Community Garden Grow Assistant

Job title: Community Garden Grow Assistant

Reports to: Community Garden Coordinator

Job location: 57 martin Cresent, Millbrook, Nova Scotia

Wage: $19.50 / hour

Hours: 35 hours per week (15-week internship)

Start Date: Expected May 11, 2026

Number of Positions: 2

This position is designated and limited to applicants from the following groups:

• Indigenous People (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit)

Employment Hiring

Clean Foundation is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes applications from qualified self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Racialized Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on our registration form.

About the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program

The Clean Leadership Summer Internship program helps grow the clean economy by matching interns (age 15-30) with employers for 9- and 15-week summer work placements. Participating interns will receive paid hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, take part in a professional development conference and training, while supporting local environmental projects.

Program Requirements

• Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of internship;
• From and/or residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship;
• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer

About the host employer

Millbrook Parks, Recreation & Youth office located in Millbrook First Nation, just outside of Truro, NS. Parks, Recreation & Youth works with various departments within the Millbrook First Nation to deliver and implement high quality sport, recreation and physical activity opportunities throughout the community. This collaborative approach to overall health and wellbeing allows us to provide safe and effective services and programs to the community. Parks, Recreation & Youth includes all of the parks, trails, playgrounds, recreation facilities, youth centre and community gardens.

With the recent Community Garden and the Coordinator position, there have also been an additional focus placed on food security run by the Parks, Recreation & Youth department.

The interns will have office space at 57 Martin Cresent in Millbrook, and will be working on site at the Community Garden on Brooks Lane and the Community Greenhouse on Tower Road.

Summary of position

In this position, you will be mainly responsible for the care of all plants at the greenhouse, community garden and beautification project sites, as well as assisting with the facilitating of multiple community events and workshops. Typical days will start with plant care in the mornings, or as long as weather permits, and will eventually shift to planning and facilitating in the office. The successful candidate needs to have a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle as well as a laptop and internet access. They should be comfortable with long hours on their feet and in hot and humid conditions in the outdoors and in the greenhouse. They should be able to safely lift up to 50 lbs and be able to dress appropriately for all working conditions.

Working under the direction of the Community Garden Coordinator, the Community Garden Grow Assistant will help to support various projects and events in Millbrook throughout the summer months. These include, but are not limited to; Millbrook Community Garden BBQ’s, community cleanup events, skill based cooking workshops, the Millbrook Growing at Home project, CSA box program, and regular Community Garden maintenance. In addition to this work, the Community Garden Grow Assistant will also support building projects for garden beds and trellises, beautification projects throughout the community, and planning stages for the Millbrook Greenhouse and educational trail systems.

Community Grow Assistant will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of various community garden events and day to day operations of the community garden. This includes but it not limited to; planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Starting and caring for seedlings and transplants
• Regular planting and plant care at both the community garden and greenhouse (including watering, thinning, pest and disease control, pruning, weeding, etc.)
• Regular harvesting, and measuring of produce
• Collecting and preserving seeds for future planting
• -Beautification projects through out the community
• Assist in developing informative trail systems highlighting traditionally foraged foods
• Dispersing and processing of harvest through multiple pathways including monthly workshops and BBQs to help build basic food skills
• Assisting in building and delivering raised beds and transplants for the Growing at Home project
• Winterizing the Community Garden
• Data collection and analysis of different growing methods

Requirements/Qualifications

• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment;
• Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback;
• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset;
• Must be a Canadian citizen, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Access to a reliable vehicle;
• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment;
• Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback;
• Preference will be given to Millbrook Band or Community Members

Working Conditions
The position requires you to work outdoors in all weather conditions (rain, heat, etc.). It is important for the candidate to come dressed appropriately for these working conditions and with proper food and water. There will also be time spent in an office setting. Remote-work is flexible, though on-site visits will be required.

Physical Requirements
Applicants should be comfortable being on their feet all day, and able to work in hot or humid conditions in anticipation for the summer weather. Applicants should be able to comfortably lift up to 50 lbs.