Job Description
The Backyard Urban Farm Company (BUFCO) is an award winning, family-run, organic vegetable landscaping company that designs, installs, plants and maintains edible and native pollinator flower gardens for residential and commercial clients throughout the Toronto area. Our mission is to inspire, educate and empower urbanites to grow their own food and help them to reconnect with nature.
We develop and elevate committed, self-motivated nature-lovers who want to build a career in the organic land care profession. We provide exciting opportunities for all team members to enhance their skills, develop their interests, and test their limits in an encouraging, supportive, equitable and fun environment. We strongly value and believe in diversity, and encourage all to apply. If the opportunity to join our team excites you, and you are driven to provide excellence in every endeavor, then BUFCO is the home for you.
Position Summary:
As a BUFCO Greenhouse Laborer you report to the Greenhouse Technician and Garden Manager. You are an avid plant lover, passionate about caring for and nurturing plants, and excited about urban agriculture. You are familiar with ecological and organic techniques of growing food. You are motivated and enthusiastic and enjoy working in both a team environment or on your own.
You are a fast learner with a high aptitude for precision and efficiency. You are extremely well organized. You embrace the opportunity to build new systems and are patient with the process of testing them to perfection. You tackle repetitive tasks with enthusiasm, and challenge yourself to maximize efficiencies.
Responsibilities:
Care and maintenance of thousands of vegetable, herb, fruit and flower seedlings starting from seed:
- Sow and pot up seedlings in a systematic manner.
- Precise water according to each plant’s needs.
- Monitor for disease, pests, and other changes in plant health.
- Prevent conditions that compromise plant health.
- Advocate for plant care, ensure plants are cared for over weekends and holidays.
- Maintain the greenhouse and nursery, ensure it is clean, neat, tidy, and well organized.
- Assemble and attach plant labels.
Other:
- Assist with in-the-field garden installations and planting/gardening when requested.
- Assist and engage with customers picking up, prevent customers from entering greenhouse.
Other:
- This position may be eligible for the Horticultural Technician 441C Apprenticeship Program.
- With apologies, only successful applicants will be contacted.
Qualifications
Education:
Skills & Professional Training
Experience:
- At least 1-year experience working in vegetable gardens or greenhouse, including your own home-based gardens or horticultural education.
- Some knowledge of organic gardening practices including plant identification, pest and disease recognition and remediation.
Skills And Qualifications:
- A valid G-class license and clean driving record is beneficial.
- An excellent listener with strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Able to take direction, and follow through accurately.
- Able to work cooperatively in a team environment and as well independently.
- Able to take initiative and pursue or suggest self-directed tasks.
- Intermediate knowledge of technology and smart phone savvy.
- Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Maps) is a plus.
Assets:
- First Aid and Health and Safety training is beneficial.
- Passionate about growing food and urban agriculture.
- A love of being outdoors, rain or shine.
- Able to be adaptable and flexible with changing weather and daily schedules, accepting that some days may be longer than other days.
- Some weekend work may be required.
- Photography skills are an asset.
- Customer service experience is an asset.
Compensation
$19 to $21/hour
Benefits
Health Spending Account
Application Instructions
- Click APPLY ONLINE
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- Complete your information
- Upload the required documents
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Additional Application Instructions:
Cover letter encouraged
Applications Must Include:
Resume
