Grow Food / Organic Gardening / Urban Farming

Trent Vegetable Gardens Coordinator

Hiring: Garden Coordinator
Project: Trent Vegetable Gardens
Location: Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario

• Term:12-month contract (January through December) with a minimum of 1175 hours. This is a recurring 12-month contract following 2025.
• Compensation: Minimum rate of $23.70 per hour
• Desired Start Date: January 20th, 2025
• Reporting To: The Trent Vegetable Garden Steering Committee
• Website: trentgardens.org

About the Trent Vegetable Gardens:

The Trent Vegetable Gardens (TVG) is a levy group operating two organic garden sites on the Trent Symons campus. The TVG aims to reconnect students and community members with the source of their food by providing the space, tools, and instruction necessary for individuals to engage in agriculture. The TVG provides student employment opportunities, low-barrier community garden plots, and volunteer programming throughout the growing season and works closely with community partners to grow and distribute high-quality produce within Nogojiwanong-Peterborough. The Trent Vegetable Gardens partner with university professors and elementary- and high-school teachers to provide immersive, curriculum-linked opportunities for students to enhance their gardening skills and food literacy.

Purpose of the Coordinator Position:

The purpose of the Coordinator position is to facilitate the operation of the Trent Vegetable Gardens. The Coordinator is responsible for managing the rooftop and field gardens; coordinating the community gardens; negotiating space-sharing with applicable community groups; staff recruitment, training and supervision; volunteer coordination; outreach and communications; educational programming; and coordination of produce distribution to local donation partners. The coordinator is responsible for ensuring the continuity of regular community programming including weekly volunteer hours, educational workshops, community garden programming and student service-learning projects.

Responsibilities:

Garden Management

• Create and maintain seasonal garden plans
• Maintain rooftop and field garden spaces throughout the growing season
• Source and purchase seeds, garden supplies, tools and amendments
• Oversee equipment inventory, maintenance, storage, and repair
• Create weekly work plans for garden staff and volunteers
• Coordinate and support community garden members
• Negotiate space-sharing agreements with community groups occupying field garden plots
• Coordinate distribution of produce to the Seasoned Spoon Café and other community organizations

Outreach and Education

• Act as ambassador to the TVG and promote the activities and mission of the organization
• Maintain up to date email lists and communications with volunteers, community gardeners, staff, and partner organizations
• Develop and facilitate workshops and educational programming
• Facilitate and support for-credit student programming including service-learning placements and student research projects with the Trent Community Research Centre
• Liaise with: Trent University, the Levy Council, the Seasoned Spoon Cafe, Trent Oxfam, Inwendaamin Oki, BIPOC Growing Collective, Grandfather’s Kitchen, Student Nutrition Program, Trent Student Seed Savers, Trent Apiary, Trent Centre for Community Research and greater the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough community.

Human Resources Management

• Recruit, train and supervise summer student staff and volunteers
• Oversee staff timesheets and ensure accurate payroll reporting
• Create and/or oversee detailed, accurate record keeping and work logs
• Ensure all health and safety regulations are being followed
• Resolve employee and workplace issues appropriately and professionally
• Provide leadership and mentoring for staff and volunteer skill development

Planning and Administration

• Prepare and oversee annual budget, regular cash flow and variance statements, and financial records
• Seek out and apply for funding opportunities and wage subsidy programs
• Oversee the preparation of an Annual Report summarizing progress on short- and long-range plans, as well as the financial status of the TVG
• Take the lead with policy development and documentation with input from the Steering Committee
• Support the organization of bi-monthly Committee meetings
• Support organizational development through the administrative components of strategic planning and possibly incorporation
• Ensure financial transparency and accountability to garden stakeholders, including the Levy Council and Trent student body

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; a degree or certification in sustainable agriculture, environmental science, or related field is an asset.
• Previous experience in vegetable gardening, with knowledge of plant care, soil health, and pest management strategies is required.

Additional Expectations and Considerations:

• This position requires working independently with limited oversight from the Steering Committee.
• This position is physically demanding and involves a lot of outdoor work. The Coordinator must possess the ability and disposition to work outside in adverse weather conditions when necessary.
• The Coordinator may be required to work outside of normal work hours such as evenings, early mornings, and/or weekends. 
• Access to a vehicle is an asset.
• Familiarity with Trent University, The Seasoned Spoon Café and the TVG is an asset.

The Trent Vegetable Gardens is committed to cultivating an inclusive workspace and encourages applications from women and gender-diverse folks, BIPOC community members, and LGBTQ+ individuals. 

How to apply:

Submit your application as one PDF document containing both resume and a cover letter outlining how your education, skills and experience meet the qualifications and duties above. All submissions must be addressed to the Hiring Committee and emailed to: trentvegetablegardens@gmail.com with the subject line “Garden Coordinator Job Application.”

Please mention you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

While we are grateful for all submissions, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the listed qualifications — we value enthusiasm and a willingness to grow on the job. Application closes January 5th at 11:59PM.