Job Summary
Working with the Economic Development, Employment, Health, Education and Social Development departments the Part-time Gardens Worker provides services for food security through traditional growing, harvesting and preservation methods, provides workshops on these and access to healthy foods to community members.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Finding out community needs for fresh foods (likes/dislikes)
· General maintenance of the gardens every day: planting, weeding, watering, adding fertilizer and compost, harvesting, watching out for pests and diseases and finding the resources or knowledge to address those things if needed
· Successive planting of seeds every 3 weeks so there will be continuous crops through the summer
· Learning about companion planting, pollinators, beneficial insects
· Helping people learn how to harvest, and when (proper picking of veggies)
· Keeping on top of who in the community may be struggling with food security and deliver after harvests
· Being present and learning when an Elder is sharing Native plant knowledge
· Staying on top of what the community lunch is each week and incorporating what is bountiful in the garden that week to bring to the table
· Bringing healthy snacks to the Headstart/Daycare and teaching them how to grow simple seeds
· Getting kids involved and teaching them about plant names, how to water, how to harvest things, etc
· Gathering herbs and berries and such for dehydrating for winter
· Planning food preservation days in the community- canning, drying, dehydrating, etc.
· Getting the community involved in the garden space and making everyone feel comfortable and welcome there
· Gathering and foraging for seasonal foods (berries, mushrooms, nettles, nodding onions, rose hips, etc) – preserving some for winter and transplanting when possible
· Learn more about Native plant knowledge in the area, talk to Elders
· Investigate gardens in other First Nations communities to see what works for them and what doesn’t
· Incorporate language back into the garden by painting signs with the names of different vegetables in our language
· maintenance of garden tools and infrastructure
In the winter:
o plan garden expansions, figure out what foods people need and want more of, work with supervisor and other departments to access resources
Qualifications
Education:
• Working knowledge of gardening and agricultural practices
• Locations of traditional foods and sources, for harvesting and possible transplanting
Competencies:
The Gardens Worker should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:
• Planning and Organizing – Plans and organizes time effectively to meet goals and timetables
• Data Analysis – Gathers, analyzes and acts on information gathered
• Financial Impact – Manages self and resources against plans and budget
• Conflict Resolution – Effectively manages conflicts to resolution
Skills and Abilities:
• Strong communication skills
• Knowledge of the local communities
• Ability to plan and administer program resources
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office
Experience:
• One to two years experience working within agricultural field and/or gardening
• Minimum one year office and administration experience
• Experience working in the area of food security, personal or community based
Working Conditions:
• Outside even in inclement weather conditions
• Can be Physically demanding
Conditions of Employment:
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Criminal Records Check
• Must have and maintain a valid BC Driver’s License
• Must provide a vehicle in good operating condition and appropriate vehicle insurance to meet program requirements
• Must have or be willing to obtain Food Safe and First Aid Level 1 Certification
Salary
• Include your wage expectations
How to apply:
Please visit the Employment Section of the Soda Creek Indian Band website at: www.xatsull.com
1. Please provide a cover letter with salary expectations and availability.
2. Up-to-Date Resume
3. Three work related job references.
Email your application to:
Email: bandadmin@xatsull.com
Mail your application to: Fax to: 250-989-2301
Soda Creek Indian Band
3405 Mountain House Road
Williams Lake, BC V2G 5L5
Re: Gardens
Application Deadline: June 04, 2020 by 4PM
Applications will be accepted by email, fax, or by mail. If hand delivering, please arrange with reception by calling, 250-989-2323
NOTE: Applications received after 4:00PM on June 04, 2020 will not be considered. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Preference will be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry as per Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act.