Walnut St Center seeks Organic Garden Coordinator for Grant Project in Somerville

A collaborative grant funded project- “Healthier People, Healthier Community Food Education”– seeks a special person to help coordinate the gardening elements through a part-time contract position. Raised beds are being installed at two residence homes in Somerville, MA serving adults with developmental disabilities. Local partners are assisting with nutritional education support. Project currently funded till May 2013.

Job Title: Organic Garden Site Coordinator

Summary of Skills:

This part-time, grant funded position involves educating, and supporting community gardening, and promoting local healthy food production and consumption to a low income community. The position also involves information collecting, community relations, public education, community organizing, organic gardening, program development and grant writing. Work with multi-cultural groups, people who have disabilities and the low-income community

Job Description:

•Plan, organize and lead all education activities and develop timelines for all garden-related activities to meet established program goals.

•Adapt education plans to meet the needs and abilities of Somerville residents who have developmental disabilities.

•Organize and facilitate all planting, maintenance and harvesting activities in the community.

•Monitor gardener’s progress, needs, and site issues through garden visits and regular contact with garden site assistant and residential house manager.

•Report all program expenses, evaluate program results and prepare related reports, including photo documentation for grant funders as a model project that can be replicated

•Manage mail and email communication.

•Supervise community garden site assistant.

•Attend all meetings associated with this project to report progress towards the program’s goals.

•Be respectful to the rights and needs of adults who have developmental disabilities.

•Encourage and facilitate the development of the greatest level of independence with the developmentally disabled adults’ gardening skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

•Two years of college. Degree in agriculture, forestry, science, ecology or related field preferred. (Relevant experience can be substituted for college background.)

•Knowledge and experience with organic and community gardening.

•Experience in teaching individuals and small groups, leading and establishing positive rapport with people of diverse backgrounds (e.g., people who have disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds.)

•Ability to develop extensive work plans and work independently.

•Good physical condition and ability/willingness to participate in intense physical labor.

•Ability to start immediately.

Reporting and Compensation:

Coordinator will report to Emma Taddeo. Compensation, dependent on experience, up to $18/hr for up to 174 hours. Contract position, grant funded through May 2013.

If interested, please submit resume and cover letter as soon as possible to Emma Taddeo at TaddeoE@wscinc.org. Position open until filled and ideally will start by July 1st. Organizational info at www.wscinc.org