Community Program Assistant

What:

Cowichan Green Community (CGC) is looking for a part-time Community Program Assistant to assist with the outdoor Cob Oven activities located in Centennial Park in downtown Duncan. This positon will report to the Program Manager and involves working with young adults at times encountering addiction and mental health issues. The selected candidate must have experience in this realm.

Who:

CGC is a non-profit organization that has been focusing on environmental sustainability in the Cowichan Region since March 2004. CGC’s mandate is to improve food security by developing strong relationships with local food producers, increasing capacity for local food production (both urban and rural), and empowering people with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to feed their community.

Our Vision and Purpose:

We envision a food secure Cowichan nourished by celebrating our connection to food, to our environment and to each other. Cowichan Green Community (CGC) cultivates resilient, inclusive, and healthy local food systems and vibrant social fabric.

Our mission is tocultivate food, community, and resilience.

CGC is a community leader, creating a future where our foundation is built on health and well-being; our environment, economy and social fabric are resilient and inclusive; where we celebrate our connection to the earth and to each other.

CGC is also a hub for social innovation, community engagement and community building.

CGC creates positive change through education, regenerative projects, and celebration.

CGC’s Guiding Principles are evident in all the work that we do: we value inclusion, responsibility, commitment, positive solutions, diversity, collaboration, and environmental reverence.

Our Perks

CGC offers a work environment where you will feel safe and supported. Your successes are our successes, and we will make sure you get what you need to make that happen.

Diversity and Inclusion

CGC believe that communities include everyone, regardless of what you look like, where you’re from, who you love or how you think. Just come as you are and grab a plate. If you eat food and want to help others to do the same, you have a place with us.

Wage: $20.00 per hour

Overview: This position will report directly to the Program Manager and is assisting for the Cob Oven activities. This position is part time, 14-20 hours per week with a three month probationary period.

Duties: This position will be accountable for the following:

Community Outreach

· Make connections with organizational partners who have connections with young adutls in the community

· Connect with young adults experiencing homelessness and/or vulnerable young adults

· Offer young adult resources

· Serve pizza/food to make connections

· Create a pathway for young adults to engage/volunteer with CGC

Cob Oven Events

o Assist with all aspects of the cob oven including:

o Assist with the weekly young adult-focused engagement including supporting with providing support and resources to vulnerable attendees and serving food

o Organize the events including parties and bookings

o Coordinate securing the wood for the oven

o Maintain all the implements, food, supplies and order as required

o Assist with promotion of the oven, including making and distributing posters and social media posts

o Ensure the oven and surrounding area are kept clean and safe

o Communicate with the City of Duncan and Manager with any issues, or vandalism immediately

Reporting:

· Complete incident reports

· Complete debriefing with the Manager as required

· Complete activity reports related to renting the oven and events

Finance:

· Provide the bookkeeper with invoices for all expenses and revenues

Communications:

· Communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, volunteers, partners, sponsors, and community members regarding all CGC related matters

· Meet with the Manager weekly to discuss any issues.

Other Duties:

· Perform other duties as required by the Management Team.

Experience and Knowledge:

· Degree and/or equivalent experience in Community Outreach and Social Work required

· Excellent communication skills and experience working with the young adults

· Training/experience with Non-Violent Communication, De-escalation Skills, Cultural Sensitivity, and Trauma Informed

· Some experience in culinary skills, restaurant and/or catering as asset

· Current First Aid and Food Safe

· Ability to multitask and work independently

· Knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and IT

· Two or more years’ experience at a community non-profit organization an asset

· Able to lift heavy materials and carry boxes

Competencies:

· Adaptability: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

· Relationship Building: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally.

· Communications: Speaks, listens, and writes in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

· Organizational Skills: Adheres to a work schedule and is able to complete all tasks on time.

· Attention to Detail: Maintains high standards of cleanliness.

· Autonomy: Demonstrates initiative and works well independently, adheres to agreed upon work schedule.

· Problem Solver: Addresses any problems or concerns immediately and with satisfactory results

Working Conditions:

· This position requires working mostly inside in a very busy kitchen and outside at the park where the cob oven is located

· This position is part time for 14-20 hours per week. Could lead to more hours if the community event component expands

· Job Type: Permanent, part-time.

Benefits:

· Free parking

· $25/month credit at CGC’s grocery store for recovered food

· Discounted summer camp for employee’s children

· Free access to CGC workshops

· Casual dress code

Vacation and sick days as outlined in CGC’s Employee Handbook

· Annual Cost of Living wage increase based on board approval

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 14 – 20 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Duncan, BC V9L 3W4 (required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Duncan, BC V9L 3W4: Relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person