Farm Manager – Part-Time & Seasonal

Title: Farm Manager – Part-Time

Location: Time will be split evenly between Intervale Green (1330 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459) and Bronx Commons (443 E 162nd Street, Bronx, NY 10451)

Reports to: Director of Real Estate

About Us:

The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a community development organization founded on the radically simple idea that all people deserve healthy, vibrant communities.  We build award-winning, sustainable, affordable homes – but our work is not over when our buildings are complete.  WHEDco believes that to be successful, affordable housing must be anchored in strong communities that residents can be proud of.  WHEDco’s mission is to give the South Bronx access to all the resources that create thriving neighborhoods – from high-quality early education and after-school programs, to fresh, healthy food, cultural programming, and economic opportunity. See www.whedco.org for more information.

Job Summary: 

Since 2010, WHEDco has operated a 1,600 square foot rooftop farm with a supplemental ground-level greenhouse at Intervale Green, our Energy Star-rated affordable housing development located in the Crotona Park East neighborhood. In 2021, we will launch a new 3,400 square foot rooftop farm at Bronx Commons, a LEED Silver mixed-use affordable housing development in Melrose.

WHEDco’s rooftop farms provide economic, social, and environmental benefits to the community and environment. The farms promote healthy eating in the Bronx, as hundreds of pounds of food are grown and distributed to residents of each building each year. The rooftop farms also reduce storm water runoff by capturing hundreds of gallons of storm water that would otherwise contribute to NYC’s combined sewer overflow. As a type of green roof, the rooftop farms also enhance the energy-efficiency of the buildings by absorbing solar radiation during the hotter summer months, allowing the buildings to remain cooler to reduce air-conditioning use.

The Farm Manager will tend the rooftop farms (and greenhouse at Intervale Green) to grow food for residents in the buildings, as well as engage residents to participate in farming activities.  The Farm Manager is an hourly, part-time position.  The position will require approximately 10 to 20 hours per week, depending on the season.  The Farm Manager is expected to maintain regular farming hours for resident participation; outside of these regular program hours, the work schedule is flexible each week with prior notification and approval. The Farm Manager must be able to work independently while reporting weekly to the Director of Real Estate.

Responsibilities:          

• Plan, plant, maintain and cultivate WHEDco’s rooftop farms and ground-level greenhouse.
• Develop programs to engage and educate residents in farming practices and healthy eating.
• Partner with other WHEDco departments and outside organizations to offer a robust seasonal schedule of programs and activities.
• Plan and manage regular farm events, including cooking demonstrations using farm produce.
• Coordinate and execute regular harvest giveaways for building residents.
• Recruit and supervise volunteers and student interns to help maintain the farms. 
• Enhance and maintain compost systems.
• Assess and implement water efficiency measures.
• Record and submit weekly reports of participants engaged and farm activities/events completed. Record and submit annual performance reports of participants engaged, farm activities/events completed, pounds of produce harvested and distributed, volunteers engaged and in-kind donations received.
• Manage WHEDco’s rooftop farm social media accounts.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of gardening experience and demonstrated knowledge of horticulture.
• Demonstrated success in developing programs for long-term community engagement.
• Experience managing groups of volunteers.
• Excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and ability to use email and phone for communication.
• Ability to lift and carry farm supplies and produce; ability to crouch, bend and kneel.
• Organized, enthusiastic, and a resourceful problem-solver.
• Fluent or conversational in Spanish a plus.

Competitive hourly rate based on experience.  

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume.

WHEDco affords all qualified applicants equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status or domestic violence victim status, or any other category protected by law.  WHEDco follows the requirements of the New York Human Rights Law with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.