Volunteer Opportunity

Role: Community Garden Program Coordinator
Organization: Halton Environmental Network (HEN)
Location: Halton Region, Ontario (Hybrid)

Position Type: Volunteer
Time Commitment: Approximately 10–15 hours per week
Reports To: Climate & Environment Program Lead

About Halton Environmental Network

Halton Environmental Network (HEN) is a community-focused environmental nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainability, environmental education, and climate action throughout Halton Region.

Through our community gardens, food forests, environmental workshops, and community initiatives, we help residents connect with nature, develop new skills, strengthen local food systems, and build more sustainable communities.

About the Opportunity

Are you looking to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in environmental program coordination, community engagement, or nonprofit management?

HEN is seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and dependable Volunteer Community Garden Program Coordinator to support the planning, coordination, and delivery of our community garden initiatives across Halton Region.

Reporting to our Climate & Environment Program Lead, you'll help strengthen community engagement, coordinate educational workshops and events, support resident communications, and contribute to the organization of our community garden programs.

This opportunity is ideal for students, recent graduates, emerging environmental professionals, or individuals looking to develop practical experience in program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and community-based environmental initiatives.

You'll have the opportunity to take ownership of assigned projects, develop professional skills, and make meaningful contributions to HEN's environmental programming.

Key Responsibilities

The successful volunteer will support a variety of community garden program activities. Responsibilities will vary depending on seasonal priorities and upcoming initiatives, but may include the following:

• Help maintain HEN's community garden Padlet boards and Facebook Groups, including sharing approved updates, responding to questions and comments and monitoring resident participation.
• Help track community engagement, feedback, and participation to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Help develop strategies, workshops and events to increase resident involvement in community garden activities.

• Conduct occasional visits to community garden sites throughout Halton Region.
• Install and distribute approved HEN signage, posters, QR codes, and informational materials at community garden sites.
• Document general garden observations and communicate maintenance needs or resident concerns to HEN staff.
• Help complete inventories of HEN supplies.

• Support the development and maintenance of community garden programming calendars and event schedules.
• Use shared organizational tools, including Google Workspace and Notion, to track assigned activities and project progress.
• Assist with tracking participation, volunteer engagement, and program outcomes.
• Provide regular progress updates to the Climate & Environment Program Lead.

The specific activities assigned will vary throughout the year based on program priorities. Volunteers will receive guidance, clearly defined tasks, and support from HEN staff.

Qualifications & Skills

We're looking for someone who is:

• Organized, dependable, and able to follow through on commitments.
• A strong written and verbal communicator.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable coordinating multiple activities.
• Passionate about environmental sustainability, community development, gardening, or environmental education.
• Comfortable working independently on assigned projects while collaborating with a team.
• Familiar with basic digital tools such as email, Google Workspace, and social media platforms.
• Able to commit to regular weekly involvement and occasional in-person activities across Halton Region.
• Can provide (or obtain) a Vulnerable Sector Check.

Additional Assets (Not Required):

• Experience in program coordination, event planning, community outreach, or administration.
• Familiarity with Padlet, Facebook Groups, Canva, or Notion.
• Knowledge of community gardening, urban agriculture, or environmental education.
• Experience volunteering or working with nonprofit organizations.
• Access to reliable transportation for occasional site visits.

No previous professional experience required! We are particularly interested in applicants who are motivated to learn, develop their skills, and contribute to meaningful environmental initiatives.

What You'll Gain

This position is designed to provide meaningful real-world experience and opportunities for professional development.

As a Community Garden Program Coordinator, you'll gain:

• Relevant Professional Experience: Develop hands-on experience in environmental program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and nonprofit operations.
• Project Coordination Skills: Build experience organizing events, managing timelines, tracking progress, and coordinating community initiatives.
• Leadership Opportunities: Take ownership of defined projects and contribute ideas to community programming.
• Professional Networking: Connect with environmental professionals, community organizations, and local stakeholders.
• Resume & Portfolio Development: Build a record of tangible accomplishments, including coordinated events, engagement initiatives, and program outcomes.
• Professional References: Opportunities to receive a reference based on demonstrated involvement and performance.
• Meaningful Community Impact: Contribute directly to environmental education, food sustainability, and community engagement across Halton Region.

Time Commitment & Work Arrangement

We're seeking an individual interested in making a consistent contribution of approximately 10–15 hours per week.

This position is hybrid, with much of the planning, communications, and administrative coordination completed remotely. Occasional in-person visits to community gardens and participation in events throughout Halton Region will be part of the opportunity.

Volunteer activities and schedules will be coordinated with the Climate & Environment Program Lead, with flexibility around the timing of individual tasks.

We are ideally seeking someone interested for a minimum of 3 months commitment, with opportunities for longer-term involvement.

The successful volunteer will receive an orientation, guidance, and ongoing support from HEN staff. This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity supporting HEN's staff-led programming.

How to Apply

Interested in gaining valuable experience while helping build stronger, greener communities?

We'd love to hear from you!

Please send your resume and a brief introduction outlining your interest in the position and any relevant experience to:

robyn@haltonenvironment.ca

Email Subject: Volunteer Community Garden Program Coordinator Application

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Help us grow more than gardens — help us grow communities!

Halton Environmental Network is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming volunteer environment. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.