Food Security Programs Coordinator

Food Security Programs Facilitator

Employer – Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg

Start and End Dates: Full time/ Seasonal (May/Nov) 40hours/week

Location: McQuesten Urban Farm (east side of St. Helen Centre @ McQuesten, 785 Britannia Ave., Hamilton, ON)

Rate of Pay: $22 -$23 / hour

Job Description

• Lead the development and strengthening of neighbourhood food security networks and collaborative initiatives.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local farmers, greenhouses, garden centres, food pantries, community fridges, and other food access organizations.
• Coordinate ongoing communication with the Food Bank, including scheduling, inventory planning, and distribution alignment.
• Support and align initiatives such as Reaching Home and We Are Braided Together within broader food systems goals.
• Identify opportunities for in-kind contributions, fundraising partnerships, and community-based resource development.
• Provide oversight and coordination of urban farm operations, including seasonal crop planning and community distribution priorities.
• Work alongside the Urban Farm team to grow produce, herbs, and medicines for outreach and food access initiatives.
• Support organic growing practices, preservation activities, and community skill-building workshops.
• Ensure farm and greenhouse spaces are animated as community learning environments.
• Guide the development of curriculum-linked, land-based programming for children, youth, and families.
• Support partnerships with Niwasa Early Learning and Child Care programs, EarlyON, schools, and community organizations.
• Collaborate with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to ensure programming rooted in traditional knowledge is delivered respectfully and appropriately.
• Oversee community workshops, outreach activities, and educational presentations.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and scheduling of volunteers and corporate volunteer partnerships.
• Coordinate market days and community distribution events.
• Develop and maintain administrative systems for tracking participation, impact, and program outcomes.
• Contribute to reporting, evaluation, and continuous program improvement.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of food security, food sovereignty, and local food systems.
• Knowledge of urban agriculture, sustainable growing practices, and food preservation techniques.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while guiding collaborative initiatives.
• Experience with program evaluation, data tracking, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in community-based programming and working with children, youth, and families.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in food security initiatives, neighbourhood-based organizing, or urban agriculture projects.
• Demonstrated experience building and sustaining community partnerships.
• Experience working in low-income and culturally diverse communities.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Valid certifications: Vulnerable Sector Check, First Aid/CPR, Food Handler Certificate.
• Second language and local residency considered assets.
• Develop content highlighting programs, partnerships, and food access initiatives for social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
• Support storytelling and community engagement through digital communications.
• Promote workshops, market days, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
• Contribute to impact reporting through photo documentation and community narratives.

Certifications or Equivalent Work Experience (have one): ECE/RECE diploma / Outdoor Environmental Education diploma, Ontario Teaching certification, Social Worker diploma.

Vulnerable Sector check, First Aid/CPR, Food Handlers certificate

NOTE: Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg does not use AI technologies for the purpose of screening or qualifying applicants.