Program Manager, Healing Gardens and Forests

Organization: Living Ways Foundation
Reports to: Executive Director
Term: 1-year contract, part-time, renewable
Hours and Compensation: 10 hours/week, $30. - $35/hr, dependent on experience
Location: Hybrid; on-site presence in Castleton, likely 2-3 x a week on site from spring to fall, dependent on the needs of the garden, staff and education sessions
How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and resumé to info@livingwaysfoundation.org by February 15, 2026

Living Ways Foundation is launching its Healing Gardens & Forests program, focused on community food growing, ecological learning, volunteer engagement, and food access for people facing food insecurity. The Program Manager will collaborate with a seasonal Garden Coordinator who handles day-to-day garden operations, and will have periodic access to an experienced ecological garden expert who provides mentorship and supports education and training activities. This is a meaningful role that contributes to a growing vision for healing landscapes, community wellbeing, and hands-on learning.

The Program Manager coordinates three components of the program:

• Community food growing and donation
• Volunteer engagement and capacity-building
• Education and learning related to gardens and forests

Additionally, the manager will assist with some research, proposal and grant writing (when time permits, i.e. winter).

What We're Looking For
We seek an experienced, enthusiastic leader who cares deeply about people and our planet. You bring proven experience in community programs, a collaborative spirit that energizes teams, and the innovation to build something meaningful within a growing initiative. You're motivated by making tangible differences in food security and community wellbeing, and you approach this work with both commitment and creativity.

Core Responsibilities

1. Community Food Growing & Garden Program Coordination

• Coordinate seasonal planning for the Healing Gardens & Forests growing areas, with a focus on producing fresh, nutritious food, much of which will be donated to people facing food insecurity
• Work closely with the Garden Coordinator to set clear, realistic priorities for planting, maintenance, harvesting, and distribution
• Support the orientation of seasonal students and volunteers, so that work contributes directly to food production goals
• Spend periodic time on site to understand garden conditions, seasonal flow, and operational needs
• Track basic program outputs (e.g., crops grown, harvest volumes, food donations) in collaboration with the Garden Coordinator to support impact reporting

2. Volunteer Engagement & Capacity-Building

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, training, and retention of eager and committed volunteers for the Healing Gardens & Forests program
• Train and support volunteers to ensure they are effectively deployed and confident in their roles
• Help build a small core group of reliable, returning volunteers
• Ensure volunteer involvement adds capacity and momentum rather than creating a supervision burden
• Maintain basic volunteer documentation where required

3. Education, Learning & Demonstration (Gardens & Forests)

• Plan and coordinate educational activities related to growing, harvesting, storing, and preparing nutritious food (some education may be during the winter period)
• Include introductory educational sessions or interpretive walks related to the on-site Mini Forest, helping participants understand its purpose, ecological benefits, and role in healing landscapes
• Engage external experts (e.g., ecological garden experts, Master Gardeners) to lead learning sessions when appropriate
• Where appropriate, contribute to teaching or facilitation while also learning alongside staff and volunteers through mentorship provided by the Foundation's ecological garden expert
• Support demonstration activities that inspire participants to begin or expand their own food gardens
• Help define learning objectives and indicators (e.g., number of participants engaged, skills shared, interest in applying learning)
• Document impact stories and outcomes for donors and funders

Other: Research, proposal and grant writing when time permits.

Qualifications

Experience & Skills

• Experience in community gardening, food security, environmental education, or related fields
• Experience coordinating volunteers or small teams
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Sufficient knowledge to support program coordination
• Ability to work independently within limited hours
• Experience with research, proposal and grant writing is an asset.

Alignment, Values & Mindset

• Deep commitment to people, the planet, and food security—especially for those facing poverty
• Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships and energizes volunteers and community members
• Creative problem-solver who brings fresh ideas and innovation to program development
• Strong community-builder who values diversity and inclusion across all ages, genders, and backgrounds
• Eager to continue learning and growing alongside staff, volunteers, and experts

Practical Requirements

• Familiarity with Northumberland County and surrounding communities
• Vehicle access and basic computer/phone skills

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resumé to info@livingwaysfoundation.org by February 15, 2026.

