Community Garden Coordinator

World Relief • Kent, WA

11d • $30 - $30

About The Position

The World Relief Western Washington (WRWW) Community Garden Coordinator role exists to serve refugees and immigrants by overseeing a 2-acre community garden and native restoration site where refugee-immigrant community members can grow culturally relevant food. Garden programs focus on practical community garden management and support, food and environmental justice, strengthening the local food system, and advocating for ecologically healthy environments that will result in thriving refugee-immigrant communities.

Requirements

• Mature and personal Christian faith
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
• Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of people – previous cross-cultural experience is required
• A desire to serve immigrants and refugees in support of the mission, vision and values of World Relief
• Gardening/farming experience required
• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects/deadlines at one time
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Self-motivated worker with the ability to problem solve and demonstrate initiative
• Flexibility in schedule with frequent evening or weekend hours required
• Good computer knowledge, including MS Office, and the ability to learn new programs.
• Professionally responsive, dependable, and maintains excellent follow through
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Dependability, flexibility and the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced work environment
• Previous experience teaching/training adults
• Curiosity and a love of learning
• Valid WA State Driver's license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation required
• Ability to perform a variety of physical activities with program participants which may include, but are not limited to, walking, standing for long periods of time, shoveling, digging and lifting up to 50 pounds

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in program oversight preferred
• Previous experience with immigrants and communicating across language barriers is preferred.
• Proficiency in one or more common immigrant languages (Spanish, Dari, Arabic, Ukrainian, French, Burmese, Nepali) highly desirable
• Working knowledge and experience in agriculture and/or the natural sciences is desirable.
• Technical knowledge in the field of environmental science.
• A working knowledge of U.S. food systems and their current inequities.
• Previous experience working with children and youth preferred.
• Experience in a community-facing coordinator role.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of garden site, equipment, and surrounding infrastructure
• Manage the maintenance of all garden-related facilities: garden tool sheds, watering systems (cisterns, hydrants, electric pumps), walking paths, and garden plot infrastructure
• Maintain or coordinate the maintenance (weeding, mulching, composting, pruning) of all natural, community spaces such as the food forest, native restoration zones, raingardens, bioswale, and pollinator berm
• Oversee garden improvements: planting new fruit tree varietals, expanding irrigation systems, creating new native restoration zones, de-paving to expand gardening opportunities, and any other opportunities that expand refugee and immigrant access to agriculture and natural spaces
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Learning and Development Coordinator to maintain and improve the Kids’ Learn and Play Zone
• Assist Resiliency Programs Manager in setting and fulfilling the goals and objectives of the Community Garden
• Develop and promote educational aspects of the Community Garden, including workshops for gardeners and community members, educational tours, leadership trainings and related activities
• Assist the Resiliency Program Manager in soliciting funding for Community Garden programs and infrastructure through grant-writing, donor engagement and events
• Alongside Resiliency Programs Manager, maintain positive relationships & communication with Hillside Church, neighbors and other organizational or governmental partners and stakeholders
• Expand WRWW’s agricultural program offerings through exploring additional partner sites and creating market gardening infrastructure and opportunities
• Maintain up-to-date data and provide regular reports on Community Garden activities and outcomes, including pre- and post-testing, class attendance, etc. Ensure that all grantor reporting requirements are met in a timely manner
• Ensure enrollment/participation goals are reached through community outreach and promotion
• Oversee pre- and post-season surveys and data collection for grant reporting and program evaluation purposes
• Solicit and obtain donations of gardening materials (seeds, plant starts, compost) from local organizations to equip gardeners with the necessary resources to garden
• Cross-program coordination to host events and educational opportunities at the garden, including school-aged focused environmental education
• Supervise garden-focused high school Equity and Sustainability Youth Interns during the summer months, providing mentorship and garden task oversight
• Strengthen relationships with refugee and immigrant community gardeners through wellness check-ins, hosting community-focused events, and resource sharing
• Create bridges to other service organizations (agricultural, legal, ESL, etc.) within the community to refer community gardeners out to for additional needs and services
• Form connections with local ethnic community-based organizations and cultural hubs for program referrals
• Explore creative ways to engage the garden participants in community and economic empowerment related opportunities
• Maintaining a web of partners and relationships with other community garden programs for the purpose of shared learning, resource sharing, and collaboration
• Schedule, plan and coordinate volunteer work parties to engage local partners and complete necessary annual maintenance tasks
• Participate in organizational outreach events to make connections with local volunteer groups
• Maintain positive relationships with recurring volunteer partners
• Collaborate with the Commercial Teaching Kitchen Coordinator and Learning & Development Coordinator to maximize the use of shared spaces for educational opportunities (garden area, commercial teaching kitchen and church building).
• Identify and organize technical experts and volunteer collaborators to support in the instruction and implementation of community garden programs
• Participate in monthly all-staff meetings, staff trainings, periodic leadership meetings, and bi-annual staff retreats
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and employee discount program for full-time, Regular, employees.
• World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees