Garden Lead Facilitator (Part-Time : 15-24 hours / week)

Hogan's Alley Society; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused nonprofit organization in Vancouver seeks a Garden Lead Facilitator to oversee its Garden Program. This role involves developing garden-related educational initiatives and collaborating with local organizations. The ideal candidate has a background in environmental science and experience in community gardening. This position aims to empower residents through land stewardship and food sovereignty initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in community-based gardening or environmental programs.
• Ability to develop educational materials and lead workshops.
• Familiarity with sustainable gardening practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop a weekly schedule for garden work with residents.
• Collaborate with local organizations to enhance the program.
• Plan and execute gardening workshops and events.
• Work with kitchen team on food production for residents.

Skills

Gardening techniques

Community engagement

Mentorship skills

Knowledge of Indigenous practices

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Overview

About Hogan's Alley Society

Hogan's Alley Society (HAS) is a Black-led non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, economic, and cultural well-being of people of African descent in Metro Vancouver. Our work centers on three strategic pillars: culturally informed housing, nonprofit housing development, and community engagement. We lead in developing Afrocentric, affordable housing, particularly through our Hogan's Alley Block initiative, a catalyst for enrichment and belonging grounded in one of Canada's few Black-led Community Land Trusts, to ensure long-term affordability, and prevent further displacement.

About HAS Garden Program

The Garden Program places emphasis on mentorship and learning while providing the residents of Nora Hendrix Place and the broader HAS membership, with a connection to the land that they reside on and a connection to the food that they grow and consume. HAS is seeking a Garden Lead Facilitator that can support education related to Canadian Indigenous and African diasporic Indigenous knowledge and its intersections with other ways of knowing. We are particularly focused on Indigenous food sovereignty, food security, and traditional plant knowledge while increasing residents and community members' knowledge and access to both traditional and non-traditional plant uses.

Scope of Role

Reporting to the Director, Community Care, the Garden Lead Facilitator will join HAS's commitment to reclaim space in Vancouver for Black community development, accelerating HAS's momentum in housing, programming, community organizing, and grassroots partnerships. This role will oversee and lead the HAS Garden Program. As a member of the Community Care team, they will also work collaboratively with other team members in delivering the Community Care Strategy for Social Justice Initiatives which include but are not limited to Housing Support Program and Black / African Diaspora Cultural Support Program.

HAS envisions this role initially focusing on the Garden Program bridging connections to other local initiatives and evolving to collaborate with the Cultural Program Worker on creating programs related to the health, healing, and food sovereignty as related to the Canadian Indigenous and Black / African diaspora, land and environmental stewardship, and Indigenous heritage.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop a weekly schedule for land stewardship work throughout each stage of the renovations with Nora Hendrix Place residents and HAS members.
• Collaborate with local community organizations including other Indigenous gardens, schools, and businesses to establish partnerships and expand garden program learning reach and collaboration.
• Develop educational materials and resources to support the garden program.
• Plan, organize, and lead gardening programs, workshops, and events that support Nora Hendrix Place residents and HAS community members.
• Develop a mentorship program for Nora Hendrix Place residents around land stewardship and learning through the Garden Program.
• Provide hands-on instruction on gardening techniques, plant care, composting, and sustainable gardening practices.
• Work closely with the Nora Hendrix Place kitchen team on planning, growing and harvesting plants that will be used in meals for Nora Hendrix Place residents.
• Develop collaborative relationships with other local gardens to create variety in offerings to Nora Hendrix Place meals (e.g., if gardens are growing different plants and sharing with one another).
• Maintain and beautify garden spaces prioritizing accessibility and safety.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through participant feedback and data collection.
• Expand and update garden use and safety protocols in collaboration with other HAS staff that maintain and protect the safety of workers, residents, HAS members, and guests to the Garden.