School Program Facilitator

Job Opportunity with Roots Community Food Centre

School Program Facilitator

The School Program Facilitator position will assist with the development and facilitation of food workshops and programs for youth in schools and community during the school year. The position will also facilitate our urban youth farm program May through August.

As prescribed by our funding for this position, candidates must:

• Be new entrants into the workforce, transitioning to a new career, or the unemployed or underemployed who are entering a new field;
• Have not previously participated in a NOHFC-funded internship;
• Be available for full-time, continuous work for 52 weeks;
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Reside, and be legally entitled to work, in Canada.

The Basics:

Job Term: 1 year with the possibility of extension
Start: May 2025. Weekend and evening work will be required.
Wage: $24/hr; 40 hrs/week, full benefits after 3 months.
Location: Thunder Bay, ON

About us:

Roots Community Food Centre is first and foremost about working with people—in particular, youth and young adults. We seek to create meaningful opportunities to engage our community, using food as the medium to connect with the community and each other. We work hard to find the delicate balance between challenge and achievement in all of our programs and projects.

Our approach:

Roots CFC is a small, grassroots organization that works in many sectors of our community. Every position involves elements of organizational development and maintenance. We aim to foster a workplace that is transparent, inclusive, progressive, and productive. As staff, we work collaboratively, we work hard, we do what needs to be done, and we try to keep the big picture in mind.

There’s no real typical day at Roots CFC, and schedules often change depending on the weather, who shows up, or what’s going on in the world. We work hard to be nimble and adaptable for the changing needs of the folks we work with. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, multifaceted, energizing, and rewarding work environment that will challenge you, then we want to hear from you!

This position will co-facilitate our Urban Youth Farm Program in July and August, co-lead our Academic Year Program from September through May, and be a part of our schools program team. Daily activities involve lifting, bending, and working in all types of weather.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will work with schools and the youth team to develop food connection programs locally and in our region. Specifically, responsibilities include:

• Co-lead an 8-week supportive employment program during July and August for 16-18 year olds at a large urban agriculture site in Thunder Bay (physical, outdoor work every day);
• Co-lead a 35-week supportive youth employment program during the school months;
• Work closely with teachers and students during the school year to facilitate food literacy and outreach activities in local schools;
• Design, adapt, and deliver fun, engaging, age-appropriate workshops for youth that explore food experientially;
• Maintain or establish good communication and collaboration with community partners;
• Support all program evaluation activities including adapting evaluation tools, data collection, and analysis as needed;
• Participate in ongoing Roots CFC operations, day-to-day work, and new opportunities as they arise.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with others, including in a facilitation role;
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse community (people of different ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, etc.);
• Strong oral speaking, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Experience and enjoyment cooking for groups or family;
• Knowledge of traditional foodways is an asset;
• Knowledge of Oji-Cree language is an asset;
• Knowledgeable and informed world view of inequities experienced by populations in northern Ontario;
• Very comfortable and enjoy working with teenagers and adults;
• Able to lift 50 lbs and work physically outdoors in all types of weather;
• Valid Class G driver’s license with a clean driving record;
• Current safe food handling and first aid certification (or willingness to get within the first three months of employment);
• Record of two COVID-19 vaccinations (this is a public-facing job working with many vulnerable populations).

Application Process:

Please submit a resume (including references) and cover letter to info@rootscfc.org by Thursday, May 1st at 4 pm and reference the job title in your email.

Roots CFC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We offer 100% paid benefits after 3 months, matching RRSP contributions after 1 year, 3 weeks paid vacation, increasing by one day each year, and 2 non-standard paid statutory holidays (National Indigenous People’s Day and Truth & Reconciliation Day).