BC Farmland Committee Organizer

Contract Position, Part-Time

$30.00/hour

Sierra Club BC and the National Farmers Union are joining forces to create this unique opportunity to work in collaboration on policies to protect BC’s farmland from development, concentration and investor speculation, thus ensuring the next generation of farmers is able to farm. 

The National Farmers Union is a direct-membership organization made up of Canadian farmers and farmworkers who share common goals. NFU members work together to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and security of income for farm families, farm units, and farm workers, while enhancing the land for future generations, working nationally and internationally for farmers and social justice. The National Farmers Union is unique among farm organizations in working for people’s interests against corporate control of our food system.

Sierra Club of British Columbia Foundation (Sierra Club BC) is a non-profit environmental charity whose core mission is to advance climate justice and ecosystem protection by uplifting grassroots-led change. We are committed to engaging with and learning from diverse communities and knowledge systems. We are committed to learning from the governance systems of the Indigenous Nations on whose territories we live and work.

The BC Farmland Committee Organizer is a part-time term position to support the work of the NFU’s BC Farmland Committee (“The Committee”) in partnership with Sierra Club BC to advocate for policies that protect farmland and support food sovereignty in the province.

The Organizer will work remotely from a location in BC and report regularly to the Committee. 

The Role & Responsibilities

The BC Farmland Committee Organizer’s responsibilities include the following:

• Support the Committee in developing a set of policy priorities to pursue and organize around in the province
• Support the NFU’s work to obtain access to land titles data in the province
• With the guidance of the Committee, pursue the potential of working with other individuals and organisations to build a BC farmland protection coalition
• Keep up to speed with major farmland-related developments in the province
• Support the Committee’s development of policy documents, advocacy positions, and meetings with BC elected officials and government staff
• Support the Committee with meeting agendas, minutes, emails, and reminders
• Other duties as assigned

Reporting:  This position will be housed at Sierra Club BC but will work closely with and largely take policy direction from NFU's BC Farmland Committee.

Working Conditions

This is a part-time, one-year term position at a rate of $30.00 per hour with a possibility of extension based on performance and funding. This position is for an average of 10 hours/week, with significant flexibility as to the time of work. Reduced hours during the growing season can be negotiated, with as few as 5 hrs/week during the growing season (May-September) and as many as 15 hrs/week during the off-season.  A record of hours worked will be submitted on a monthly basis.  Farmers and farm workers are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The Ideal Candidate

• You are a highly-organized, responsible person who is focused and effective in limited working hours
• You have experience with organizing work and running campaigns
• You are based in BC and have an understanding of BC’s provincial government and agricultural politics
• You share Sierra Club BC and NFU’s goals and a passion for protecting farmland for agriculture
• You are eager to learn and incorporate Indigenous worldviews into this work
• You ideally have experience in agriculture, either through education or previous job experience
• You are eager to take initiative in your tasks but are also willing to check in, receive feedback and continuously learn in a collaborative environment
• You see your role as key to the development and functioning of a vibrant progressive coalition
• You have experience working in intercultural contexts and upholding JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) principles
• You have a high degree of professionalism
• You demonstrate strong competency in English written and verbal communication. French-English bilingualism is an asset
• You are proficient in managing dynamic projects and take ownership of your work

Skills

• The BC Farmland Committee Organizer will have:
• Ability to communicate clearly on the phone and via email
• Organizational skills to manage administrative tasks
• An understanding of agriculture and social justice in Canada and an interest to learn
• Ability to work collaboratively while taking responsibility for deliverables
• Attention to detail, accuracy, conscientiousness
• Interest in building and maintaining relationships across diverse movement partners
• A proactive, positive, industrious, and socially-conscientious attitude
• Proficiency in online communications including Mailchimp and WordPress is an asset

The SCBC and NFU are committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applicants of diverse race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and gender expression.

The SCBC and NFU will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please include them with your application. 

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only applicants considered for an interview will be contacted.