Community Outreach Coordinator
About GrowBuildLearn
GrowBuildLearn (GBL) is a social impact enterprise combining smart hydroponic technology, AI-powered education support, and immersive STEM curriculum to address food security and educational engagement challenges. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to grow food, build sustainable systems, and learn together.
We're creating innovative solutions that make year-round food production accessible while delivering engaging hands-on STEM education to schools and communities across Ontario.
Eligibility Note (OJCP Funded)
This role is funded through the Ontario Job Creation Partnerships (OJCP) program. Candidates must be Ontario residents who are currently unemployed or working under 20 hrs/week and must have a qualifying EI history (currently receiving EI, received EI within the last 60 months, or paid EI premiums in at least 3 of the last 10 years).
What you’ll Do
Grow GrowBuildLearn's presence in the community by combining hands-on growing education with relationship-based outreach. This role pairs real horticultural and hydroponic expertise with grassroots community engagement: running workshops and demonstrations, building partnerships with community organizations, and creating the warm relationships and early interest that feed GBL's program pipeline.
This is an education-led outreach role, not a cold-call sales role. You'll open doors and build trust through your credibility as a grower and educator, then work alongside the team to move interested partners toward program adoption. It's perfect for someone with an agriculture, sustainability, or community-education background who is energized by getting people excited about growing food.
Because this role is built around community events and partner engagement, some evening and weekend work will be required at times (e.g., workshops, markets, and community events), with scheduling flexibility around those commitments.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive hourly wage based on experience (minimum $18/hour)
Commission or bonus structure tied to goals
Mileage reimbursement for school visits and field travel
Flexible hybrid work arrangement
Professional development opportunities
Meaningful work with direct community and environmental impact
Key Responsibilities
Community Education & Workshop Delivery
Contribute to the planning and delivery of hands-on hydroponic growing workshops, food literacy sessions, and demonstrations at community sites (libraries, community centres, food banks, senior centres, schools)
Translate growing and sustainability concepts into engaging, accessible experiences for diverse audiences, including youth
Support harvest and "grow-along" activities that connect participants to where food comes from
Adapt sessions for different community groups and learning needs
Capture stories, photos, and feedback from sessions to support GBL's impact reporting and marketing
Community Partnership Development & Outreach
Identify and reach out to community organizations, municipalities, libraries, food security groups, and partners aligned with GBL's mission
Build relationships through a warm, consultative, education-first approach rather than hard-sell tactics
Represent GBL at community events, markets, and networking opportunities
Generate and qualify interest, and hand off or co-develop opportunities with GBL's sales and outreach team toward program adoption
Follow up consistently with contacts to nurture partnerships over time
Log all outreach, contacts, and partnership activity in the CRM (HubSpot)
Coordination & Administrative Support
Coordinate scheduling and logistics for workshops, demos, and community events
Track outreach metrics and partnership progress for reporting
Support other community and operational activities as required by the company
Requirements
Experience & Skills
Post-secondary studies in education, agriculture, environmental science, sustainability, or a related field, OR equivalent hands-on experience
Experience teaching, training, or running workshops/demonstrations for community groups, students, farmers, or the public
Hands-on knowledge of hydroponic or controlled-environment growing
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with diverse audiences
Comfortable initiating conversations and representing an organization in the community
Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple relationships and events
Valid Ontario driver's license and reliable transportation for travel across Niagara and the GTA
Core Competencies
Warm, approachable communicator who builds trust quickly
Passion for food security, sustainability, and community empowerment
Ability to make growing and sustainability topics simple, engaging, and fun
Comfort with outreach and partnership building through an education-first lens
Collaborative team player who feeds opportunities to colleagues rather than working in isolation
Comfort using digital tools, CRM systems, and AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT) in day-to-day work
Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have, But Not Required!)
Experience with community engagement, municipal sustainability programs, or food literacy initiatives
Familiarity with the Niagara and/or GTA community organization landscape
Experience coordinating events, workshops, or volunteer programs
Background in regenerative agriculture, vertical farming, or urban agriculture
Experience with field trials, research, benchmarking, or program evaluation
Bilingual (English/French or other languages) an asset