Engagement and Programming Seasonal Assistant

Industry: Not‐for‐Profit – Environmental  

Department: Engagement and Programming  

Reports to: Director of Engagement  

Salary: $23/hour 

Schedule: Full time, 40 Hours/Week  

Start date: ASAP 

End date: October 27, 2024 

For over 25 years, NYRP has invested in and stewarded parks and gardens throughout the city’s five boroughs to strengthen communities, promote food sovereignty, and counter environmental and social injustice. Effectively carrying out our mission requires collaboration, synergy, and understanding of the communities we serve and their leadership on many different levels. 

Summary 

As a part of the Engagement and Programming Department (E+P), the Engagement and Programming (E+P) Seasonal Assistants will work directly with the Director of Engagement and Programming to build the capacity of community garden groups through community organizing, the provision of information, and event support. In addition to working with community garden groups, the E+P Assistant will support NYRP public programming across the city, particularly in NYRP gardens. The E+P Assistant will have the opportunity to work alongside all divisions within the E+P department including Public Programming and Urban Agriculture. The E+P Assistant will be responsible for a specific NYRP catchment area and/or designated to special projects throughout the season, serving as an ambassador for NYRP.  

Responsibilities will include:  

• Provide assistance to the Director of Engagement and Programming by supporting special projects and areas of focus as they relate to garden groups and community engagement. 
• Attend and participate in monthly garden group meetings (supporting groups by taking notes, supporting meeting facilitation, etc.) and communicating this information back to E+P Manager(s). 
• Working with garden groups to increase community participation in activities which may include but are not limited to open houses, mutual aid activities, public events, and skill shares. 
• Supporting NYRP outreach, which may include tabling, flyering, and some canvassing, as assigned. 
• Tracking and reporting community activities and participation in and around NYRP gardens. 
• Assist with identifying new partnership opportunities and emerging stakeholders and opportunities in designated catchment area.  
• Attend and support community-based and NYRP-led events in designated NYRP gardens.  
• Assist in the planning and execution of network-wide events. 
• Assist in data collection and updating NYRP’s database and CRM system.  

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; HS diploma required.  
• 1-2 years of community engagement experience and/or working with underserved and low-income communities.  
• Willingness to work on a flexible schedule; evenings and weekends are required. 
• Ability to travel throughout NYC; working in all 5 boroughs.  
• Well-developed organizational skills with an orientation to detail. 
• A self-starter with a strong desire to learn. 
• Computer experience (Microsoft Office and Adobe) 
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred. 
• Ability to lift 50 pounds (unloading trees and carrying equipment is a common part of the role) 
• COVID vaccination is required to be considered for the position.