FarmFolk CityFolk is hiring two Seed Program Coordinators in the Vancouver Island and Interior Regions!
ABOUT FarmFolk CityFolk
FarmFolk CityFolk (FFCF) is a not-for-profit society connecting, empowering, and inspiring people to strengthen BC’s sustainable food systems. We develop, operate, and act as a catalyst for projects that support access to and production of local, sustainable food; support local growers and producers; provide access to and protection of farmland; and connect, educate, and celebrate with communities across BC. For over 25 years FFCF has been a leader in local food and sustainable agriculture working with businesses, policymakers, NGO partners, government, universities, and the public to achieve our mandate.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Seed Program Coordinator to join the team.
The successful candidate will liaise with one or more Ministry of Agriculture, Fish, and Food Food Hubs to facilitate the placement, storage, maintenance, and lending coordination of seed cleaning equipment along with helping design and deliver related extension activities. You will be coordinating the loaning out of this shared equipment in the form of a mobile trailer, including delivery of the unit, demonstrating how to use various pieces of equipment, and helping farmers clean their seeds.
As well, you will have the chance to work with a team delivering a wide range of public-focused and farmer-focused programs and events. We work closely with community partners across BC, and are a regional coordinator for the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security with partners across the country. You may be coordinating field days for farmers or the public, and delivering seed saving workshops. You know your way around the GSuite and social media, and are a good communicator.
We are looking for someone already familiar with mixed vegetable farming in BC. Maybe you grew up on a farm in the region, or finished a Sustainable Ag program or practicum. You understand the seasonal cycle of farming, and know enough about crop production to communicate well with other farmers. You’re not scared of getting dirty or using farm equipment, and you are comfortable hauling a truck and trailer. Seed saving experience is a strong asset.
Responsibilities
- Maintain seed cleaning equipment, and facilitate repairs as needed
- Help develop a farmer training program, specifically around seed growing best practices and seed cleaning, and then deliver training to farmers in your region
- Support the Seed Trailer Tour, travelling with it across your region to farms, and supporting farmers in processing seeds
- Support the Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement Project, including liaising with farmers across BC
- Support other BC Seed Security Programming, including the biennial Seed Gathering, Farmer and public seed workshops, Citizen Seed Trial, and the Seedy Saturday capacity building project
- Work closely with BC Seed Security Program Manager to refine and enhance existing programs based on participant feedback and emerging best practices.
- Support the gathering of data and stories to evaluate and celebrate program results.
- Make program cost requests to the Manager.
- Support grant writing and overall fundraising initiatives.
- Participate actively in strategic plan development.
- Ensure all initiatives align with board approved strategic plan.
- Develop an annual work plan ensuring alignment with Managers annual goals.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners including but not limited to funders, donors, partner organizations, farmers and the public.
- Develop communications content such as newsletter articles and social media, ensuring strategic and brand alignment as well as following communications guidelines.
- Maintain organized, clear, and comprehensive files and written procedures for all aspects of the role.
- Develop volunteer roles and recruit, train, supervise, support and evaluate them.
- Support tracking and reporting for grants.
- Other related duties as required to fulfill the role.
Hiring Requirements
- Experience in applied farming, including seed saving
- Experience in program coordination
- Diploma in a related field such as sustainable agriculture, or a combination of experience and training.
- Deep knowledge of, and passion for, sustainable food systems.
- Tech savvy and proficient in word-processing, databases, websites, G Suite, and email.
- Physical mobility, and willingness to move through a range of outdoor work environments, including lifting and digging
- Organized and able to juggle multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
- Willingness to learn, commitment to personal growth and accountability, enthusiasm for experimenting with new tactics and tools. Honest, kind, and hard-working.
- Ability to inspire, motivate, and support volunteers.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends. Ability to travel with expenses paid.
- Access to a reliable vehicle and a valid drivers license
- Comfortable driving a truck with a trailer.
Role details
Application deadline: July 25, 2021
Wage: $21.98/ hour, 35 hours per week. 3 weeks paid vacation/ year. Benefits package available after 3 months employment.
Start date: Monday Sept 7, 2021. This will start as an 8 month position until March 31, 2022, with a very, very strong possibility of extension once funding is confirmed.
The successful candidate will need a reliable, fast internet connection and personal computer (if this is a barrier, please let us know). All necessary software will be provided.
Location: We are hiring for two positions in different regions of BC. One candidate will be in close proximity to Saanich on Vancouver Island, and the other near Kamloops in the Interior region.
This role may be funded partially by a wage subsidy. Please indicate clearly in your cover letter if you are
- Under 30 years of age
- Underemployed or unemployed
- A recent graduate
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee in Canada
- Have previously been hired under a Youth Employment Skills Strategy grant
FFCF staff and board are committed to an anti-oppression learning journey, and committed to integrating justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into our work and workplace culture. We humbly acknowledge that we have a long way to go. We strongly encourage BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, individuals from other diverse communities to apply.
TO APPLY
In order to apply, email David Catzel, BC Seed Security Program Manager at bcseeds@farmfolkcityfolk.ca
Please:
- use the subject line ‘Seed Security Program Coordinator’
- send one pdf file containing both your cover letter and resume
- use the file name ‘Seed Farm Program Coordinator – First Name Last Name’
We thank all applicants for their interest but only those receiving an interview will be contacted.
When applying, please mention you saw this posting at youngagrarians.org
LEARN MORE ABOUT FarmFolk CityFolk and
Website: farmfolkcityfolk.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/FarmFolkCityFolk
Instagram: @farmfolkcityfolk