Community Gardens Assistant

As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving in Atlanta.

Today, we’re looking for you to join us as we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state.

At the Y, we’re an association of like-minded people (staff, volunteers, and members), on the forefront of a movement to ensure that everyone especially children experience an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

• In the course of a year, we provide more than 3,000 children, ages 6 weeks through Pre-K with high-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning;
• give 58,000 youth and teens access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities;
• provide over 200,000 members with programs, services, and facilities to enjoy connection and maintain wellness regardless of age;

and engage over 25,000 volunteers and donors from across Atlanta to share in the gift of supporting their communities.

Nature and Scope : Community Gardens Assistant nurtures the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Y’s community gardens, fostering each to be beautiful learning, growing space for all who use it.

This position assists in the stewardship and operations of our gardens, ensuring that they are welcoming, functional places for our gardeners to grow.

DUTIES :

New Garden Construction :

• Assist Executive Director new garden projects to determine feasibility as needed.
• Assist with installation and workdays.

Education, Communication, and Community Building :

• Partner with Y Staff Team to create programming to educate community members in the field about guidelines, standards, and sustainable gardening practices.
• Serve as a resource to community gardeners about sustainable gardening, gardening in community, and as a connection point to
• Partner with Y Staff Team to plan and implement educational programming and training for Leadership Committees, gardeners, and the general public.
• Act as a liaison for TGY Community Garden, communicating with Garden Committee members regarding operations and facility needs, attend meetings as needed.
• Assist in maintaining productive relationships with garden partners.
• Assist with Opening Day planning and implementation, and with other events.
• Assist or teach educational workshops as needed.

Existing Garden Stewardship :

• Maintain and improve existing garden infrastructure and facilities to allow gardeners to utilize the space for maximum utility and inspiration.
• Communicate with facilities Team to ensure regular maintenance at the community garden sites including mowing, weed whacking, irrigation, and weeding common areas.
• Prepare garden plots, community spaces, and tools for gardeners, incorporating garden, volunteers, and staff in this effort.
• Assist Leadership Committees in identifying and responding to plot abandonments and neglect.
• Maintain tools, irrigation systems, and general garden appearance and to ensure safety at sites.
• Train garden Leadership Committee Members on maintenance activities.
• Implement planting plan from seed to harvest at the Providence Garden each season using sustainable methods.
• Coordinate volunteers to help tend and harvest the garden throughout the season.
• Participate as member of the team that coordinates education and outreach efforts with the Gwinnett Community

Volunteer Management :

Assist in coordinating and facilitating volunteer workdays, including planning and coordinating with group leaders or individuals.

Lead community gardeners and volunteer groups on-site ensuring an organized and safe experience for volunteers.

• Assist in identifying and recruiting gardeners to become Leadership Committee members.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating group team building, educational trainings, and planning sessions for the Leadership Committee members.
• Support and attend garden workdays and community building events as needed.
• Assist in recruiting volunteers.
• Track volunteers / volunteer hours throughout the season.

Administrative Duties

• Assist with Opening Day preparations and communications.
• Assist with updating program database and reports.
• Maintain organized and timely email communications with gardeners, staff, volunteers, and general public.
• Attend regularly scheduled check-in meetings with community garden team.
• Assist in annual survey review and distribution.
• Help grow the community gardens program by bringing ideas to the team and researching other community garden programs and support networks nationally as part of a coordinated, communicative effort with the community gardens team.

We are better when we evolve, connect, and grow. Therefore, we welcome each staff member to take part in this evolution.

Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING :

• Experience working with a diverse group of people with varying age, background, income, etc.
• Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Experience in small-scale sustainable or organic farming or gardening from planning to harvest.
• Experience facilitating, educating and organizing groups while modeling safe work practices.
• Experience with MS Office and general computer proficiency preferred.
• Experience in carpentry or construction helpful but not required.
• Master Gardener or other horticultural / sustainable farming and gardening training helpful but not required.

ERGONOMICS :

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and to work outdoors for extended lengths of time and all weather conditions.
• Must pass the required background check.

Employment and Benefits package for this job posting is offered through the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

Employment Requirement :

• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check including Criminal Record check, Drug Screening and motor vehicle record (MVR) according to company policy.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the US without current or future sponsorship.

This job posting is subject to change at any time.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence.

The opportunities to serve are vast, and we’re looking for a diverse mix of people, who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY to join us and do their best work.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Location :

J.M. Tull Gwinnett Family YMCA