Company description

Wasatch Community Gardens (WCG) is a community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people to grow and eat healthy, organic, local food. Since 1989, we have provided children, adults, and families in Salt Lake County with access to land and education for growing and eating fresh produce, while building and nurturing community connections through gardening and healthy food. We accomplish this through six main programs: Advocacy & Justice, Community Garden,
Education, Job Training, Volunteers, and Youth and School Gardens.

Job description

The purpose of the Community Garden (CG) Program is to cultivate community gardens in Salt Lake County, with a focus on low-income neighborhoods. WCG partners with local government; community members; neighborhoods; schools; and social service, community, refugee and faith-based organizations to strengthen community gardens, link them through our Garden Leadership Network, and provide services and resources needed to ensure the long-term viability of these projects. The Community Garden Program is implemented in close collaboration with local government agencies, including Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation and Salt Lake City Parks & Public Lands.

Position Overview:
The Program Director is the organization’s lead on community gardening. They will oversee the organization’s community
gardening programming, collaborate with community partners, and plan and execute all aspects of training for community garden organizers, ongoing garden resource development and administrative oversight.

the Program Director will work with staff, community members, city and county agencies, non-profits, and other community partners to organize, develop, and promote the program.

Primary Responsibilities:
Program Responsibilities – 40%
Oversee program partnerships, planning, etc.
● Oversee Community Garden Program contracted partnerships
● Oversee contracts of community gardens and partnerships
● Facilitate implementation of the WCG Strategic Plan as it applies to this program
● Cultivate/manage relationships with partner agencies
● Create/monitor program budgets with supervisor
● Oversee data collection and reporting 
● Oversee impact and evaluation measures
● Ensure liability insurance is maintained for community gardens
● Support other WCG staff overseeing outreach and marketing 
● Perform website/database management to support program’s activities

Team Management – 30%
Hire, onboard, and provide ongoing support to maintain a CG team 
● Facilitate regular team and 1x1 meetings 
● Maintain policies, processes, documentation, etc. to support teamwork across program staff
● Lead in navigating interpersonal conflicts between managers and gardeners 
● Lead decision-making processes regarding terminating gardeners’ membership and drafting custom relationship agreements when needed
● Lead/support communication and collaboration with partners 
● Support team’s collaboration across WCG departments
● Coordinate with program managers and Agriculture Operations staff (CG Site Manager) ensuring that all WCG community garden sites are well-maintained, safe, and functioning
● Effectively communicate roles and responsibilities between partners, and WCG staff throughout garden design, installation, gardener recruitment, and maintenance phases
● Support team members in professional development/growth opportunities
● Lead team in long-term program planning vision 

Additional Outreach & Education Responsibilities – 20%
Oversee resources to strengthen and support community garden organizers throughout Salt Lake County and grow WCG as a leader in the field.
● Host trainings for community garden leaders
● Develop online/print resources related to community garden development/management
● Oversee distribution of in-kind donations to community gardens
● Participate in relevant regional coalitions/task forces, as time allows

WCG Administrative Responsibilities - 10%
● Work with External Relations team to share stories ethically and respectfully about program participants and build support for the program
● Assist with grant proposals and reports as needed (including  data tracking)
● Attend weekly staff and director meetings and support overall goals of WCG
● Attend and assist in WCG special events 
● Serve as a reliable link between the Community Garden Program and WCG as a whole

Qualifications:
Strong candidates will offer the following skills and experiences:
● Community organizing skills and experience: neighborhood organizing, community development, or grassroots organizing
● Proven success in building, developing and managing a team of 4 or more employees
● Strong commitment to community empowerment, social justice, and community food security
● Negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to help individuals and groups overcome setback

●Excellent oral and written communication skills; public speaking, materials development, and leading meetings
● Ability to build coalitions and develop new partnerships and programs
● Experience with collaborative work projects
● Experience in evaluating programs and data reporting
● Highly organized; able to juggle multiple issues, deadlines, project responsibilities
● Minimum 5 years’ experience working in the non-profit or advocacy worlds, or equivalent experience
● Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google suite, and database experience
● Experience working with racially and ethnically diverse communities and understanding of the need for culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs
● Proven ability to work in or with the public sector
● Demonstrated experience managing volunteers
● Strong conflict prevention and management skills
● Educational program development and teaching experience

Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience in urban gardening/farming and organic methods
● Extensive knowledge of communities along the Wasatch Front
● Familiarity with budget creation, management, and reporting
● Ability to work within a budget creatively
● Knowledge and/or experience managing public programs or facilities
● Non-English Second language skills strongly encouraged
● Familiarity with local resources (gardening, community)
● Willingness to work some evening and weekend hours
● Ability to travel throughout Salt Lake County to meet with diverse groups and individuals and attend community meetings and events

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

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Deadline

May 28, 2025