Farm Educator

Black Creek Community Farm is an 8-acre farm in the heart of the Jane and Finch neighbourhood in Toronto. We are a not-for-profit organization and a leader in Toronto’s dynamic urban agriculture and community food sector. At Black Creek Community Farm, we serve and enrich our community through a thriving farm, healthy food, and hands-on training and learning experiences. Our focus is to inspire the next generation by providing leadership in food justice and supporting diverse natural and social ecosystems.

Main Tasks: 

The BCCF Farm Educator will support the implementation and development of intergenerational educational programming rooted in food justice for all ages. Educational programming will include experiential learning activities at our farm site, traveling curriculum programming offered off-site,  and online programming. 

Duties include (but are not limited to): 

Programming

• Implement and contribute to the development of a land-based education curriculum for all ages that is rooted in food justice, urban agriculture, and environmental stewardship, and incorporates STEM topics, food preservation, and cooking programming 
• Work collaboratively with other BCCF staff to facilitate field trips, workshops, and events in person, on and off-site, and/or virtually including staffing, planning,  and securing materials for each, as needed

Supervision

• Supervise program participants, placement students/interns, and volunteers in all relevant aspects of Farm Education programming

Maintenance

• Engage program participants in the design, development, and maintenance of the teaching gardens, indoor and outdoor classroom spaces
• Contribute to and follow seasonal, weekly, and daily task lists for the Farm Education team

Administration

• Support bookings and follow-up for Farm Education programming, including creating invoices, updating the program calendar, and sending confirmation emails and feedback forms
• Work with the Farm Education Coordinator to track revenue and expenses
• Support the purchasing of program materials and supplies, track expenses and receipts, and support project bookkeeping

Evaluation and Reporting

• Implement and contribute to the design of program evaluation tools 
• Track program metrics and deliverables in the Program Log
• Contribute to the preparation of monthly program updates, the annual report, and other funding-related progress reports

Outreach

• Conduct and contribute to the design of outreach activities to register participants, including creating promotional materials, canvassing, flyering, partnering with local schools and community organizations, and tabling at community events to engage community residents

• Provide content and media for communication to be shared on Farm Education events and programs via weekly social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and monthly e-newsletters; update website as needed 

General

• Adhere to Foodshare and BCCF’s policies and health and safety procedures
• Attend BCCF staff meetings and staff trainings, scheduled team meetings and check-ins 
• Participate in farm-wide initiatives and events 
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience

• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of food justice and anti-oppression
• At least one year of vegetable gardening experience with knowledge of organic growing practices (pest, fertility and weed management, and seed starting)
• At least one year of experience developing and adapting workshop content (workshop outlines, food recipes, etc) that is culturally relevant

• Demonstrated facilitation skills for diverse groups with the ability to think

quickly and creatively problem-solve during workshops, tours, or group

activities

• Demonstrated experience working effectively with multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages,

genders, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and individuals who experience

marginalization

• Knowledge of, and experience working with, people of Toronto’s diverse communities
• An understanding of issues affecting the diverse populations of the Jane-Finch area including general issues affecting low-income communities
• Demonstrated experience managing administrative and financial activities associated with programming
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, follow through, and meet deadlines
• Familiarity and proficiency with G-Suite (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar,Gmail), and social media

Job Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada

• Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 50lbs
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet   
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment 
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold)

• Working some evenings and weekends as well as occasional holidays

The successful applicant will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check. FoodShare will cover the cost of this requirement.

Salary: $50,700/Annually* prorated based on start date ($26/hr, 37.5hrs/wk)

Benefits: Prorated based on start date: Four weeks of paid vacation, 20 paid wellness/sick days, 1 paid birthday leave day, all per calendar year;  health reimbursement of up to $1000/year (prorated based on start date) for eligible health and dental expenses with no waiting period.

Contract Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term 

Anticipated Start Date: June, 2025 

Anticipated End Date: Dec 18, 2025

Reports to: Farm Education Coordinator

Location: This position's main work location is Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St. The Farm Educator will work from BCCF a few days per week and at other sites occasionally, which will be discussed with the supervisor. 

* Note that as part of Black Creek Community Farm’s commitment to equity, all staff get equal pay for equal work. As a result, salaries and benefits are non-negotiable. 

TO APPLY: Please submit your application by 12:00 PM on Monday, May 19, 2025. by clicking below. https://secure.collage.co/jobs/foodshare/53274

Selection Process:

1. The first step in the hiring process is for FoodShare’s HR team to screen applications to determine which demonstrate meeting the posting’s base qualifications. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 2 weeks from the application deadline.
2. The hiring committee will review the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which candidates to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
3. The hiring committee will conduct first-round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours before their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome, but not expected or required, to send any questions they have to the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These interviews usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline. In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview, BCCF financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview. 
4. The hiring committee may conduct a second round of interviews, which may include a pre-interview assignment, which would be compensated.
5. HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
6. HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement, which the candidate will have at least 1 week to review and return.

Please note:

BCCF is a member of FoodShare Toronto’s Supportive Partnerships Platform - staff hired for this position will be employed by FoodShare Toronto, and their work location will be Black Creek Community Farm. 

FoodShare is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally-protected factors.

You may require accommodation during the application process. If that’s the case please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at at your earliest convenience to let them know what type of accommodation you need.