Community Garden Coordinator

Community GardensPosition: Senior Coordinator, Community GardenOrganization: Building RootsLocation: Moss Park / Downtown East, TorontoCompensation: $29.00/hourHours: Up to 30 hours/week during peak seasonContract Term: March 2026 – October 2026Application Deadline: February 27, 2026Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.About Building RootsBuilding Roots is a community-based organization rooted in Moss Park, working to increase access to healthy food, strengthen community connection, and support dignity, belonging, and local leadership.Our Community Garden is a shared space for growing food, learning together, and building relationships that foster a supportive, inclusive community.Position OverviewThe Senior Coordinator, Community Garden plays a central role in supporting the Moss Park Community Garden as a welcoming, inclusive, and community-led space. This role focuses on garden workshops and events, peer-led activities, food growing and harvesting, and broader community engagement connected to Building Roots' programs.Working closely with the Coordinator, Community Garden, Director, Community Engagement and Manager, Food Programs, the Senior Coordinator helps ensure the garden is accessible, well-animated, and responsive to the needs and interests of community members with a strong emphasis on outreach, relationship-building, and community presence on weekends.Key ResponsibilitiesGarden Programming & WorkshopsDevelop, coordinate, and facilitate community garden workshops and seasonal eventsDeliver beginner- to intermediate-level workshops on topics such as:Plant care, soil health, and basic food growingHarvesting and seasonal garden maintenancePollinator plants and/or other topics related to local plant and food growingAdapt workshops to be accessible to families, children, youth, seniors, and community members facing barriers (including language, confidence, or prior experience)Peer-Led & Community-Led Activities Support peer-led garden workshops and activities, including preparation and facilitation supportEncourage participation and leadership from community membersSupport outreach and relationship-building to increase engagement in garden activities including regular Saturday outreach at the market, sharing food from the garden, as well as informal community check-insProgram collaboration for Community Leaders Program including creating content, facilitation and other activities as needed for support of this and other community programsGarden Operations & Food GrowingSupport planting, growing, harvesting, and maintenance of the community gardenAssist with organizing tools, supplies, and shared garden resourcesWork outdoors in varied weather conditions and support physical garden tasks as neededCommunity Engagement & DocumentationBuild positive, respectful relationships with garden participants and community membersSupport program documentation and reporting, with guidance from the Director of Community Engagement and Executive DirectorStay organized and up to date with reporting, attendance tracking, and activity documentationContribute to a welcoming, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction-aligned environmentPosition DetailsHours: Up to 30 hours per week during the main growing season (April–October); reduced hours in MarchSchedule requirements:Must be available to work Saturdays, and Sundays as needed, throughout the growing season, including some holiday long weekends.Additional weekday hours will be scheduled in coordination with the Garden Coordinator, garden open hours, and program needsContract: Fixed-term contract for the 2026 growing season (March–October). Exact start date to be mutually agreed upon.Skills & ExperienceWe are looking for someone who brings practical skills, strong communication, and a community-centred approach. Formal accreditation is not required.Required / Strongly DesiredHands-on gardening knowledge and experienceAbility to explain and demonstrate gardening concepts in accessible, engaging waysAt least 1-2 years experience creating and facilitating workshops for a variety of groupsExperience working with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiencesA collaborative, enthusiastic approach and comfort working as part of a small, interconnected teamStrong relationship-building skills and ease engaging with community members in informal and structured settingsAbility to work outdoors and support physical tasks (e.G. lifting, bending, standing)Comfort using basic technology and digital tools for communication, scheduling, and documentationAssetsConnection to Moss Park or surrounding neighbourhoodsLived experience of poverty, food insecurity, or other forms of marginalizationExperience in community gardens, food access programs, or peer-led initiativesMultilingual skillsExperience using CRM for volunteer or community engagement (e.G. Bloomerang)Familiarity with SlackTraining in trauma-informed facilitation; first aid; harm reduction; or conflict resolutionEquity & Hiring StatementBuilding Roots is committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, people with lived experience of poverty or food insecurity, newcomers, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our team.We intentionally deprioritize paid accreditation in our hiring process and prioritize lived experience, community knowledge, and transferable skills. While formal training and certifications may be considered, they are not required and will not be used to exclude candidates.How To ApplyPlease submit a brief cover letter or written statement outlining why you are interested in the role as well as a resume or summary of relevant experience.Submit your application by email to: Applications accepted until 5pm est February 27, 2026. Please mention you saw this