Long Term Care Garden Facilitator

Long Term Care Garden Facilitator

The Long Term Care Garden Facilitator position with The Giving Garden in Mississauga, Ontario, offers a unique opportunity to blend passion for gardening with a commitment to enhancing the lives of long term care residents. As a facilitator, you will play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining accessible vegetable gardens within LTC homes, fostering a sense of community and promoting active engagement among residents and staff.

Your responsibilities will include establishing and tending to raised garden beds, conducting weekly garden clubs, developing educational programs, coordinating harvests and cultivating a collaborative garden culture within the LTC homes.

This role is ideal for individuals with a background in ecological vegetable gardening or farming, coupled with experience in facilitating workshops and educational programs. A key aspect of the job involves creating meaningful and inclusive opportunities for LTC residents of all abilities to participate in gardening activities.

This requires not only practical gardening skills but also a genuine passion for connecting with seniors, individuals with memory loss or dementia and designing accessible programming that fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.

The Giving Garden values creativity, independence and initiative making this position suitable for candidates who can think outside the box and take ownership of their work.

The hourly rate of $25 reflects the organization’s commitment to compensating skilled individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of LTC residents through gardening and community building.

If you are someone who enjoys working in a dynamic environment, creating engaging experiences and making a difference in the lives of others, this role offers a fulfilling and rewarding opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.

The Giving Garden’s Long Term Care (LTC) Program aims to empower long term care residents by providing them with opportunities to cultivate a sense of community, nurture their living environment and enhance their quality of life through growing nutritious food and sharing it with others.

Our initiative involves creating accessible gardens using mobile raised beds, encouraging active participation from all LTC residents.

We are currently seeking individuals with a background in gardening, food cultivation, horticultural therapy or community garden education to oversee two vegetable gardens within LTC homes in Mississauga. This position requires a commitment of 10 hours per week on a part time contract basis from May to November offering a competitive pay rate of $25 per hour.

Responsibilities

1. Establishing and maintaining vegetable gardens in raised beds including regular maintenance visits and engaging LTC staff and residents in gardening activities.
2. Assisting LTC home staff with watering and general garden upkeep.
3. Organizing weekly interactive garden clubs for LTC residents and staff to promote their active involvement in garden related tasks.
4. Developing and implementing weekly garden programs and educational sessions for LTC residents and staff members.
5. Coordinating garden harvests with LTC kitchen staff and managing donations to community organizations.
6. Cultivating a collaborative and inclusive garden culture within LTC homes.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

1. Minimum of one year of experience in ecological vegetable gardening or farming.
2. Proficiency in facilitating educational workshops and programs.
3. Passion for creating meaningful engagement opportunities for LTC residents and staff, focusing on accessibility and community driven initiatives.
4. Strong written communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently, think creatively and take initiative.
6. Experience working with seniors, individuals with memory loss or dementia and implementing accessible programming is beneficial.
7. Knowledge of therapeutic gardening or horticultural therapy is an asset.
8. Willingness and ability to travel between garden locations in Mississauga with access to a vehicle for transporting materials.
9. Capability to lift and move heavy materials such as garden beds and soil.

Other Requirements

1. Proof of at least two COVID 19 vaccinations.
2. Clear vulnerable sector police check.
3. TB skin test clearance.
4. Compliance with all health and safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Application Process

To apply for this position, please send your cover letter and resume to zoe@orangelilygroup.ca. The deadline for applications is Sunday, April 14th. Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews in mid April with a planned start date in May. Please mention that you found this job posting on GoodWork.ca.

FAQs

What is the duration of the Long Term Care Garden Facilitator position?

The position is part time and runs from May to November, requiring a commitment of 10 hours per week.

What are the responsibilities of a Long Term Care Garden Facilitator?

Responsibilities include establishing and maintaining vegetable gardens, conducting interactive garden clubs, developing garden programs, coordinating harvests and fostering a collaborative garden culture within LTC homes.

What qualifications are required for this role?

Applicants should have at least one year of ecological vegetable gardening experience, experience in facilitating educational workshops, a passion for creating engagement opportunities for LTC residents, good communication skills and the ability to work independently.

Are there any specific requirements for applicants?

Yes, applicants must provide proof of two COVID 19 vaccinations, undergo a vulnerable sector police check, obtain clearance for a TB skin test and adhere to all health and safety protocols.

How can I apply for this position?

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to zoe@orangelilygroup.ca before the application deadline of April 14th.

Is transportation required for this role?

Yes, applicants should have access to a vehicle as they may need to travel between garden locations in Mississauga and transport materials such as garden beds and soil.

What is the hourly rate for this position?

The hourly rate is $25.

When will interviews be conducted for selected candidates?

Interviews are expected to take place in mid April with a planned start date in May for successful candidates.

Is experience in therapeutic gardening or horticultural therapy necessary?

While not mandatory, experience in these areas is considered an asset for this role.