Gardening Specialist

Harlem Children's Zone • New York, NY

419d • $45,000 - $55,000

About The Position

The Gardening Specialist at Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) plays a vital role in promoting sustainable gardening practices and healthier lifestyles among scholars, educators, and community members. This position is focused on empowering youth to thrive academically, socially, and personally through hands-on gardening and nutrition education, contributing to HCZ's mission of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Botany, Environmental Science, Nutrition, or a related field.
• 1-2 years of experience teaching or facilitating group activities with youth (ages 10-18), particularly in outdoor or environmental settings.
• Expertise in small-scale organic food production, urban gardening, and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and workshop facilitation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, community members, and external partners.

Nice To Haves

• Certification or coursework in garden education, sustainable agriculture, or community health is a plus.
• Experience working with diverse, urban populations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement hands-on gardening and nutrition curriculum for HCZ scholars (ages 10-18) in school and community garden settings.
• Oversee daily operations of HCZ's school and community gardens, including planting, maintaining, harvesting crops, managing supplies, and coordinating garden schedules.
• Mentor students in plant biology, nutrition, and environmental science, fostering a collaborative and health-conscious environment.
• Design and lead professional development workshops for HCZ staff to integrate gardening and wellness into their work.
• Plan and execute community gardening events and volunteer opportunities, collaborating with local organizations and gardening experts.
• Support HCZ's Healthy Harlem initiative by advocating for healthy eating and active living through gardening.
• Supervise volunteers and student helpers in the garden, providing mentorship and ensuring a positive experience.
• Track and report on program participation, student engagement, and the impact of gardening education.

Benefits

• Highly competitive base salaries
• Paid time off
• Employee referral bonus
• Career advancement
• No-cost health insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-and long-term disability
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Wellness discounts
• Commuter benefits
• Financial wellness perks
• Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree