Summer student Fields Forward

2 Summer student roles with Fields Forward

Employer Fields Forward Society

Salary $20 /hr

Terms June 1 – August 31, 2026

Start Date

Are you a student between the ages of 15 and 30 looking for a summer job? Fields Forward Society, which operates the Kootenay Farms Food Hub, if successful in obtaining funding through the Canadian Summer Job Grant will be hiring These 2 Roles:

• Hydroponic Farm Production Assistant
• Gardener & Food Production position for 30 hrs a week.

The work week will consist of a varied schedule of day or afternoon shifts depending on the schedule demands of the farm. Typical work week will be Tuesday to Saturday.

The Student Hydroponic Farm Production Assistant will support the operation of a year-round hydroponic modular farm capable of growing up to 10,000 pounds of fresh produce annually. Students will gain hands‑on experience with innovative food‑production technology while contributing directly to local food security initiatives, including school lunch programs and community food‑bank distribution.

• Assist with daily operation of the Growcer hydroponic modular farm, designed for high‑efficiency, all‑season production.
• Monitor plant health across up to 2,600 planting slots, checking for pests, disease, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Seed, transplant, prune, and harvest a variety of leafy greens and vegetables (up to 140 possible varieties).
• Follow standardized operating procedures to maintain consistent weekly yields of 800+ mature plants.
• Track and record key environmental conditions, including water quality, nutrient levels, temperature, and humidity.
• Support routine system checks of pumps, lighting, climate control, and sensor equipment.
• Identify and report operational issues or irregularities to supervisors.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of growing areas, workstations, and equipment to ensure food‑safe production conditions.
• Adhere to food‑handling and workplace safety protocols.
• Assist with quality control checks to ensure produce meets standards for distribution.
• Harvest and wash produce following food‑safe handling guidelines.
• Weigh, package, and label produce for distribution to community partners.
• Support delivery preparation for school lunch programs, local customers, and the community food bank.
• Record daily production data, including crop yields, planting schedules, and harvest quantities.
• Assist in maintaining digital logs used for tracking production efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Support initiatives targeting equity‑deserving groups, including youth and low‑income community members.
• Participate in educational or outreach activities demonstrating how the hydroponic farm supports local food security.
• Contribute ideas to improve sustainability, efficiency, and community impact.
• Participate in training provided by Growcer’s support team to understand hydroponic systems and operational best practices.
• Engage in ongoing learning related to sustainable agriculture, food systems, and community food security.

This position will have a varied task list in our new community garden, garden tasks in community fields, garden harvesting, kitchen preparation, processing, community delivery, and Farmers Market retail and program promotion.

• Actively promote and exhibit enthusiasm in the workplace
• Solid communication skills
• Time‑management skills
• Take initiative, be self‑motivated, and perform independently; be accountable and dependable
• Work closely within a team environment
• Work inside or outside in varied temperatures and elements
• Perform work that is physical in nature, repetitive tasks and demands of harvesting fruits and vegetables
• Some on‑job training is provided; however, employees must be able to accept responsibility for assignments and follow directions in a timely and professional manner

• Basic food preparation
• Knowledge of food allergies and risks associated with them
• Setting up and preparing stations with all necessary supplies
• Proper service temperatures of prepared foods
• Ensure sanitary cooking conditions and appropriate safe food handling

• Ground preparation for garden area
• Layout and design
• Construction of garden boxes
• Preparing garden for growing
• Harvesting
• Prepare fruits and vegetables for secondary processing – freeze drying, canning, etc.
• Canning and secondary processing
• Organization of volunteers
• Lift up to 50lbs
• Outgoing and comfortable speaking with the public
• Food Safe Level 1, an asset but we can always provide training
• Accepting duties as assigned for operational requirements

To Apply:

Please use the contact information as directed in the listing.