The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Community Garden Coordinator. The Community Garden Coordinator is responsible for facilitating garden groups in starting and maintaining community gardens in the City of Richmond Parks properties. The Community Garden Coordinator will be under the supervision of the Community Engagement Specialist for the south side of the City of Richmond Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, who will provide guidance and support.
The primary role of the Community Garden Coordinator will be to support the gardens that are participating in the Richmond Grows Gardens program by coordinating community outreach and garden volunteer days, facilitating meetings, and providing on-site educational programming and technical assistance to the garden community. The position requires strong interpersonal skills, community organizing experience and a passion for gardening education and community outreach.
Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity…you!!!
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for community garden groups currently in the program
- Counsel potential and current garden groups on permitting, rules, responsibilities, strategic planning, community engagement, design, and troubleshooting maintenance needs
- Assess current and potential sites for success, soil quality, water access, safety, and neighborhood assets and connections, for compliance with Richmond Grows Gardens Rules and Guidelines and other relevant City ordinances, and improvements/needs
- Coordinate and facilitate planning meetings to design, build, and maintain the gardens
- Work alongside volunteers to build garden infrastructure
- Seek and apply funding through grants, and inform grant opportunities to qualified community partners
- Support the community garden leaders at each site; address their needs in managing the day-to-day gardening activities, including any problems or emergencies that may arise
- Lead and facilitate others in leading regular on-site educational opportunities for gardeners
- Conduct regular site visits at each garden to assess plant health, deliver materials, and ensure garden compliance with all rules and regulations governing community gardens
- Represent Richmond Community Gardens and Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities at relevant community events
- Oversee and facilitate city-wide community garden composting pilot project grant in partnership with Department of Public Works and community partners
- Facilitate and maintain strong working relationships with institutional partners
- Establish and maintain participant tracking and other data collection systems
- Evaluate and report program results
- Create and implement an annual budget and work plan
- Educate program participants on best gardening, construction/design, and community engagement practices
- Supervise AmeriCorps service member(s) and collaborate with program managers to administer the program and provide meaningful opportunities to AmeriCorps participants
- Oversee Bryan Park Greenhouse operations
Essential Personnel: This position is considered an Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions or inclement weather. This individual may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call, as needed.
Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses:
- Skills to include computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Effective oral/written communication
- Customer service
- Leadership
- Basic trade functions and mechanics
- Facility and grounds maintenance
- Grant writing and administration
- Data Management
- Ability to speak publicly
- Organization skills
- Knowledge of Community and City resources needed for the development and expansion of an assigned program
- Community relations and organizing
- Technical aspects of the assigned program such as organic agriculture practices or recycling
- Program planning and evaluation
- Data collection and management
- Public speaking and presentations
- Business, technical, and report writing
- Customer service
- Must have the ability to work with diverse populations, including hard-to-serve and low-income communities to generate trust and cooperation
- Identifying funding to address program service needs
- Multi-tasking and managing competing priorities
- Interpreting and applying relevant policies
- Operating equipment related to assignment
- Critical thinking
- Analyzing information
- Prioritizing
- Organizing
- Managing time
Minimum Training and Experience:
- Associate's degree in the assigned area or a related field
- Two years related experience in horticulture related work
- An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification
Preferred Training and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field
- Experience building relationships in diverse communities
- Creative problem-solving abilities
- Demonstrated ability to work with families and children
- Experience supervising volunteers promoting cooperation and team building
- Diplomacy and ability to work with a variety of personalities
- Conflict resolution skills
- Sensitivity to and understanding of the experience of people with limited incomes
- Demonstrated cultural competency
- Dedication to promoting equity, inclusivity, and diversity
Licensing, Certifications, and/or Other Special Requirements:
- Valid Virginia Driver's License with an acceptable driving record