Job Posting — Program Assistant (Western Food Hub)

This job posting is also available as a PDF.
For alternate formats or support in applying, please contact hiring@foodfirstnl.ca.

Food First NL is hiring a full-time Program Assistant. This role will be based in Corner Brook and will support the activities of the Western Food Hub, a local food social enterprise. Details about the Food Hub can be found at www.nlfoodhub.ca and on Instagram and Facebook @nlfoodhub 

The Job

The Program Assistant for the Western Food Hub will be responsible for the following:

  • Assist with all social enterprise activities of the Western Food Hub, including:

    • Transport food to and from multiple locations in bulk using an electric van 

    • Portion, package, inventory, and safely store a variety of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food items

    • Provide customer service in person, by phone, and online 

    • Interact with vendors and producers to acquire products, set up online profiles, troubleshoot issues, and build positive relationships

    • Handle payments by cash, using Square POS, and using Local Food Marketplace online sales platform 

    • Give presentations and promote the Food Hub in community settings 

    • Contribute to marketing and communications for the Western Food Hub

    • Maintain accurate records and collect sales and evaluation data

    • Assist with development of operating procedures

    • Problem solve challenges in a collaborative and effective manner 

  • Support food safety and occupational health and safety throughout operations 

  • Participate in professional development training (e.g. food safety, first aid, facilitation, community engagement)

  • Participate as a member of the Food First NL team and contribute to communications, equity, evaluation, human resources, planning, and reporting activities of the organization

  • Act as a representative of Food First NL at meetings, on committees, at events, and potentially with the media. 

  • Other duties as required

The Ideal Candidate 

This is an active position that requires physical labour. The candidate must be able to safely lift bags and boxes of produce weighing 50-65lbs and complete repetitive tasks like placing food into bags and cleaning workspaces. 

The candidate should be available to start in September ideally. 

The candidate ideally lives in or near Humber Valley/Bay of Islands. 

The candidate must have a full driver’s license and a clean driving record. This position will require the candidate to drive an electric van. Access to a personal vehicle is an asset. 

Please consider applying if many of the following characteristics apply to you and you are interested in growing your experience in the areas that don’t: 

  • You are excited about advancing Food First NL’s vision of “a province where everyone can eat with joy and dignity” and the Food Hub’s goal of “local food on every plate” 

  • You are friendly and outgoing and enjoy interacting with people

  • You have strong customer service experience 

  • You are reliable and punctual 

  • You are a creative problem solver who strives to remain open-minded and level-headed

  • You have experience handling cash, using point of sales (POS) systems, and with online sales 

  • You may have experience in agriculture, food service, and/or retail that you would like to apply in a community setting

  • You are excited to take action to improve our food system 

  • You are organized, detail-oriented, and plan ahead 

  • You have strong communication skills and you enjoy working as part of a team

  • You are a good listener who can take direction and then work independently

  • You are committed to equity and inclusion, take a trauma-informed approach, and you have experience interacting positively with groups who have been marginalized

  • You are confident with computers and you have experience with Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar, Drive) 

  • You are able to work both in-person and online as required

If you have questions about the requirements of the positions, contact hiring@foodfirstnl.ca.

Compensation and other Details

Wage: $24.37/hour. A cost of living increase is applied annually in February. 

Paid Leave: 

  • 15 days vacation to start, with an additional day added annually 

  • 15 public holidays annually, plus 3 days closure between Christmas and New Years

  • 12 community service and food provisioning days

  • Ample sick and personal leave time available as needed

Hours: 35 hours/week, primarily Monday-Friday daytimes, with some flexibility. It will vary based on activities, with occasional evenings and weekends required.

Benefits: Health and dental benefits available after 3 months

Expected Start: September 2025

Position Type: Full-time. Food First NL’s contracts follow a fiscal year of April-March. Initial contract to March 31, 2026 with extension likely. 

Working Environment & Travel: The position requires the candidate to work in Corner Brook several days a week at the Western Food Hub (62 Broadway). There will be frequent travel within the region required for this job, primarily using Food First NL’s electric van. Any use of a personal vehicle for work activities will be reimbursed. 

Compensation will not be provided for candidates to relocate to the area for the position or for commuting to work in Corner Brook. 

This can be a hybrid position and working from home will be possible on certain days as programming requirements allow. Doing so will require a reliable home internet connection and a monthly stipend can be provided to assist with internet costs.

How to Apply

Send a PDF of your resume and cover letter to hiring@foodfirstnl.ca by the end of the day on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. We thank everyone who applies but only people selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Questions, and contact for support in applying: hiring@foodfirstnl.ca

Accommodations

Food First NL recognizes that systemic barriers related to gender, race and ethnicity, Indigeneity, ability, physical and mental health, age, and socio-economic status limit or prevent people’s equal access to power and resources within society. In order to address these barriers within our own organization and the broader community, Food First NL is committed to practicing equity in all aspects of our work, including hiring. We welcome the opportunity to discuss any accommodations you may require, both in the position itself and in the hiring process.

If you are a person with a disability who requires support applying, please contact us. We can also provide this job posting in alternative formats. 

About Food First NL

Food First NL is a provincial non-profit organization with nearly twenty-five years of experience leading food security efforts. Food First NL’s mission is to advance everyone’s right to food in Newfoundland and Labrador. We envision a province where everyone can eat with joy and dignity. To learn more, visit foodfirstnl.ca or our social media @FoodFirstNL (Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, YouTube).