Program Support - Community Garden

Position Title: Program Support – Community Garden

Employment Status: Temporary Full-time (12 months)

Position Status: This is a Bargaining Unit position. All terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement apply.

This posting is for a new vacancy

Hours of Work Schedule: 35 hours per week

Annualized salary range: $41,773.00 – $43,427.00 commensurate on skills and experience, plus participation in HOOPP and Group Benefits.

Hiring Manager: Manager, Integrated Care & Experience

Primary Location: South Oshawa (with flexibility to transition to/work at other DCHC sites as required).

Organization

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is a registered, charitable organization that provides integrated, accessible, and equitable community-based primary care, wellness services, and health education to Durham community members who face multiple barriers to their health and well-being.

DCHC also provides equity-based programs and services that focus on priority populations such as Indigenous, Black, the 2SLGBTQI Community, Newcomers to Canada, Seniors, and Unattached patients (i.e., those without a family doctor), to name a few. DCHC ensures Durham community members receive not only sick care, but preventive care as well.

At DCHC, we are a team-based interprofessional group of staff including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors, dietitians, outreach workers, medical secretaries, and other administrative staff. We always place every client at the centre of our approach to care, based on their needs. We address these needs through integrated clinical and wellness care and health education.

It's an exciting time to be joining DCHC, while we are embarking on an energizing path with a focus on making our biggest impact yet on local health care by diversifying, expanding, and leveraging our Strategic Plan, Theory of Change, Brand, Client Stories and Resources.

DCHC’s 2023 – 2026 Strategic Goals

• Drive Program and Service Integration and Client Experience Across All that DCHC Does
• Evolve Program Offerings to Improve Health Equity and Meet the Needs of DCHC’s Priority Populations Drive Program and Service Integration and Client Experience Across All that DCHC Does
• Evolve Program Offerings to Improve Health Equity and Meet the Needs of DCHC’s Priority Populations
• Establish DCHC as a System Advocate and Champion for Equity
• Enhance DCHC’s Brand and Awareness Across Durham Region
• Become an Employer of Choice with a Focus on Recruitment, Retention, and Development

Position Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Integrated Care & Experience, the Program Support – Community Garden plays a key coordination and administrative role in supporting Durham Community Health Centre’s Growing Together initiative. This position supports the transition of the community garden from a contracted service model to a volunteer-led, community-driven food security and wellness hub.

The role provides logistical, administrative, and coordination support for garden operations, volunteer engagement, workshops, and community programming. Working closely with internal teams, volunteers, and community partners, the Program Support helps ensure the garden remains an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable resource for community members, particularly those experiencing food insecurity, social isolation, or barriers to access.

This position also supports DCHC’s broader food security, health promotion, social prescribing, and community development goals, including planning, coordination, and volunteer engagement activities throughout the year, even during periods when garden operations are reduced.

Program Coordination and Operational Responsibilities

• Actively contributes to a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for community members, volunteers, and partners using a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and equity-based approach.
• Provide administrative and coordination support for the Growing Together Community Garden, including scheduling, logistics, and communication related to planting, maintenance, harvesting, workshops, and events.
• Support the transition to a volunteer-led garden model by assisting with volunteer coordination, onboarding, scheduling, and communication.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Community Garden, ensuring smooth coordination of daily activities, supplies, volunteer support, and adherence to seasonal work plans.
• Act as a liaison between DCHC programs, volunteers, community members, and external partners involved in food security, wellness, and garden-related initiatives.
• Assist with planning and delivery of garden-based workshops, social gatherings, and skill-building activities that promote food literacy, inclusion, and community connection.
• Support integration of garden produce into DCHC food security programs, healthy eating classes, and other community initiatives.
• Maintain awareness and understanding of DCHC programs, services, and health promotion priorities, including social prescribing opportunities connected to the Outdoor Wellness and Recreation Hub.
• Perform day-to-day Program Support duties, including responding to community inquiries, maintaining records, scanning, photocopying, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support tracking of garden activities, volunteer participation, and basic reporting requirements as requested.
• Complete procurement forms, purchase orders, and support supply coordination related to garden operations and programming.
• Participate in internal and external committees, working groups, or projects related to food security, community development, or health equity as assigned.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and team activities as requested.
• Demonstrate flexibility to work at or travel between DCHC sites and community locations, as required.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of relevant administrative or coordination experience, preferably in a community health service, social services, or community development setting.
• Minimum one-year post-Secondary education at a Community College.
• Demonstrated understanding of food insecurity, health equity, and issues impacting marginalized and priority populations, including newcomers, seniors, unsheltered individuals, racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQ+ populations.
• Strong organizational, time management, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience working with volunteers, community members, and diverse stakeholders in a collaborative and respectful manner
• Sensitivity and awareness of cultural, racial, economic, and socially diverse communities.
• Proven experience in program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Capacity to maintain professional links with partner agencies, colleges, and universities.
• Experience working with diverse agencies and working successfully in partnership with these agencies.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the local health and social service sector, government programs and current legislation that may affect clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, to anticipate potential problems/conflicts and take appropriate actions and to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member within an evolving role in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and general office software; experience with digital communication tools is an asset.
• Must be able to work in a variety of social and physical settings.
• Ability to provide support and input into departmental objectives as aligned with Agency’s Strategy, to assist in evaluating and continuously improving work processes.
• This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for travel to various DCHC sites, meetings, and events.
• A valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle are required.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position (DCHC will however adhere to its duty to accommodate those who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason related to a human right protected ground).

Application Process:

1. While we thank all applicants for their interest in applying, only those qualified andconsidered for an interview will be contacted. All applicant submissions will be kept on file for six months, for future consideration.
2. All applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.
3. All positions are subject to the successful completion of the following pre-employment conditions for all external hires: Reference Checks; and Criminal Background checks (including Vulnerable Sector Screening).
4. Please be advised that AI Technology supports the screening process of applications. All final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is committed to creating