No More Empty Pots (NMEP) is a grassroots non-profit corporation that connects individuals and groups to improve self-sufficiency, regional food security and economic resilience of urban and rural communities through advocacy and action. No More Empty Pots’ vision is to support communities in becoming self-sufficient and food secure through collaboration and adhering to core values of education, stewardship and sustainability.
Position Description | Community Garden Coordinator
No More Empty Pots seeks an individual who will spend a majority of the time working outside in our community garden with youth, volunteers and community residents and enjoys engaging with people of various ages and abilities, understands basic technology and is interested in hands-on teaching opportunities. The primary responsibilities include: manage Florence community garden, teach gardening basics of planting, growing and harvesting edible and ornamental plants, conduct community and rooftop garden projects and activities, facilitating IoT (Internet of Things) lessons using Makey-Makeys (electronic tool kits), encouraging exploration and understanding of basic conductivity, managing expectations and instructional goals, preparing and organizing before and after instruction times, work with diverse groups of people from a wide-range of ages, as well as social, ethnic and organizational backgrounds.
Required Qualifications:
- Understand growing regional vegetables and fruit in an urban setting.
- Plan and incorporate sustainable and organic gardening principles.
- Guide students through instructional lessons
- Organize and facilitate summer programs in community garden.
- Record and report on the progress of the garden.
- Operate hand-tools and other garden equipment.
- Manage volunteers that assist with garden maintenance through the programming months (typically May – October).
- Model respect and curiosity for learning and encourage students’ interests and talents.
- An ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding environment
- Experience in teaching/engaging in positive youth development
- Experience working with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Skills, Qualities, and Experience:
- Strong interpersonal skills, detail oriented, able to work independently and in teams
- Self-motivated and organized, able to meet deadlines and follow through on responsibilities
- Excellent communication skills
- Promote garden programs.
- Cultivate communication and relationships with NMEP staff, volunteers and learners
- Assist with community garden related content development for websites, newsletters, and other outreach materials.
- A minimum of 2 years teaching/engaging with youth.
- A desire for continous learning
FYI Competencies: Competencies that align with culture and engagement within No More Empty Pots
- Communicates effectively (7): Personal and Interpersonal Skills/Being Open and Receptive/ Listening & Organizational Positioning Skills/Communicating Effectively/Presentation Skills & Organizational Positioning Skills/Communicating Effectively/Written Communications
- Cultivates innovation (19): Thought Leadership/Innovation;Strategic Skills/Creating the New and Different/Creativity & Strategic Skills/Creating the New and Different/Innovation Management
- Builds networks (21): Organizational Positioning Skills/Being Organizationally Savvy/ Political Savvy
- Demonstrates self-awareness (29): Personal and Interpersonal Skills/Being Open and Receptive/ Personal Disclosure & Personal and Interpersonal Skills/ Demonstrating Personal Flexibility/Self-Knowledge
- Situational adaptability (31): Personal and Interpersonal Skills/Demonstrating Personal Flexibility/Dealing with Paradox & Personal and Interpersonal Skills/Demonstrating Personal Flexibility/Personal Learning
Working Conditions:
- Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and/or access to reliable transportation as local travel is required.
- Must have the ability to work outside in all-weather performing manual garden labor as necessary.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting required.
- Opportunity for flexible schedule, some evenings and weekend hours are expected.
Wages & Hours: Commensurate with experience; hourly starting at $12 per hour; approximately 25 hours per weekTo Apply: To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to No More Empty Pots at jobs@nmepomaha.org. Be sure to include a cover letter stating why a position with No More Empty Pots is a good fit for you.
