Company description

Founded in 2007, The Sylvia Center (TSC)’s vision is to create healthy communities through the power of cooking. Our mission is to educate young people and families through culinary programming to promote health and well-being. Our organization empowers our participants with the knowledge and skills they need to take control of their health through more informed food choices and encourages them to become healthy food advocates in our communities. 

Serving approximately 5,000 participants annually, TSC partners with community-based organizations and schools to provide culinary programming in all five boroughs of New York City, the Hudson Valley (primarily Columbia County), and the Capital District. TSC works in neighborhoods with limited food education programs and food access. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with an operating budget of $2.2 million, TSC has a full-time staff of 9 and a part-time staff of approximately 35. 

Internship description

The Garden Education Internship is a seasonal educational program which offers hands-on work experience to an individual interested in vegetable gardening, farm-based education, garden-to-table skills, the culinary arts, and nutrition education. Through this experience, the intern will build introductory skill sets in the above areas and will be better prepared for entry level work in farm-based and/or culinary education.

Responsibilities:
● Assist Garden Manager with garden bed and equipment maintenance including but not limited to seeding, transplanting, weeding, bed preparation, harvesting, researching and implementing best practices, preparing the garden for winter, cleaning tools, and other tasks as assigned.
● Assist Garden Manager and Chef Educators with the farm program including but not limited to assisting students with planting or harvesting, collecting survey results and participation numbers.
● Attend staff meetings and trainings, and collaborate with fellow program staff.
● Assist with annual fundraising event in mid-July.
● Complete a final project (to be developed with the Garden Manager).
● Other related assignments as necessary.

Experience and Skills:
● Interest in gardening, passion for farm-based education and working with young people, and a desire to work with diverse communities
● Experience with Google Suite and ability to use a timeclock and scheduling platform
● Enthusiastic, energetic, and able to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
● Ability and desire to work independently and as part of a team
● Ability to stand on your feet for at least 5 hours at a time, lift 50 lbs and willingness to do physically demanding work outdoors in all weather conditions

Organization Benefits: We are a diverse group of food loving individuals who proudly support our mission of healthy food education. By joining our team, you will get:

● An organization that believes and invests in employee growth, development, and success. More than 70% of staff have been promoted to the next level of responsibility at our organization.
● We offer sick day accrual, travel benefits, and a competitive hourly rate.
● Opportunity to travel within the Hudson Valley.

Compensation and Work Hours/Location:
The Sylvia Center is an inclusive, non-discriminatory organization. The position is based on Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY with occasional travel to other program sites. This is a nonexempt, seasonal, hourly position at 10-15 hours per week with an hourly pay range of $16-$22/hr. Schedule is flexible and to be mutually agreed upon.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline