Hiring: Gardening the Community Youth Program/Community Engagement Manager
GTC is hiring! Looking for someone who knows and loves Springfield, has experience with youth development and community engagement and is passionate about racial and food justice to join the team. Applications are being accepted on-line until April 21. This is a 30 hour/week position with great benefits. Apply online here.
Organization Description
Founded in 2002, in Springfield, MA, Gardening the Community (GTC), a fiscally sponsored project of Third Sector New England, is a food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture and sustainable living to build healthy and equitable communities. GTC works with youth to grow food on vacant lots and organizes to expand healthy, affordable food access in the Mason Square neighborhoods of Springfield. GTC’s vision includes building a vibrant, healthy food system with just and equal access to it – one that recognizes and addresses inequity, so racism no longer determines the health or well-being of a neighborhood or community.
Job Summary
The Youth Program and Community Engagement Manager directly oversees youth participants and GTC’s youth development programs and coordinates all GTC community engagement activities. This includes organizing training and workshops related to food access and food justice, participating in community food justice coalitions and engaging neighborhood residents, coordinating GTC’s intern and volunteer programs and managing other community outreach activities.
Essential Job Functions
-Manage the GTC Youth Leadership Program. This includes:
-Supervising the process of youth coming into the program, including application materials, meeting with both youth and their parents/guardians and orientation;
-Supervising daily on-site participation of youth involved in GTC, including farming, sales, organizing and educational activities. This includes supervising youth and intern staffing at farmers markets and GTC Farm Stands;
-Supporting the leadership development of youth within GTC;
-Recruiting youth participation on GTC Board, committees and organizational events;
-Contributing to the development and implementation of a year-round youth learning and leadership development curriculum;
-Contributing to the implementation of a healthy eating/cooking curriculum;
-Managing monthly youth timesheet reporting and distribution of youth stipend checks;
-Assisting with the youth summer job application process including partnership with New England Farm Workers;
-Coordinating and distributing the monthly youth calendar;
-Ensuring annual youth participation in program evaluation and self-assessment and reflection;
-Assist with other organizational activities including fundraising, events and office management, as appropriate.
-Manage GTC’s Community Engagement and Outreach Program. This includes:
-Developing community relations through attending outreach events around the city and managing neighborhood engagement;
-Attending food access related meetings (such as Climate Justice Coalition, Healthy Hill Initiative, etc.), and neighborhood council meetings to keep them informed about GTC work and programs;
-Assisting with the development of seasonal food justice workshops for residents on topics including food insecurity and its related outcomes, causes and solutions;
-Work with Co-Director of Marketing and Programs to coordinate GTC interns and volunteer program including tracking and recordkeeping, office/site orientation and placement;
-Organize outreach for monthly volunteer “impact” days from April – October;
-Coordinate the development of seasonal newsletters.
Compensation
This is an hourly position that pays $15.00-$18.00 per hour depending on experience. Benefits include generous health and dental plans, paid time off, and access to fresh food.
Qualifications
-2 years experience supervising youth (aged 12-19) in youth organizing or youth development context;
-Experience supervising paid or volunteer staff and working with diverse communities;
-Demonstrated experience in project or program coordination;
-Demonstrated experience in community outreach or engagement work;
-Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and to the mission of GTC;
-Ability to relate easily to middle and high school aged youth and to support their growth and development as leaders;
-Interest and familiarity with issues relating to local food, food justice, and sustainable agriculture;
-Strong organizational skills;
-Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with public speaking;
-Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
-Knowledge of the Springfield community;
-Ability to build and sustain individual and community relationships;
-Bilingual (Spanish/English), preferred;
-Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and/or design related software.
To Apply
We strongly encourage online applications. Please send your resume, and a cover letter describing your interest in the position, knowledge of Springfield, and commitment to the food and racial justice mission of GTC, along with three professional references that can speak to your work ethic, commitment, and relevant work experience. Please list the name, title, email and/or phone number for each reference.
Use this link to apply: Apply online here.
For applications by mail or fax, send to:
Third Sector New England
NonProfit Center, 7th floor
Attn: HR – 89 South Street
Boston, MA 02111
Or Fax: 617.523.2070
Applications will be accepted until April 21 – we hope to fill the position by the end of May.
As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE/Gardening the Community will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification and veteran or disability status.
