Farm Operations Assistant - Seasonal

Position Type: Seasonal

Dates:  ASAP - August 29, 2025, with possibility of extension.

Hours of Work: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm including some evenings and weekends

Job Summary: The FortWhyte Farms Operation Assistant supports the operations of FortWhyte Farms, an educational facility designed to grow youth, food and community.  The Farm Assistant role helps raise and maintain the agricultural aspects of the farm.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Farm Operations (95%) 

Under the direction of FortWhyte Farms Operations Manager, work as a team member or take a leadership role in undertaking the following tasks:

• Horticulture: Assist with field prep, seeding, transplanting, weeding, crop maintenance, harvesting, washing, and irrigating 2 acres of ecological gardens.


• Greenhouse: Perform needed tasks in the greenhouse, including seeding, watering, transplanting, fertilizing, pest management, pruning and other routine maintenance tasks.


• Food Product Sales:  Harvest, wash, package and display vegetables and/or value-added food items for sale at our weekly Market and CSA share pick-ups.  


• Pastured Livestock: Attend to daily needs and wellbeing of laying hens, rabbits and pigs, including feeding and watering, moving pens or pasture location, cleanliness, fencing, shelters and transportation of livestock to abattoir


• General Maintenance: Sweep, mop and tidy all facilities within Farm Headquarters, Garage, Barn, Greenhouse, Tool Sheds and outbuildings as per the cleaning schedule


• Landscaping: Maintain the appearance of the grounds of FortWhyte Farms, including operating lawn mower and/or weed trimmer, watering outdoor plants and flower beds.


• Act as a role model and mentor by providing feedback to youth interns while performing assigned agricultural tasks.


• Remove organic waste, garbage and recycling from buildings as needed.
  

Other FortWhyte Farms duties as assigned (5%)

Basic Hiring Criteria:

• Experience in small-scale farming (horticulture)


• Knowledge of pests and diseases affecting organic market garden production


• Ability to use motorized equipment


• Comfortable using basic hand tools


• Physical capability and willingness to perform manual labour in all weather conditions (lifting, bending, kneeling, repetitive motions)


• Ability to follow instructions and work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team


• Time management and task organization abilities


• Initiative and problem-solving skills in hands-on tasks
  


• Class 4 Driver’s License an asset, and will be required upon employment


• Child abuse registry check and criminal records check require upon hiring

FortWhyte Alive is devoted to developing a work environment and recruitment processes that are inclusive and barrier-free. Please let us know if an accommodation is needed at any stage of the recruitment process.

FortWhyte Alive is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment equity may be a factor in selection for this position. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous people, Black people, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+ people and people with disabilities.