Job Opportunity: Part-time YMCA Farm Team Leader
Posted: February 3, 2014
Categories: Food in the News / GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Members / Opportunities / Volunteer. Job and Writing Opportunities
The YMCA of Greater Toronto Area is seeking a part-time (20 hours/week) Farm Team Leader between April 1, 2014-October 31, 2014 for their YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre in Schomberg, ON.
As outlined by the job posting, the YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, among other activities, operates a seasonal fruit and vegetable farm and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) system, in partnership with Everdale. The Farm Team Leader is responsible for planning and carrying out the day to day operations of the farm while aiming to maximize productivity through organic farming practices. Keeping with the mission and goals of the YMCA, the position will also aids in delivering the highest quality farm education programs to outdoor education and summer camp participants.
Responsibilities:
- Develops the annual farm plan in conjunction with YMCA Cedar Glen and Everdale. Prepares a detailed plan that outlines the produce to be planted and harvested through succession based planting based on the needs of YMCA Cedar Glen and Everdale. Identifies any further resources or infrastructure required for a successful harvest. Plans the Community Supported Agriculture system and the market pickup dates.
- Ensures that the daily operation of the farm is carried out (i.e. tilling, planting, irrigating, weeding, harvesting, washing and to market) and done so with organic practices.
- Directs and coordinates staff and volunteer activities to ensure effective and successful group support on the farm. Inspects crops to determine maturity dates or to estimate potential crop damage due to weather or weeds.
- Identifies local markets to attend to and sells produce onsite in tandem with CSA pickups.
- Communicates with both YMCA Cedar Glen and Everdale on a consistent and effective basis.
- Demonstrates initiative and motivation to proactively operate the farm.
- Provides leadership to “on the farm programs” that summer camp participants and outdoor education groups can actively be involved, engaged and immersed with on a semi-frequent basis. Implements lesson plans as outlined and provided, as well as refine and create new lesson plans that engage all on the farm program participants.
- Tracks all farm related expenses. Provides support to Facility manager in developing and monitoring budget. Setup produce stall on CSA and market days and completes inventory of all produce sold and remaining.
- Demonstrates appropriate behaviours in line with our Mission, Vision and Values as reflected in our YMCA competencies; takes a member focused approach to increase their understanding of programs offered across the Association. Represents the YMCA and the Association in a professional manner
- Understands the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to Children’s Aid Society.
Qualifications:
- Post secondary education in agriculture, horticulture land management or a related field
- Minimum 2-4 full seasons of practical skill application as a small-scale farm operator
- Demonstrated experience in farming and community supported agriculture systems that result in high yields
- Demonstrated leadership in providing superior customer service and ability to coach staff in techniques for building successful relationships
- Well developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with members, staff and volunteers
- Excellent written communication skills
- Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity
- Standard first aid and CPR
- Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Must have access to a vehicle. YMCA Cedar Glen is not accessible by public transit
- Routinely perform hard physical labour on a regular basis.
Interested individuals should send cover letter and résumé quoting job posting #431 by Friday, February 7, 2014 to:
Rodney Medicraft
Facility Manager
YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre
13300 11th Concession Schomberg, ON L0G1T0
Email: rodney.medicraft@ymcagta.org
F: 905-859-6750