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this job's deadline has passed
This job expired on September 06, 2016

Community Garden Organizer Memphis Tilth

  • Date Posted July 08, 2016
  • Location Memphis, TN
  • Category Agriculture / Nonprofit
  • Job type Full-Time
Company description

Memphis Tilth is a nonprofit collective housing like-missioned initiatives for land, food, people, and place. Our mission is to cultivate collective action for an economically sustainable, socially equitable, and environmentally sound local food system. 

Job description

The Community Garden Organizer must possess a strong community organizing background, interpersonal and organizational skills, public speaking and education background, horticulture and urban farming knowledge, and a passion for community gardening, health, and social justice.

Memphis Tilth views community organizing as a specialized field that is devoted to restoring democracy at the grassroots level and energizing citizens to become a more active member of their society. Community organizing focuses on fixing broken systems, bringing about meaningful changes to peoples’ lives, and empowering vulnerable and oppressed populations.

Management of Partner-Site Community Gardens

Periodically Memphis Tilth contracts with community partners for the management or development of a community garden. Such opportunities will require the position to:  

  • Assist the Garden Program Manager with fulfilling the scope of services defined in a community garden contract agreement. Including but not limited to: manage the garden and harvest produce, volunteer management, group project development, event planning and execution;
  • Envision new construction designs and building opportunities to enhance the production and sustainability of a community garden;
  • Create a safe and welcoming garden environment that invites community members of all backgrounds and skill levels to participate in growing and harvesting food;
  • Ensure all garden participants agree to a liability waiver of protection and are properly orientated to a garden space before working in it;
  • Conceptualize and build out a Vocational Urban Agriculture program and execute curriculum development for adults;
  • Construct and implement garden projects according to pre-established budget(s), timeframe(s), professional standards, and expectations that are consistent with the contract’s vision, goals, and standards;
  • Assist Community Garden Program Manager in program goals and tasks as needed;
  • Collaborate with other Memphis Tilth staff members to achieve contract deliverables that may span across different Memphis Tilth programs.

Community Engagement & Organizing

As a community organizer, you will be expected to:

  • Research, plan, and lay the foundation for sound garden-related program activity planning and action that takes community input into account;
  • Provide valuable program development that has established goals and improvements of standards;
  • Coordinate facilitations and intergroup relationships where all participants have the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and openly engage in conversation about their community garden space;
  • Effectively communicate to others the mission and goals of community garden program activities;
  • Enlist adequate public support and participation on program activities;
  • Create and deliver different forms of program evaluation and assessment;
  • Maintain and grow relationships between the garden, community residents, and partnering organizations;
  • Attend professional development trainings to enhance mindfulness and skills to effectively organize and facilitate community-organizing initiatives. 

Project Administration

  • Complete all requested contract reporting in a timely and accurate manner;
  • Track metrics for participation in all community gardens;
  • Keep a written and digital record of produce harvested and note trends in produce popularity amongst community members;
  • Administer surveys to those who participate in the community gardens and workshops;
  • Keep an inventory of garden tools and supplies;
  • Save visual records of progress and any activities in the gardens;
  • Manage projects using a variety of project management tools including spreadsheets, timelines, work plans, and budgets;
  • Develop and submit payment request forms and back up documentation to ensure timely reimbursements for project expenses;
  • Facilitate clear and concise communication between Memphis Tilth Garden Program Manager, Executive Director, and contract stakeholders;

Support the development and success of all Memphis Tilth programs; attend staff meetings, support events and other duties related to being a member of the Memphis Tilth staff.

Required Skills

  • Minimum 2 years of community organizing with diverse populations;
  • At least 2 years of vegetable gardening experience, knowledge in natural growing practices preferred;
  • Bachelor’s degree completed or in progress in social science or community development field,or two years of relevant professional experience in community development;
  • Strong design sensibility and orientation to community leadership and capacity building;
  • Experience conducting research and analyses;
  • Previous history developing curriculum that was implemented in a classroom or workshop setting, preferably with adult learners;
  • Experience with diverse populations and sensitivity to power dynamics (gender, race, class, etc);
  • Genuine commitment and sensitivity to residents and community issues;
  • Effective communicator with great presentation and meeting facilitation skills;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal;
  • Good analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills;
  • Passion, humility, integrity and empathetic;
  • Proactive, dependable, accountable and approachable;
  • Self-directed; able to work independently and in a team and follow through on deadlines;
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule and must have reliable transportation;
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite;
  • Support the development and success of all Memphis Tilth programs, attend staff meetings, support events and other duties related to being a member of the Memphis Tilth staff.

This is a full-time, 40 hour/week, exempt position that will report to the Community Garden Program Manager and will be based at the Memphis Tilth headquarters in the 38126 neighborhood. This position requires some work on weekends and evenings; it is required to have a flexible schedule and a reliable form of transportation.

Memphis Tilth offers full-time employees a health care stipend, paid vacation, sick, and holiday time. In addition, Memphis Tilth is a growing organization and, as such, offers multiple opportunities for professional development and advancement in the organization.

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions
This job expired on September 06, 2016
DeadlineJuly 20, 2016

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