lead the planning, delivery and reporting for GreenForceTO, a Green Workforce Development project initiated by the City of Toronto. The Project Manager will represent RAINscapeTO and its project partners and will act as the bridge between the Eco-landscaper Lead(s) and RAINscapeTO’s Management. This position reports to the Manager of RAINscapeTO, who will approve key decisions.

Launched in 2021 by the City of Toronto in partnership with RAINscapeTO and Building Up, GreenForceTO aims to create local green jobs in landscaping and property maintenance, build employment skills and develop career pathways.

Duties and Responsibilities

In collaboration with RAINscapeTO’s Manager and supported by the leadership team, the Project Manager will be responsible for the following aspects of the social enterprise:

Project planning and delivery

• Lead the planning phase of GreenForceTO, including the development of a project workplan, budget, outreach plan, training plan, onboarding plan, delivery schedule and related tasks.
• Oversee a team of one crew lead and three eco-landscapers in the design, installation, and maintenance of green infrastructure solutions, including the following tasks:
  • Ensure Health and Safety Policies, code of conduct and regulations are followed
  • Ensure tools and equipment are maintained frequently and properly
  • Coordinate and schedule eco-landscaper shifts, helping with transportation of staff from office to project site and on-the-ground delivery of gardening services as required
  • Assist the crew lead in training and monitoring eco-landscapers in landscaping techniques and delegating tasks to them
  • Keep track of employee timesheets, project expenses and supply needs
  • Collect statistical and anecdotal data to assess project successes and barriers
  • Coordinate weekly team meetings and one-on-one check points with the crew lead and eco-landscapers
  • Monitor team dynamics and report to Manager on issues and opportunities for improvement
• Lead the ongoing project tracking and the creation of the final report with recommendations for project scalability.

Customer and community relations

• Lead the ongoing communication with City of Toronto, project partners and RAINscapeTO colleagues and board of directors
• Liaise with community groups, neighbourhood groups, industry and business associations to create greater awareness of the initiative, attract Indigenous talent, promote blue-green infrastructure solutions and garner support for the project
• Supervise relevant staff in the planning and delivery of workshops, community forums, events and presentations
• Work with the Manager on maintaining website, newsletter and social media communications

Organization leadership

• Lead a diverse team of 5 people
• Build team capacity and coordinate hiring and training processes for new team members, with an emphasis on the development of Indigenous leadership
• Support ongoing personal and professional development of staff, fostering a culture of engagement and open collaboration
• Identify and address performance issues, providing support as per human resources policies
• Liaise with funders, partners and produce reports on time
• Provide updates/reports at TGC Board meetings and ensure fluid communications and collaboration
• Represent the organization publicly, building strategic partnerships with relevant organizations and community groups and within the landscaping industry
• Collect relevant data to prepare evaluation plans and assess progress
• Research potential additional funding sources and lead proposal writing
• Support Manager and other team members with other organization-wide initiatives as required.

Financial management

• Support the manager in administering the project budget
• Assist the manager with sales, billing, and tracking expenses
• Collect statistical & anecdotal data to assess project successes and barriers
• Support the manager in preparing funding applications and financial reports as required

Desired Qualifications and skills

The ideal candidate must have strong technical and horticultural skills, be able to deliver excellent customer service, have leadership and interpersonal skills and have experience in the design and construction of landscaping and green infrastructure solutions.

• A degree or a combination of related training and experience in environmental sciences, business administration, social development, landscape architecture, design, engineering.
• 2+ years of experience in business, social enterprises and/or program management.
• 3+ years experience in Horticulture/Landscape Architecture
• Strong working knowledge of eco-landscaping, including garden design and implementation, plant ID and plant maintenance
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills, experience managing a team with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience
• Understanding of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and the 94 Calls to Action
• Working knowledge of human resources management and social development policies and practices.
• Experience in liaising with community groups, neighbourhood and business associations
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions and in physically demanding tasks.
• Available to work flexible hours with peak intensities from spring to fall
• Full ‘G’ Drivers license.

We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply, particularly those who identify as First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

Terms of employment and compensation

This is a full-time seasonal position up to 35 hours/week. Starting at an hourly rate of $35 based on experience and skills.

To Apply, send your cover letter and resume via email to : community@torontogreen.ca with “Project Manager GFTO” in your email’s subject line.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Deadline for submissions: February 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Toronto Green Community is committed to providing a workplace that supports equity, diversity and inclusivity. We proactively strive to eliminate any form of harassment and discrimination and be equitable by building these objectives and practices into our teams, programs and services. Please notify us in advance if you require any accommodation.