POSITION DESCRIPTION: The mission of NSNP is to unite and inspire youth and families using the
strengths of our community: shared cultural wisdom, creative energies, and environmental spaces and
experiences. The Urban Garden Manager (UGM) is charged with the upkeep of NSNP’s garden spaces
and implementation of activities and projects associated with food justice and urban agriculture, with a
focus on strengthening the links to Puerto Rican culture and history of the gardens. The UGM plays an
essential role in creating a sense of community and belonging in the gardens. The UGM will oversee all
garden related activities including the stewardship and beautification of the gardens, day-to-day
farming, production and marketing of produce, along with the community garden program and the
development and implementation of experiential educational programming for community members
and youth.
This position is full-time and exempt and reports to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include the
following:
Food Production & Garden Maintenance
- Plans and oversees daily operations of greenhouse, raised beds, vegetable production, and chicken operations.
- Maintains the overall aesthetic of our six culturally significant gardens, and supports community members who may have taken the lead in certain gardens.
- Manages the care of herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruit trees and other perennials.
- Maintains all records electronically including harvest production and sales, garden visitors, youth stipends, pest management strategies, etc.
Educational Programming & Earned Income
● In collaboration with program staff, develops and implements gardening program to integrate into
the organization’s high school afterschool art and summer internship programs.
● Has general oversight of seasonal farm stand (run by Farm Stand Manager).
● Develops a curriculum to teach workshops to the community, focusing on organic gardening
techniques, history of the neighborhood gardens, and health, nutrition and cooking.
● Works collaboratively with NSNP’s Executive Director and development staff on earned income
activities in the gardens, including leading tours and garden explorations.
Community Engagement & Outreach
- Oversees membership of the Campesinxs community garden members and provides support for their gardening activities.
- Engages youth and community through public engagements, workshops, informational sessions, garden clean-ups and family days.
- Develops and implements a volunteer program and manages communication.
- Supports trainings and workshops to garden members and community members on issues associated with food justice, heath & nutrition, and gardening.
- Builds and expands relationships with local food banks and food-related organizations.
- Represents NSNP at public events, conferences, recruitment events and workshops.
- Investigates and cultivates partnerships with other community-based organizations and local businesses.
Administrative / Other
- Oversees, updates, and communicates the Garden Maintenance plan.
- Maintains financial and operational records as appropriate.
- Supervises Farm Stand Manager, Garden Assistants and volunteers assigned to the gardens.
- Supports building maintenance, sidewalk maintenance and general property upkeep; organizes community clean-up days, snow removal and other activities as needed.
- Assists the Executive Director with proposal development and reporting for funded garden activities, food justice and nutrition programs.
- Is prepared to lend a hand throughout the organization as needed.
Qualifications
- Two+ years of experience in urban farming and vegetable production, composting systems, disease and insect management, etc. Farm stand management a plus.
- Bilingual/bicultural (English/Spanish) with knowledge of Latinx culture and food production.
- Management/supervisory experience with people of all ages.
- Experience developing and implementing youth and community farming, food justice, and nutrition programming.
- Knowledge of food justice and youth development; cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Multi-tasker, with attention to detail and ability to keep detailed records; comfortable using social media.
- Ability to work independently, outside in all weather (rain, heat, cold) and lift up to 50 lbs. safely.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a small team and to connect with people of all backgrounds.
- Ability to work a non-standard/ flexible schedule including Saturdays during the summer for community garden events.