Job Posting: Wild Mushroom Harvester
Company: TruNorth Naturals Inc.
Location: Goulais River, Ontario
Position: Wild Mushroom Harvester
Job Opening Date: April 11-2024
Closing Date: When all positions have been filled
Interviews Conducted in person in: Sudbury area on April 19-20. North Bay area April 21-23.
TruNorth Naturals Inc., a medicinal mushroom company based in Goulais River, Ontario, is seeking 10-15 part time or full time passionate and safety-conscious individuals to join our team as Wild Mushroom Harvesters. As a Wild Mushroom Harvester at TruNorth Naturals, you will play a crucial role in responsibly sourcing and harvesting wild medicinal mushrooms while adhering to strict safety and quality standards.
Responsibilities:
- Undergo training on TruNorth's safety program and proper harvesting practices.
- Work independently in designated harvesting areas.
- Collect and provide data on harvesting, transportation, storage, and sanitation practices.
- Ensure mushrooms are handled safely according to Health Canada / CFIA food safety standards and Canadian Organic Regime standards.
- Provide own transportation and harvesting equipment.
- Follow the provided maps indicating eligible harvesting areas and off-limits zones.
- Safely transport harvested mushrooms to designated storage facilities and eventually to our processing facility in Goulais River, Ontario.
- Sustainably harvest mushrooms, with at least 20% of fungi left behind for regrowth, monitored by sustainable forestry inventory managers.
- Learn and employ proper harvesting techniques for each species to ensure species regeneration.
This highlights the candidates' independence in harvesting, the requirement for sustainable practices, and the importance of learning proper harvesting techniques for species regeneration.
Requirements:
- Love and respect for the natural environment.
- Safety-oriented mindset and experience navigating forests.
- Understanding of organic and food-safe handling practices.
- Access to applicable harvesting land in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence forest region, preferably with forestry experience.
Off-Limits Areas:
- Conservation reserves.
- First Nation reservations (unless of indigenous descent with written permission).
- Private land (unless ownership or written permission).
- Areas of potential contamination.
Pay Structure:
- Harvesters will be compensated based on the weight of fresh, cleaned mushrooms harvested (per pound).
- We also have openings for crew bosses and training leads that start at $25/hour plus premiums on all products brought in from the crew they are in charge of. These positions will be offered internally as harvesters prove their aptitude
- Current species and pay rates (in season):
- Chaga: $3.75/lb
- Turkey Tail: $15/lb
- Birch Polypore: $4.00/lb
- Artist conk - $4/lb
- Willow Bracket - $3.75/lb
- Hoof conk - $5/lb
- Red belted polypore - $3.75
- Additional species and rates (off-season)
- Reishi - $5/lb
- Maitake - $5.00/lb
- Chicken of the woods - $5/lb
- Lobster - $4/lb
- Chanterelles - $5/lb
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume to jobs@trunorthnaturals.com. A cover letter or email explaining why you would be a good fit for the position is highly encouraged. We seek nature enthusiasts with a long-term vision of preserving ecosystems and everything within them.
Join TruNorth Naturals in our mission to responsibly harvest wild medicinal mushrooms and contribute to the well-being of individuals and the environment. Apply today and become part of our dedicated team!