Overview

Community Garden & Compost Assistant

At FoodShare, we advocate for food justice by supporting community-based food initiatives and through ongoing advocacy and public education. Our vision is a Toronto where all people can feed themselves, their loved ones, and their communities with dignity and joy. We operate on a people-first model that values fair compensation, policies that respect a work/life balance and the contributions of our team members at all levels.

Overview

The Community Compost Coordinator leads mid-scale composting and vermicomposting operations at FoodShare Toronto’s zero-waste site, processing up to 300 lbs of food waste each week. This role combines hands-on system management with community education, delivering workshops on composting, soil health, worms, and sustainable gardening.

Working closely with community members, the Coordinator supports the design, setup, and maintenance of local compost systems, building capacity for long-term success. The role also connects community gardens and compost sites across the city with resources, training, and practical tools to produce high-quality finished compost and strengthen local food systems.

Employment in this role is conditional upon obtaining a clear Vulnerable Sector Check, which is required prior to the start date. Additionally, the successful applicant must obtain Food Handler Safety and Standard First Aid + CPR certifications. FoodShare will cover the costs of these certifications.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

Community Compost Operations (On-site):

• Lead the day-to-day management of on-site community composting systems, including three-bin setups
• Install compost systems and train students and community members on proper use and maintenance
• Conduct outreach to increase participation and consistent use of compost systems
• Maintain FoodShare’s vermicomposting system, engaging volunteers in harvesting and packaging worm castings

Community Education & Capacity Building:

• Facilitate workshops and training sessions on food waste reduction, composting, vermiculture, and soil health for 60+ community compost sites across Toronto
• Coordinate site visits to existing and new community compost sites in collaboration with Garden
• Coordinators, facilitating workshops and hands-on learning for community members.
• Plan and lead compost system builds for new sites, including coordinating with Garden Coordinators and preparing all required tools, materials, and supplies.
• Support the Toronto Compost Leaders program through coordinating and delivering workshops, train-the-trainer sessions, worm-share events, and compost builds
• Strengthen community knowledge and skills to support long-term compost system success

Supervision & Training: 

• Supervise and mentor seasonal staff, interns, youth, and placement students involved in compost programs
• Recruit, train, and support community volunteers in composting and vermicomposting best practices
• Ensure safe work environments by implementing standards, training on tool use, and maintaining site safety protocols
• Support additional Urban Agriculture initiatives as needed (e.g., School Grown, Sunshine Garden, garden installations)

Administration & Reporting:

• Track, monitor, and evaluate compost system performance; prepare reports using collected data
• Maintain accurate and secure records and documentation
  Coordinate with the Communications team to document and share stories, photos, and measurable impacts of composting initiatives across platforms.
• Support site visits from funders, partners, schools, and community groups
• Contribute to evaluation processes and funder reporting requirements
• Conduct monthly health and safety inspections; ensure tools and equipment are well maintained
• Follow all Health & Safety protocols and organizational policies
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and administrative tasks, and take on additional duties as required

Required Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

• 2+ years of experience and interest in working with compost and vermicompost systems
• 2+years of experience and knowledge with organic gardening principles and practices, including growing food in urban environments,
• Experience facilitating workshops and teaching about food and compost with people of diverse communities – comfortable independently facilitating groups
• Great people skills (good at delegating tasks, helping people feel valued, energizing groups, managing conflict)
• Experience in handling power tools such as a circular saw, drills, and other tools
• Excellent workshop facilitation skills with the ability to think quickly to creatively solve a problem
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages, genders, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and individuals who have experienced marginalization
• Strong communication and organizational skills, great attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of food justice
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team
• Familiar and proficient with G-Suite (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Gmail), Microsoft Office, Adobe, Zoom, Canva and computer applications

Job Requirements:

• This position is required to work in-person at the main FoodShare office at 120 Industry St. or other partner locations across Toronto as needed.
• Sites visit to other community compost locations across the city of toronto
• Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, lifting, and reaching.
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet.
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
• Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold).
• Fully graduated G driver’s license. (Considered an asset)
• Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role. If you do not have your own vehicle, you may use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
• A valid Ontario G License, a minimum of 3 years of insured experience, with no major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Driver’s Abstract may be required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
• To be available on weekends and outside of regular business hours on occasion

Please note that the successful applicant will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check and Emergency First Aid certification. FoodShare will cover the cost of these certifications.

Tagged as: Nonprofit

Compensation

Total Compensation

• Salary: $56,000/ Annually (prorated at 3day/week or 22.5hrs/week)*
• Contract Type: Fixed term - Part time, from June 2026 to December 18, 2026, with the opportunity for extension
• Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation per year, prorated based on start date
• Health Benefit: FoodShare Benefit Reimbursement of up to $1,500 per calendar year, prorated based on start date.

Additional Leave

• Personal Leave Days: 10 paid personal leave days per year, prorated based on start date
• Wellness Days: 20 paid wellness days/sick leave per year, prorated based on start date

*Note: As part of FoodShare’s commitment to equity, salaries and benefits are non-negotiable Additional Information:

• Reports to: Community Food Growing Senior Manager
• Supervises: Seasonal Youth hired through Canada Summer Jobs and Focus on Youth students, Co-op Students and Interns.
• Location: 120 Industry St. or other partner locations across Toronto

How to Apply

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00pm by Wednesday May 20, 2026.

• Selection Process: FoodShare’s recruitment process involves the anonymization of all resumes prior to their being screened by the hiring committee. This step removes applicant personal details (names, email, addresses), educational & employment institutions, years of work experience, and personal interests to reduce potential for bias. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 3 weeks from the application deadline.
• The hiring committee will review anonymized versions of the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• The hiring committee will conduct first round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours in advance of their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome, but not expected or required, to send any questions they have for the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview, FoodShare financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
• HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement, which the candidate will have at least 3 business days to review and return.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! FoodShare is a food justice organization. This means that we are committed to working to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression that cause and perpetuate food security inequities. Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity and poverty statistics, but are significantly under-represented in community based food organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging poverty and food insecurity. FoodShare strives to create a workspace that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. If you see yourself reflected in 80% of the requirements for this role, please consider applying. If you require accommodation when navigating the application process, please contact: hr@foodshare.net