Natural Bridges Farm Supervisor

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is a 21 year-old nonprofit corporation based in Santa Cruz, CA dedicated to improving life by bringing together people from throughout the community in meaningful activities, teaching principles and practices of environmental, emotional, and economic sustainability, and providing work experience and wages for those who are homeless.

Position Overview:

HGP seeks an experienced and dedicated individual to assist with the operations of the agriculture-based job-training program. We specifically seek an enthusiastic and outgoing person skilled in horticulture, program development, marketing, human relationships, and building partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a sincere commitment to ending homelessness and have experience working with individuals facing homelessness and/or mental health challenges.

Area of Focus: Homelessness, Job training, Farming and Agriculture, Social Entrepreneurship, community

Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Farm Manager, the Supervisor assists in planning and implementation of all aspects of the program, to include production, and marketing for Natural Bridges Farm, Homegrown Gardens, and Women's Organic Flower Enterprise. The Supervisor is directly responsible for the job-training component of the program.

Job Training/Education:

• Responsible for hiring, and supervision of trainees participating in job training program.
• Planning, implementation, and supervision of our job-training program. This involves daily infield teaching and maintaining a safe, productive work site.
• Develop and implement lectures and hands-on training programs for trainees; training in general work skills and behaviors such as, problem solving and social skills.
• Conduct training in horticulture skills such as propagating and tending annuals and perennials, composting, bed preparation, irrigation.
• In coordination with the Farm Director, daily management of work crews and assignment of garden duties to trainees, interns, volunteers, and community service workers.
• Conduct regular evaluations of clients' progress in technical and general work skills.
• Facilitate quarterly meetings with trainees and individual meetings as needed.
• Serve as a positive role model
• Provision of meals and oversight of kitchen
• Follows all aspects of trainees' program, year-round

Supervision:

• Assist in the supervision of trainees, interns, and volunteers
• Enforce the policies of the Homeless Garden Project, including reliability, tardiness, and drug/alcohol abuse
• Provide support to help each trainee meet their personal goals that increase their long-term personal and economic stability
• Share with Farm Manager the performance of quarterly, confidential progress "check ins"
• Facilitate weekly circle meetings of staff and trainees

Farm Production:

• Assist with planting, maintenance, and harvesting of all farm products.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of all production goals for the farm.
• Jointly responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategy for CSA, nursery, WOFE and holiday store.

Public Relations:

• Knowledgeably represent the organization and its programs to the community at large, presenting talks, lectures and guided tours to donors, civic organizations or visiting groups, together with a trainee whenever possible
• Maintain and foster relationships with other public and nonprofit agencies, businesses and individuals
• Responsible for CSA member documentation, CSA weekly newsletter and email.

Qualifications:

Skills:

• Strong physical labor skills (e.g. sit, stand, bend, lift, walk, carry)
• Working knowledge of organic gardening methods
• Demonstrated ability to make assignments and follow up on completion/evaluation
• Demonstrated ability to both follow and give directions, seek assistance, when needed
• Requires ability to work early morning hours, evening hours and weekends; in all weather conditions
• Organization and timeliness; attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to organize, delegate, give direction, monitor others

Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of very broad horticultural experience
• An academic degree, equivalent work experience, or a combination of both, in one or more of the following areas: horticulture, horticulture therapy, organic gardening, social science, human services, environmental science, or related field
• Able to effectively work with all populations to include: individuals with serious mental illness, disadvantaged youth, homeless, students and community members
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully as part of a team

Desirable skills and qualifications:

• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural background
• Effective and positive interpersonal and management skills
• Experience with creating and managing budgets
• Aptitude for craft workshop production
• Commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Experience with social justice issues and affected populations

Compensation: starts at $13.50/hour with opportunities for incremental increases. Benefits: Health reimbursement, 16 days vacation, 6 days sick leave and 9 days paid holiday (under review)

Hours: 25-40 hours/week; including weekend, holiday and evening hours

Reviews begin: June 29, 2011