We're Hiring!

Job Posting - Order Fulfillment & Germination Assistant

The BC Eco Seed Co-op is a producers' co-operative growing and providing 100% BC-grown vegetable, herb, flower, and grain seed. All our seed is ecologically grown or certified organic, open-pollinated, regionally selected, and GE-free. Seeds are grown on Co-op member farms across the province.

Our mission is to increase the quantity and improve the quality of ecological and organic seed grown in BC. From packets to bulk quantities, the co-op has seeds for all growers.

The BC Eco Seed Co-op is a small-scale operation with ambitions to grow and supply more BC gardeners and farmers with high-quality BC-grown seed - and we have a new job position open!

Order Fulfillment & Germination Assistant

$19.00/hour to start with possibilities for increases within the first year.
Seasonal part-time permanent position.

The BC Eco Seed Co-op is looking for a reliable person to join our team and support on our seed packing, order management & fulfillment, and germination testing. Hours are flexible and vary throughout the year as described below. Possibility for this position to grow and expand in the coming years. The position is based in Aldergrove and does not have a work-from-home option.

Responsibilities

This position has 2 basic aspects, each with their own responsibilities:

  • Preparing and shipping orders from our online website to customers and retail partners across Canada
    • Managing seed order fulfillment – product fulfillment, packaging, and shipping
    • Providing customer service online (and very occasionally in-person) as needed in conjunction with our Orders Team Lead.
    • Support with packet filling to meet inventory/fulfillment goals
    • Communicating system challenges for increased efficiency
  • Supporting in receiving, documenting, and testing seeds from members as they arrive at our Seed Hub
    • Maintaining seed records, lot numbers, and correct weights/counts for seed analysis
    • Performing germination test counts and accurately record seedling evaluations
    • Adhering to BCESC germination testing guidelines and definitions including the safe and sanitary handling of seeds

Other tasks and responsibilities may also be included with this position.

Approximate Seasonal Work Schedule

This unique position offers a lot of flexibility in work schedule which will fluctuate throughout the year, but also has some high-demand periods where availability is crucial. Estimated hours are as follows:

Jan to March - 10 to 20 hours per week

  • This is our busiest time of year as we pack and send out a majority of our seeds
  • Work times are flexible, but there is much time-sensitive work to be done

April to June - 5 to 10 hours per week

  • Seed orders typically slow down in this period
  • Work days are flexible as long as orders are sent out on time
  • We start some quality assurance testing of existing stock at this time

July to September - 5 to 10 hours per week

  • We continue our quality assurance testing during this slower time of year
  • Review and refine systems to prepare for following season

October to December - 10 to 20 hours per week

  • This is the time of year when we start receiving seeds from members
  • Conducting germination tests on in-stock seed
  • Checking stock to prepare for following season

Work times and days can be flexible as long as orders are shipped in a timely manner, offering flexibility for the right candidate. Staff enjoy a 40% discount on BC Eco Seed Co-op seeds!

General Skills and Considerations

  • Ability to work comfortably in a small space with others for long days while maintaining an organized, clean workspace, clear/constant communication, and good humour.
  • Ability to stay focused and multitask in a busy, fast-paced environment.
  • Heavy lifting, sitting and standing for long periods
  • Fine motor skills: counting and measuring seeds, packing seed packets
  • Customer service (via email and occasionally in person)
  • Creative and innovative problem solving
  • Passion for seeds, food, and agriculture as a vehicle to foster connections and create social change
  • Vehicle ideal for postal drops
  • Familiar with several software and online tools
    • Microsoft Word and Google Docs
    • Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets
    • Shopify

Workplace Safety and COVID-19

The BC Eco Seed Co-op Seed Hub is a small but well-organized space which will sometimes require close contact with other Co-op staff. We currently look to provincial health guidelines and recommendations to ensure a safe work space. A mask is encouraged at all times when working with others in the Co-op Seed Hub. The Co-op endeavours to ensure a safe working environment for all its staff. We do not allow public visits to the Seed Hub. The BC Eco Seed Co-op operates on a working cooperative farm and adherence to on-farm policies is required.

To Apply

Please email resume, in pdf format, to info@bcecoseedcoop.com with the subject header: "Seed Hub position". No cover letter is required but please introduce yourself in your email.