Construction Trades Helper - Corner Commons

June 8 - August 31, 2026 (8 weeks)
35 hours/week at $17.60/hour

Jane/Finch Centre is a community-based organization driven by passion, innovation and a strong commitment to social justice, community engagement, and collaboration.Our vision is a healthy Jane and Finch community – strong, inclusive, social and politically active through diversity, opportunity and participation.

Our Community Planning and Development team works with residents, community partners, and others to address local priorities and systemic issues and create more inclusive and equitable spaces.

One of our main areas of work is improving access to community spaces for local residents, artists, grassroots groups, and organizations in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood (Humber River-Black Creek) through projects like Corner Commons.

Coordinated by the Jane/Finch Centre, Corner Commons is a community-led project that has been transforming the Jane Finch Mall parking lot for the last five years into a vibrant public space that is safe, welcoming, and accessible to all. Corner Commons has become a well-loved and award winning community gathering space and arts and culture venue every summer for Jane-Finch residents and visitors from across the city. It has hosted a wide range of activities and programs for all ages with local artists and arts collectives, resident leaders, grassroots groups, and various community organizations, including our annual Community Arts Festival with Flaunt It Movement that highlights local talents through an artist showcase and small business market.

Corner Commons is supported by a working group made up of resident leaders, local community groups, and other partners.

The Position:

The Jane/Finch Centre is currently filling a position for Construction Trades Helper - Corner Commons.

Accountability:

The position is accountable to the Manager of Community Planning and Development.

General Responsibilities:

• We are looking for someone who is passionate about creating equitable public spaces and working with a large group of people to bring a collective community vision to life.
• The Construction Trades Helper will assist with the installation of Corner Commons for Summer 2026, including building new amenities for the public, like seating and shade structures. They will support day-to-day maintenance and operations to ensure safe, accessible, and inclusive space for all residents and visitors. The Construction Trades Helper will also support our team of volunteers, many of whom are local youth interested in gaining more experience working in their community.
• The Construction Trades Helper will receive hands-on training and experience working with a variety of hand/power tools and equipment, as well as basic carpentry and gardening skills. This role will provide learning opportunities for those looking to pursue post-secondary programs and careers in the trades and will strengthen their skills and techniques in design and construction.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Actively contribute to the design and construction process for this year’s installation and its key features, like seating, shade structures, stage, signage, plantings, and public art 
• Assist with material/equipment sourcing and selection 
• Assist with general site maintenance and repairs as needed to ensure a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for the public 
• Assist with event set up and tear down 
• Support Corner Commons volunteers with their skills development and completing their tasks successfully 
• Participate in regular check-ins, Corner Commons Working Group meetings, site meetings with the landowner and any contractors, and other project meetings with residents and partners 
• Participate in project debriefs and evaluations 
• Perform other general tasks as required 

Key Qualifications:

• Interest in pursuing a career in construction, architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, design (e.g. environmental design, industrial design, etc.), project management, and/or other related field 
• Current or former resident of Jane-Finch (or the larger Humber River-Black Creek area) and/or experience living or working with other low-income, racialized communities 
• Committed to social justice and equity and working with a strong anti-racism and anti-oppression framework 
• Comfortable talking with and engaging people of all ages and backgrounds 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team Strong attention to detail 
• Self-starter who has good organizational skills and is flexible to changing plans 
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal 
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and some weekends, as needed 
• Ability to communicate in another language commonly spoken in the Jane-Finch community (e.g. Spanish, Vietnamese, Twi, or Arabic) is an asset 

Other Job Requirements:

• The position will also involve and require:
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (e.g. heat, sun, rain, and wind) 
• Repetitive tasks, such as bending, crouching, and reaching 
• Walking, standing, and working on your feet in a parking lot 
• Lifting heavy objects (up to 30lbs), like wood furniture, tables, tents, etc. 

This position has been funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to who refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

The Jane/Finch Centre is committed to fair and inclusive employment processes and practices. We strongly encourage young people from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups to apply, including Black and racialized youth, recent immigrant and refugee youth, youth who have not previously been employed and for whom this would be their first job experience, and youth who have police records. Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process upon request.