Summer student jobs

Position: Therapeutic Garden Assistant
Type: age 30 & under / summer student
Employer: Community Care Northumberland
Location: Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre in Cobourg, Ontario
Term: Full-time: 35 hours/week for up to 16 weeks

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to work outdoors at a healthcare setting? As we continue to grow our Therapeutic Garden, we are looking for a student to assist with its implementation, care and programming.

We are looking for a student with Canadian citizenship between the ages of 15-30 years old who is currently enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution and who has:

• experience or interest in the field(s) of social sciences, human services, health care, environmental sciences, education, horticulture or horticultural therapy
• an interest in gardening and a commitment to environmental stewardship
• the ability to work flexible hours both independently and as part of a team
• the ability and physical fitness level to safely bend, kneel, lift, carry and engage in other physical work throughout the work day

Reporting to the Director of Hospice Services, working with our Therapeutic Garden Coordinator.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day garden care (organic and sustainable methods), including tasks such as: weeding, hand-watering, mulching, edging, pruning, planting, harvesting, seed-collecting and wheelbarrow use
• Assist the Building Maintenance staff with garden-related tasks including grass cutting, grass trimming and edging using power equipment. Safety shoes, ear and eye protection will be required.

• Help to maintain garden tools, equipment and structures in safe working order
• Assist with daily communication, engagement and relationship-building with garden visitors and garden volunteers
• Assist with the planning, preparation and facilitation of garden events and therapeutic horticulture activities
• Support the health and wellness of residents, volunteers, staff and the greater hospice community through the purposeful relationships with plants and gardening
• Help with garden-related administrative responsibilities

Other responsibilities depending on skills and interests:

• Use of the iNaturalist citizen science app to record the flora and fauna of the gardens
• Collaborate with the Social Media Coordinator to create garden-related posts
• Assist the Food Services Coordinator with the garden harvest and food preparation
• Assist the Therapeutic Garden and the Volunteer Coordinators with programming and activities for our pre-school garden volunteers
• Assist with the development of interactive materials and signage to foster visitor engagement in the Therapeutic Garden
• Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for those over 18.

The rate of pay for this position is $17.60/hour.

Please note: This is a grant-funded position and is contingent on funding being secured.

For more detail on Community Care Northumberland, please visit our website: commcare.ca

Qualified applicants are asked to submit, via e-mail, a detailed resume to: careers@commcare.ca by April 15, 2026

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