Gardens Educator – Ecosource – Mississauga (Region of Peel), Ontario

ECOSOURCE IS SEEKING a Gardens Educator

Full-time, 35 hours per week April – October 2015

Who we are:

Ecosource is an innovative environmental organization that empowers the community to become more environmentally responsible through creative public education. We specialize in hands-on programming that aims to increase environmental sustainability in Peel Region and beyond.

The Position:

Ecosource is seeking a passionate, creative, and self-motivated individual to join us as a Gardens Program Educator, focused on engaging youth and the community in healthy eating and hands-on food growing education at our various community garden locations. A key focus will be supporting Ecosource’s 2015 Healthy Roots program.

Responsibilities:

Develop and deliver Ecosource gardens programming for children, youth and community members, focusing on healthy eating, food growing skills and physical activity through fun, hands-on learning
Facilitate community garden engagement for community groups and residents by hosting community drop-in events
Collaborate with community partner agencies and schools for program outreach and delivery
Coordinate regular email, written and telephone communication with program participants, partners and volunteers
Document relevant project information, milestones and evaluation data
Support Ecosource Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture programming and activities as required
Represent the core values of Ecosource in the community

Qualifications:

A good working knowledge of organic food production principles, related environmental issues and local food systems.
Strong experience in children’s and youth education and workshop facilitation
Experience working and/or teaching in diverse communities and familiarity with the non-profit sector
Experience working or volunteering in the organic agriculture or gardening sector
Sound program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation skills
Experience working with schools and community groups
Experience working with and coordinating volunteers
Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, and computer skills including all MS Office applications
Energetic, flexible, and self-motivated, with an ability to work independently, in a team, and in diverse settings
Familiarity with the City of Mississauga and experience working in the Malton community are considered assets, as is fluency in languages represented in our garden communities (eg. Korean, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil)
Applicants are required to hold a current driver’s license and must have access to a car

Application Information:

This is a full time (35 hrs per week) contract position from April 27 – October 30, 2015. Some evening and weekend work will be required. This position is paid at an hourly rate of $20-22/hr (depending upon experience).

Deadline for applications is Friday April 3 at 6pm.

Interviews are planned for early April with a start date of late April. A Vulnerable Sector Police Record Search will be required upon hiring. Ecosource offers a great team-oriented work environment with excellent opportunities for skills expansion. Ecosource provides equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified persons. Qualified applicants please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your experience and interest in this position, and outlining that you have access to a vehicle via e-mail (preferred) or fax to:

Anita Wong, Community Gardens Program Manager
Email: awong@ecosource.ca
Fax: 905.858.8927

Please note that resumes without a cover letter, or generic cover letters and resumes, will not be reviewed. Documents should be formatted in Microsoft Word or PDF format (preferred).

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