Overview:

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) is a 50 year old multi-service not-for-profit organization based on the settlement house model and located in the Bronx. We provide resources for Bronx residents from cradle to career to advance education and well-being for a vibrant community. KHCC serves over 5,000 families annually with an inclusive environment for children with special needs, low-income families, recent immigrants, survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, and at-risk teens. KHCC helps participants overcome adversity and develop the skills they need to build bright futures.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The Food Justice Coordinator will empower our community through horticultural education, nutrition, and food literacy programming. This role will also be responsible for working with local partners in selling garden produce, honey and hot sauce.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

● Supervise, mentor and develop a relationship with program participants and volunteers, and provide a safe and fun learning environment.

● Manage and work in the garden, develop a planting, maintenance and harvesting plan, prepare for garden work activities, coordinate tools and other necessary materials.

● Develop and implement a hands-on educational curriculum that reflects the needs of our community participants (including developmentally appropriate standards for early childhood education, those with special needs, at risk teens and those recovering from trauma).

● Develop our park space as a Green Thumb community garden and manage garden plots.

● Provide horticultural education to KHCC entrepreneurs and community gardeners.

● Assist with and lead garden workshops for all ages, visiting schools, and corporate groups.

● Lead/assist with a wide variety of horticultural programming including week-long summer camp sessions, school field trips, horticultural therapy, and gardening-based series, among other programs.

○ This includes all aspects of programming including set up, supervision, clean up, adjusting activities to the needs of individual participants, behavior management, and evaluation.

● Supervise adult and teen volunteers and lead weekend volunteer days with community gardeners.

● Maintain database and statistical service records of all program participants and volunteers; provide periodic reports to management.

● Support Food Justice Manager with Advocacy activities that align with KHCC’s mission.

● Support Food Justice Manager with Food Pantry Distribution.

● Undertake other duties as assigned.

● Be self-sufficient and resourceful in accomplishing program goals while recognizing areas where support is needed from other staff members

Skills and Experience Required:

● Knowledge of and passion for nature and gardening and engaging children, youth and communities in their space.

● At least one year’s experience in organic gardening and/or farming/horticulture

● Be able to identify, plan and prioritize garden activities, lead by example and effectively communicate tasks to participants.

● Ability to supervise and relate to children and youth under care and work collaboratively, effectively in KHCC teams to meet programmatic needs.

● Possess a high level of organization and communication skills.

● Have a positive attitude, show initiative and be dependable.

● A great problem solver and works well with minimal supervision.

● Willingness to learn on the job in a quickly changing environment.

● Should be physically able to meet the demands of gardening such as weeding, harvesting, digging, and able to lift a minimum 25-30 lbs regularly in inclement weather..

○ Including kneeling, bending, pushing.

● Bachelor's degree in horticulture, natural Sciences, education, or related field preferred.

● Ability to communicate in Spanish required.

● Proficiency with software including Microsoft and Google Suite applications.

● Caring attitude towards school-aged children

● Clean New York State driver’s license preferred

Physical Demands:

● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; handle, or feel; talk, hear, smell or taste. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 80 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 65 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.75 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to lift in excess of 50 pounds regularly?
• Are you able to work in inclement weather (all seasons)?
• How many years of organic gardening experience do you have?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Gardening: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person