Open Door Group (ODG), a trailblazing non-profit organization serving communities across Canada, is looking for an Activity Worker to join our team!

Wage: $27.92 to $28.79 per hour (Grid 21, Health Sciences Association Community Bargaining Agreement)

Status: Community Casual, with regular hours available until December 31, 2026

Hours of Work: 10.8 Hours per week

Location: The primary work location for this position will be the Open Door Gardengate location.

Internal Posting closing date: February 13, 2026

About the role:

Reporting to the Program Coordinator, the Activity Worker independently plans, delivers, and participates in activities that support clients’ activation, life skills, recreation, and horticulture goals within the Gardengate program. The role may also provide guidance to volunteers as needed and works closely with program guidelines while managing day-to-day activities on site.

The Activity Worker will support the Growing Together pilot project, a time-limited planning and feasibility initiative led by Open Door Group’s Gardengate program. This pilot explores how therapeutic horticulture can support well-being, social connection, and community food security, while informing the design of future programming. In this role, the Activity Worker will coordinate gardening-based activities, engage participants, and independently lead interviews, focus groups, and basic data collection. Learning from this pilot will help shape longer-term program development and sustainability.

What you will do:

Program Delivery and Participant Support

• Assist with planning, preparing, and facilitating gardening-based recreational and horticultural activities that support the well-being and engagement of seniors in long-term care.
• Provide hands-on guidance, encouragement, and practical support to individuals living with mental health conditions who participate as gardening supporters during program sessions.
• Support Gardengate participants in building skills, confidence, and employment readiness through meaningful, structured activities.
• Foster respectful teamwork and positive relationships among supporters, residents, staff, and project partners.
• Encourage active participation using adaptive, person-centred approaches that ensure activities are accessible to individuals with diverse physical, cognitive, and emotional needs.
• Prepare and organize all materials and supplies required for horticultural sessions, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment.
• Assist with clean-up, storage, and ongoing care of gardening tools, materials, and work areas.
• Work collaboratively with project stakeholders, including long-term care staff, recreation professionals, program coordinators, and community partners, to support effective program delivery.

Documentation and Project Data Collection

• Assist with attendance tracking, session records, and required progress documentation.
• Support program evaluation by helping administer surveys, gather participant feedback, and document observations related to engagement and well-being.
• Assist with tracking produce yields and harvest data to support project outcomes and reporting.

Working Conditions

• The role involves light physical activity such as lifting supplies, bending, kneeling, and standing for extended periods.
• Work may take place indoors or outdoors depending on the season and program setting.
• Regular interaction with vulnerable populations requires professionalism, confidentiality, and a consistently respectful, compassionate approach.

Please see the full job description for a detailed description of the responsibilities included in this position. Full posting and job description are available here: Careers at Open Door Group.

Why Open Door Group?

Champion of Great Workplaces: ODG proudly holds the title of one of Canada's Certified Great Places to Work, fostering a culture of compassion and authenticity. Join a team that values your unique contribution and believes in the boundless potential of every individual.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: As a Certified Living Wage Employer, ODG is committed to offering more than just a job. Your well-being matters, and we provide an Employee and Family Assistance program to support you

Community Impact: Be part of an organization that goes beyond the conventional, providing tailored employment services to build strong workforce ecosystems and thriving communities. Your work will directly contribute to the social and economic well-being of the community.

What you bring to the position:

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Completion of a Peer Support Worker, Activity Assistant, or related program, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of one year of recent, related experience
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience supporting individuals living with mental health conditions, disabilities, or other barriers is an asset.
• Lived or living experience of mental health conditions is an asset.
• Experience with horticulture, gardening, recreation, or activity-based programming is an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and work respectfully with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principles and person-centred support practices.
• Ability to encourage participation and support skill development, confidence, and independence.
• Ability to adapt and modify activities to meet individual physical, cognitive, and emotional needs.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills, including preparing materials, managing supplies, and maintaining records.
• Ability to observe, recognize, and report changes in participant engagement, behaviour, or well-being.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
• Basic computer and documentation skills for attendance tracking, reporting, and data collection.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Open Door Group values diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive work environment. We are looking for qualified individuals who represent, at all job levels, the diversity of the people we serve and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, individuals of all genders and sexual orientation, origin and ethnic affiliations, disability, age, and religion

We strive to ensure an accessible experience for candidates. If you require an alternative method to submit your application, please contact us toll-free at 1 866 377 3670 and ask to speak with an HR representative, or you can email us at humanresources@opendoorgroup.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Open Door Group team!