Resilient, community-based food systems

Position: Lead Researcher / Neighbours Feeding Neighbours
Organization: Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust
Location: Salt Spring Island, Capital Regional District, BC

At Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, we believe in building resilient, community-based food systems that can withstand the challenges of climate change and emergencies. Our Neighbours Feeding Neighbours (NFN) program brings together farmers, neighbourhood PODs, and emergency agencies to prepare Salt Spring for the future by mapping food resources, creating preparedness tools, and strengthening our local food security network.

We are seeking contractors to join our team for the next phase of NFN, running September 2025 – March 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape an enduring system that will guide food system resilience on Salt Spring.

You will be part of completing and integrating work that has been done over the past year to:

• Fill critical data and mapping gaps on food security.
• Engage emergency pods, farmers, and emergency agencies in a coordinated approach to food system resilience during disasters.
• Produce an Emergency Preparedness Guide to guide future investment and program planning.

Lead Researcher Term: Sept 2025 – Mar 2026
Rate: $35/hr

Responsibilities:

• Consolidate, verify, and expand current pod/farm database to create a comprehensive resource assessing island-wide food production and distribution, and emergency preparedness in the farming and food sector
• Review and compile existing materials; identify gaps in data and craft and implement workplan to meet program deliverables
• Conduct outreach to farmers, pod leaders, and partners, referencing previous contractor work to identify assets and needs
• Work with Mapping Specialist to synchronize maps with data and coordinate with other contractors,
• Draft sections of Emergency Preparedness Guide related to data findings and infrastructure needs.
• Liaise with FLT staff to integrate database and disseminate findings.
• Use FLT systems to track spending, manage program budget and provide financial accounting.

Qualifications:

• Strong research and data management skills.
• Agricultural knowledge, especially local food systems.
• Comfortable with outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with GIS/mapping data an asset.

Hiring Timeline:

• Job posted: September 8, 2025
• Applications due: September 15, 2025

The SSI Farmland Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Application Procedure:

Please email Cover Letter and Resume to info@ssifarmlandtrust.org by September 15, 2025, with the subject line “Lead Researcher Position”.

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