Part-time Support
Whitby • ID: SP24-15 • Temporary
About Durham College:
Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever-changing workforce.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.
Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs – including six honours bachelor’s degrees and 11 apprenticeship programs – to more than 13,700 full-time post-secondary and 2,300 apprenticeship students. In addition, more than 14,600 students participate in professional and part-time learning. More than 110,500 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.
A forward-looking organization committed to collaboration, innovation and sustainability, Durham College is ranked annually as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and has been recognized as a Top 50 Research College in Canada, 10 times.
DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.
Position:
The Weston Centre, in partnership with the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, is offering an exciting student job opportunity to support our CiCan Campus Living Lab project. This project is dedicated to modelling a holistic field-to-fork-to-field campus model supported by academic and business operations. Together, we will focus on waste management, food literacy, food security, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
We're seeking a passionate student interested in culinary, urban farming, sustainability, and food waste reduction to join our team. Working closely with the Weston Centre Field Supervisor, Barrett Centre Partnership Manager, and Farm Manager, you'll contribute to our dynamic team, supporting the implementation of our field-to-fork-field model on our urban farm.
Responsibilities will include collaborating to create a repository of resources for developing an on-campus circular food economy guided by a Food Hierarchy Model. This model will strategically manage our DC-grown produce, with the aim of sharing our resources with other academic institutions to replicate and to support the advancement of sustainable development goals.
As part of this role, you'll oversee the movement of our DC-grown produce and surplus food within our Weston Centre operations. Working alongside the field supervisor, you'll ensure a smooth flow of produce from the gardens to the Weston Centre. You'll identify excess produce or perishable food items unsuitable for resale and innovate value-added products for sale or future use in our kitchens. Other duties may include data collection. harvesting produce, washing and packing, inventory management, supporting composting programs, tracking, labelling, and distribution.
This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience on a working urban farm, support a Feast On-designated field-to-fork restaurant operation, and participate in various community outreach initiatives.
Required Skills:
1. Food Handlers certificate is required
2. Working and operating in a kitchen environment
3. Working with kitchen equipment to include proper sanitation techniques
4. Food handling, processing, preparation and/or quality assurance
5. Managing food waste including composting, proper sorting, efficiencies and sustainability practices
6. Inventory management
Other relevant skills and abilities:
7. Able to work in a team environment and adhere to common goals
8. Attention to detail, focus and commitment to quality work
9. Strong interpersonal skills and communication
10. Able to listen well, take direction, and work autonomously
11. Positive attitude, patience and empathy for others
12. Self-managing - able to organize tasks, adapt on the fly and manage a number of jobs simultaneously
13. Able to operate small kitchen machines, tools and equipment safely
14. Reliable, punctual and consistent work ethic
Durham College policy requires employees to be available for on-campus work
Required Skills
$18.56 per hour
Required Experience
There will be approximately 426 hours of total work, up to 18 hours per week over six months. The CiCan project will be completed by December 2024.
Flexible work hours to include evenings and weekends.