COMMUNITY HARVEST ASSISTANT

Ottawa Food Bank; Ottawa; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A local nonprofit organization in Ontario seeks a Community Harvest Assistant to manage farm tasks and volunteer involvement from April to November 2026. Applicants should demonstrate interest in agriculture, teamwork abilities, and strong leadership skills while performing demanding physical work outdoors. Offering a starting salary of $24.04 per hour, the position provides a unique opportunity to support community food production efforts.

Benefits

Allowance for protective equipment

Job training and community involvement

Flexible scheduling

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in farming or agriculture.
• Experience working with people and groups.
• Ability to work independently and reliably.
• Physical capability to handle demanding roles.

Responsibilities

• Perform field tasks like seeding, planting, and harvesting.
• Coach and guide volunteers on the farm.
• Prepare daily logs of farm work.
• Transport produce when necessary.

Skills

Experience in agriculture

Leadership skills

Customer service skills

Teamwork

Reliability

Communication skills

Tools

Farming equipment

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Community Harvest Assistant

Type: Full-Time, Temporary position

Location: Ottawa

Salary Range: $24.04

Posting Date: December 18, 2025

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

Expected Start Date: April 01, 2026

Are YOU…

Ready to learn about farming?! Motivated to work outside with your hands in the soil? Curious about solutions to address food insecurity? Inspired to lead volunteers and coach them to grow heaps of fresh produce for your community? If so, keep reading!...

ABOUT THE OTTAWA FOOD BANK AND COMMUNITY HARVEST FARM

The Ottawa Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food, as well as supplies such as diapers, toiletries, and cleaning supplies to its network of nearly 70 member agencies and 100 food programs across the city. We work in partnership to create a healthier city by empowering people, increasing access to healthy food, and advocating for systemic changes that reduce food insecurity.

The Ottawa Food Bank’s Community Harvest Farm operates on donated land and produces over 150,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables annually. We grow over 20 different crops, helping to provide healthy and culturally appropriate food to our member agencies.

We are looking for full-time, Community Harvest Assistants to work from early‑April to early‑November 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY

Working alongside the Community Harvest Manager and the Community Harvest Coordinator, the Community Harvest Assistant performs all field‑based tasks required to operate a 10‑acre fruit and vegetable farm. The Community Harvest Assistant also works closely with volunteers on the farm, providing orientation, guidance, and ensuring safe work practices.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs a variety of field‑based tasks required to run a 10‑acre fruit and vegetable farm, including: seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting, washing and packing produce, irrigation, and occasional equipment operation and maintenance.
• Leads, coaches and facilitates a positive experience for volunteers working at the farm. Conducts pre‑shift group orientations including health and safety protocols. Provides detailed instructions of tasks as well as functional supervision of volunteers while working alongside them in the field.
• Prepares detailed daily logs of volunteer and staff field work.
• May occasionally transport produce from the farm to the Ottawa Food Bank warehouse.
• Performs other related duties as required.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• As an ideal candidate, you have experience and a demonstrated interest in agriculture and farming.
• You have experience supporting and working with people and groups, and well‑honed customer service skills. You are comfortable taking a leadership role and providing direction and guidance to others.
• A background in market gardening, horticulture, or food insecurity is also an asset, but not a requirement for the position.
• You are a team player with a mature attitude and strong interpersonal skills. You can foster a work environment that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable, and that welcomes volunteers with various backgrounds and ability levels.
• You are comfortable working independently and have a very high degree of dependability and reliability. You have a strong work ethic and the flexibility to manage the dynamic conditions and multiple priorities of a mixed‑produce farm.
• Experience working in a physically demanding role is preferred.
• You have a valid G‑level driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Experience operating farming equipment is an asset.
• Current standard First Aid certification is an asset.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel software is an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires regular and demanding physical activity (e.g., lifting objects of up to 22 kilograms, maneuvering large pallets of food with a pallet jack, etc.). The work is repetitive and requires the ability to bend, squat, kneel, walk, reach, and twist.

Using tools, operating farming equipment, working in the vicinity of farming equipment operated by others, and other workplace risks and hazards require the incumbent to always be alert.

The position requires working long days (10+ hours) outdoors in variable weather conditions. The incumbent must adapt to shifting demands and scheduling changes due to inclement weather. Working weekend shifts may be required.

The Community Harvest Farm site is located near Stittsville, ON and is not accessible by public transportation. Reliable transportation to the farm is required.

CSA certified work boots that are ankle high or taller, with steel toe protection, are required. The Ottawa Food Bank provides an allowance for the purchase of personal protective equipment.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Good verbal communication skills are required. French would be an asset.

COMPENSATION

The Ottawa Food Bank is proud to be an Ontario Living Wage employer. Wage rates for the Community Harvest Assistant are commensurate with experience, starting at $24.04.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply at https://theottawafoodbank.bamboohr.com/careers/98

If you are interested in this position, but do not have all the listed qualifications, we would still like to hear from you! We recognize that people bring skills and experience to the farm from different paths and backgrounds.

The Ottawa Food Bank values diversity in our workforce. We invite applications from all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities.

The Ottawa Food Bank provides accommodation to persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please let your recruiter know if you require accommodation.