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Garden Coordinator – Healing Gardens & Forests

Compensation and Hours: $25./hr (potential for increase if experienced and additional funding secured) and 30 hours per week on site with the potential to increase to 37.5 hours a week if additional funding is secured.
Term: Seasonal contract (spring–fall), renewable subject to funding
Reports to: Executive Director and/or Program Manager
Works closely with: Garden & Ecological Advisor (Consultant), Volunteers, Students

Role Context

The Garden Coordinator is the on-the-ground lead for day-to-day garden operations within the Healing Gardens & Forests program. This role focuses on high-quality implementation of a clearly defined garden plan, supporting a small but impactful pilot program that delivers tangible food, learning, and ecological outcomes.

The Garden Coordinator position for our Healing Gardens and Forests program will be supported by a team of staff and advisors. Should a Part time Program Manager be hired by spring then they will also provide guidance and work closely with the Coordinator. We see the ability for this role to “Grow”!

Purpose of the Role

The Garden Coordinator ensures that garden activities are well-organized, safe, productive, and aligned with program goals. The role emphasizes doing fewer things well, supporting students and volunteers on site, and collecting accurate data that contributes to strong funder reporting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Garden Operations & Implementation

• Contribute to the development of the garden plan alongside the Program Manager and Garden & Ecological Advisor
• Implement the approved garden plan, including planting, maintenance, harvesting, and garden close-down.
• Prepare garden beds, manage soil health, support seedling care, and oversee irrigation and pest monitoring.
• Maintain safe, accessible garden spaces, including paths, tools, and fencing.
• Support care of the Miyawaki mini forest and related plantings.
• Assist with purchasing garden supplies within approved budgets.

2. On-Site Supervision of Students & Volunteers

• Provide day-to-day, on-site supervision of students and volunteers during garden activities.
• Assign tasks, demonstrate techniques, and ensure work is carried out safely and effectively.
• Support a positive, inclusive, and educational garden environment.
• Assist the Program Manager or ED with tracking student attendance, volunteer hours, and participation.
• Flag performance, safety, or capacity issues promptly to the Program Manager or ED depending on staffing in the spring 2026.

3. Documentation & Data Collection (Impact-Focused)

• Maintain clear, simple records of:
  • Planting and harvest activities (includes tracking weight and distribution of produce)
  • Volunteer and student participation
  • Produce distribution (donations, shares, sales)
• Take photographs and brief notes that document progress and outcomes.
• Store records in designated shared systems as directed.
• Contribute factual input to program reports prepared by the Program Manager (or ED).
• Flag any data gaps or tracking challenges to the Program Manager (or ED) in a timely manner.

4. Collaboration & Communication

• Communicate regularly with the Program Manager and Executive Director regarding progress, challenges, and seasonal needs.
• Work collaboratively with the Garden & Ecological Advisor by implementing technical guidance.
• Participate in program meetings as required.
• Share photos and videos with our Social Media expert

Qualifications

Required

• Passion for and practical experience in food growing, horticulture, or community gardening.
• Ability to lead hands-on work and support others in a garden setting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Comfortable supervising students and volunteers on site.
• Physical ability to perform garden-related tasks.
• Reliable transportation and ability to work on site.
• Has cellphone and access to a computer to interact with LWF data storage drive.

Assets

• Experience working with volunteers and youth.
• Familiarity with organic or ecological growing practices.
• Experience collecting basic data or records for programs.

Practical Requirements

• Familiarity with Northumberland County and surrounding communities an asset

• Vehicle access and able to commute to the program on site in Castleton

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resumé to info@livingwaysfoundation.org by February 20th, 2026 (ideal by February 15th, 2026)