Food Security Programs Facilitator
Employer – Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg
Start and End Dates: Full time/ Seasonal (May/Nov) 40hours/week
Location: McQuesten Urban Farm (east side of St. Helen Centre @ McQuesten, 785 Britannia Ave., Hamilton, ON)
Rate of Pay: $22 -$23 / hour
Job Description
· Lead the development and strengthening of neighbourhood food security networks and collaborative initiatives.
· Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local farmers, greenhouses, garden centres, food pantries, community fridges, and other food access organizations.
· Coordinate ongoing communication with the Food Bank, including scheduling, inventory planning, and distribution alignment.
· Support and align initiatives such as Reaching Home and We Are Braided Together within broader food systems goals.
· Identify opportunities for in-kind contributions, fundraising partnerships, and community-based resource development.
· Provide oversight and coordination of urban farm operations, including seasonal crop planning and community distribution priorities.
· Work alongside the Urban Farm team to grow produce, herbs, and medicines for outreach and food access initiatives.
· Support organic growing practices, preservation activities, and community skill-building workshops.
· Ensure farm and greenhouse spaces are animated as community learning environments.
· Guide the development of curriculum-linked, land-based programming for children, youth, and families.
· Support partnerships with Niwasa Early Learning and Child Care programs, EarlyON, schools, and community organizations.
· Collaborate with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to ensure programming rooted in traditional knowledge is delivered respectfully and appropriately.
· Oversee community workshops, outreach activities, and educational presentations.
· Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and scheduling of volunteers and corporate volunteer partnerships.
· Coordinate market days and community distribution events.
· Develop and maintain administrative systems for tracking participation, impact, and program outcomes.
· Contribute to reporting, evaluation, and continuous program improvement.
Qualifications
· Strong understanding of food security, food sovereignty, and local food systems.
· Knowledge of urban agriculture, sustainable growing practices, and food preservation techniques.
· Strong organizational, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
· Ability to work independently while guiding collaborative initiatives.
· Experience with program evaluation, data tracking, and reporting.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management.
· Minimum 5 years’ experience in community-based programming and working with children, youth, and families.
· Minimum 3 years’ experience in food security initiatives, neighbourhood-based organizing, or urban agriculture projects.
· Demonstrated experience building and sustaining community partnerships.
· Experience working in low-income and culturally diverse communities.
· Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
· Valid certifications: Vulnerable Sector Check, First Aid/CPR, Food Handler Certificate.
· Second language and local residency considered assets.
· Develop content highlighting programs, partnerships, and food access initiatives for social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
· Support storytelling and community engagement through digital communications.
· Promote workshops, market days, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
· Contribute to impact reporting through photo documentation and community narratives.
Certifications or Equivalent Work Experience (have one): ECE/RECE diploma / Outdoor Environmental Education diploma, Ontario Teaching certification, Social Worker diploma.
Vulnerable Sector check, First Aid/CPR, Food Handlers certificate
NOTE: Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg does not use AI technologies for the purpose of screening or qualifying applicants.