Job description

Program Information:

BIG!Compost, a program of Build It Green!NYC (BIG!NYC), is a community-scale composting program, that works to increase capacity for, acceptance of, and participation in composting in New York City. We serve the public by hosting weekly residential food waste drop-off sites, training community members in urban composting best practices, and creating and providing high-quality compost to amend our city’s soils. Our finished compost is used in community gardens, street trees, and in public beautification projects.

The New York City Local Organics Recovery Program (LORP) was launched in the spring of 2012 by DSNY to provide NYC residents with a wider range of food scrap drop-off opportunities. Organic materials dropped at LORP sites are processed locally.

The Position:

BIG!Compost and the New York City Compost Project seeks an enthusiastic individual with composting operations experience to join BIG!Compost as a part-time Field Assistant for NYC Compost Project’s Local Organics Recovery Program, a program of DSNY’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in all aspects of compost production: planning, planting, management, maintenance, and communication surrounding compost sites.
• Monitor and maintain the health and productivity of each batch of compost.
• Assist Field Coordinators with on-site operations and equipment maintenance, such as fork lift, skid steer and Jay Lor.
• Enhance the quality and efficiency of operations and maintain a safe work environment.
• Assist with intake, storage and distribution of DSNY compost and mulch at BIG!NYC reuse centers in Astoria and Gowanus.
• Construct new composting systems as needed at processing sites, and facilitate visits to compost sites for interested groups.
• Run compost drop-off stations at farmer’s markets and other public events.
• Manage volunteers at BIG!Compost volunteering events.
• Act as an ambassador of the project to the public.
• Maintain various composting processing sites and work with the managing groups or organizations to ensure all site requirements are met.
• Sites must be kept clean and presentable to provide the public with a positive experience of composting.
• Additional duties as determined by BIG!Compost Program Manager and NYC Compost Project Program Manager.

Qualifications:

• Ability to drive a cube truck and operate heavy machinery; carpentry experience.
• Ability to work independently in a time efficient manner; able to work weekends.
• Strong communication skills and experience supervising volunteers.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds alone, or a shared load of up to 70 pounds per person; and to generally handle physically strenuous, repetitious tasks in a variety of weather conditions.
• Experience with community organizing, carpentry, and education.
• Commitment to and working knowledge of composting practices for urban settings.
• Basic understanding of NYC government and DSNY’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.
• A passion for urban agriculture and community-based outreach.

Compensation:

This is a part time position for 20-30 hours per week, paying $15.00 per hour.

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

February 19, 2014