Community Gardens Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY

Fresno Metro Ministry (Metro) is seeking a Community Gardens Coordinator to engage Hmong speaking community members in the use of community gardens in the City of Fresno. Duties include overseeing the use and maintenance of Metro’s garden sites, conducting bimonthly & annual meetings, and implementing projects to further the work of Metro’s food system work. The Garden Coordinator will primarily provide support to the Al Radka and Peach Community Gardens. The ideal candidate is fluent in Hmong and English with community outreach experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Related experience and interest in community food systems, permaculture and community gardens is a plus.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

While the essential functions outlined below describe a significant portion of this position’s assigned responsibilities, other functions and accountabilities may be assigned as needed to further the mission and work of Metro. 

• Engage community members and gardeners in the maintenance, development, programming and usage of Metro’s community gardens, including but not limited to:
• Site Use and Maintenance: Work with gardeners, interns and volunteers to ensure the site is utilized and accessible for the use of all gardeners 
• Recruit and assign new gardeners to the sites as needed
• Conduct weekly walkthroughs and communicate with gardeners to ensure they follow agreed upon site agreements
• Maintain site usage records and collect site usage fees as needed 
• Report repairs at garden sites as needed
• Outreach, Engagement and Programming: Conduct multilingual and targeted outreach to gardeners and community members:
• Conducting biannual gardener meetings and annual neighborhood meetings on the use and maintenance of the sites
• Recruit and engage volunteers to assist in site development and maintenance as needed and keep track of volunteer data
• Host site events, workshops and programming as needed
• Reporting: Assist with completing progress reports as needed
• Provide support to other Metro program projects and staff as needed

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED
• Experience conducting community engagement and/or community outreach projects 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate ability to read, write and perform basic math skills in English and Hmong
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word and Excel
• Skill and comfort in communicating with groups of all sizes
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends
• Ability to do physical labor and work outside in all weather conditions
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid California driver’s license, and proof of insurance before the first day of employment
• Knowledge of gardening/farming and planting methods is preferred but not required

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is generally performed outdoors in a variety of weather and environmental conditions. Employee is regularly required to sit; stand, walk and climb stairs, speak and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use fingers and hands repetitively to operate office equipment including keyboards and to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel or bend and may lift up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with the ADA to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Accrue and receive paid sick leave. In addition, we will pay into your state disability and unemployment benefits as deductions from your paychecks.

Option to enroll in optional benefit plans such as the Vanguard Retirement Plan and Aflac.