Assistant Market Gardener

Hourly Rate: $16.75 - Check out the YMCA’s total compensation package

Location: Cedar Glen YMCA Centre

Work Hours: 20-37.5 hours per week; 4 months

Employment Type: Contract Part Time Hourly

Number of Vacancies: 2

Anticipated Start Date: May 13, 2024

Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2024 at 5:00pm

**Be the Spark** Join our passionate Farm Team and help us to achieve great things in our community

YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is a 263-acre site that provides year round outdoor education and summer day camp experiences that foster personal growth and build community for guests of all ages. Cedar Glen is home to a 2-acre farm that provides fruits and vegetables to our Food Services department and a Community Supported Agriculture program. Cedar Glen is also home to an apiary focused on honey production, and a small maple syrup program. The farm presents an educational opportunity for day campers and outdoor education participants throughout the year. In addition, the Cedar Glen farm team is responsible for the operation of a 0.48-acre urban farm plot located at Downsview Park.

Reporting to the Farm Supervisor, the Assistant Market Gardener assists the Farm Team in planning and carrying out the day-to-day operations of the vegetable farm with the key objective to maximize productivity while utilizing organic farming practices. The position also provides support when needed in delivering the highest quality farm education programs to outdoor education and summer camp participants in alignment with the overall mission, vision and values of the YMCA.

**In this role, you will**:

- Assist with carrying out the daily operations needed on the farm (i.e., planting, weeding, harvesting, washing and bunching), as identified by Farm Supervisor or Market Gardeners
- Lead a crew of helpers (interns, volunteers, visitors) in an efficient and supportive manner. Support farm operations and education on a regular basis based on needs of the farm
- Proactively support all farm team members. Positively participate in group meeting and coaching sessions throughout the duration of the contract
- Follow work schedule developed by Farm Supervisor to include occasional travel between farm locations
- Perform other duties as assigned

**What you need to succeed**:

- Commitment to the YMCA’s Mission, Vision and Values
- Focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children, youth, and vulnerable people in YMCA programs including understanding legal and moral obligations related to reporting suspected child abuse to Child Protection Services
- YMCA Competencies: Accountable, Relationship-Builder, Improvement-Orientated, Team Player & Leader, Equity and Wellbeing Promoter

**You bring**:

- Formal or informal training in agriculture, horticulture, gardening, landscaping, or a related field
- Minimum 1 full season working with children in an outdoor setting
- Able to routinely perform hard repetitive physical labour on a regular basis
- Shows leadership in carrying out assigned farm tasks
- Ability to build successful relationships with people working on the farm
- Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers
- Excellent written communication skills
- Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Must have a personal arrangement to commute to the farm. YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is not accessible by public transit
- Standard first aid and CPR
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and building a sense of belonging

**Why work for the YMCA?**

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect from the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 165 years of providing opportunities for people to shine through programs and services like health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Learn more in our 2020-2025 strategic plan, _Ignite the Light_,_ which outlines how we are focused on boosting well-being and promoting equity across the Greater Toronto Area.

If we can make the recruitment process more accessible for you, please let us know when we reach out about a job opportunity so we can work with you to accommodate your needs.

In keeping with our commitment to safety and child protection, job offers are contingent on the successful completion of a Police Records Check. Within the first four months and every three years thereafter, a Vulnerable Police Records Check is required. Learn more about these checks here.

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