Inclusive Garden and Wellness Support - Extend-A-Family Kingston

Extend-A-Family Kingston Acknowledges that we are situated on traditional Anishinabek (Ah- nish-in-ah-bay), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen·dat) territory and is the home for many Indigenous peoples. We are grateful to have the opportunity to reside and work on this land. 

Promoting  Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a top priority for Extend-A-Family Kingston. At Extend-A-Family Kingston, we believe diversity is associated with higher productivity and retention levels. We are aware of a global study by McKinsey & Company that found that those companies that had more diversity were more likely to outperform on profitability and the number of clients served, and the ones that didn’t take diversity into account were less likely to experience profitability above the same sector average.  Extend-A-Family Kingston is committed to providing equitable, inclusive and barrier-free employment opportunities and quality services by establishing a qualified and culturally sensitive workforce that reflects the diverse community it serves, as well as to fostering a working environment that respects people’s dignity, ideas and beliefs, thereby ensuring equity and diversity in recruitment, selection, promotion, learning and development processes meet the requirements of the OHRC, AODA and any other applicable legislation.  

Extend-A-Family Kingston provides individuals with disabilities and their families with coordinated access to regional services, respite, inclusive programs, and opportunities for personal growth, development, and achievement of life goals.

We are presently inviting applications for the position of:

• Inclusive Garden and Wellness Support
• Full-Time Position (8-week contract)
• $19.00/hour

Extend-A-Family Kingston is a cutting-edge organization exploring and integrating innovative ways to support people with a developmental disability. Extend-A-Family Kingston has implemented a hydroponic garden that is being integrated into our program cycle. This climate-controlled hydroponic greenhouse provides herbs and vegetables to approximately 500 individuals (120 families) year-round. Our Diversity Garden is part of the Kingston Community Garden Network and provides a peaceful space for our community to gather and play.

This position will work in Extend-A-Family Kingston's Hydroponic Greenhouse and Diversity Garden to provide support to these growing spaces.

Duties include:

• Engage with the full lifecycle of indoor hydroponic garden and outdoor Diversity Garden from seed-to-table
• Harvest hydroponic lettuce and leafy greens.
• Process and package produce for distribution.
• Monitor health of plants using pH meter and EC meter.
• Gather data about seedlings and hydroponic plant growth.
• Maintain and clean production areas.
• Weed, water, and prune vegetable crops and flower beds.
• Provide event set-up and support, both on and off-site
• Act as an ambassador for Extend-A-Family’s Garden programs.

Position Requirements:

• Comfortable in fast paced environment, flexibility when demands change.
• Attention to maintaining cleanliness and food safety.
• Interest in gardening and local food systems.
• Ability to work independently and within a team structure.
• Job conditions: Lifting 42lbs, standing for long hours, working outdoors.
• Police Record Check - CPIC including Vulnerable Sector screening.
• Proof of all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada.

Assets:

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Standard First Aid, CPR
• Sign language (ASL)
• Under the legislative requirements of the French Language Services Act, French language competency is an asset.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their resume and a written summary of why this position interests them and outline specific areas of strengths and experience relative to the work.

Please submit your resume (with cover letter) to:

Mindy Kish, Executive Administrative Support - Extend-A-Family Kingston

Email: mkish@eafkingston.com

Competition: HGO2025

Extend-A-Family Kingston is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders, including our clients, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and its associated standards and regulations. Please call our office at (613) 544-8939 ext.1108 to discuss if you require accommodation.