SUNNYDALE GARDEN PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Part-time, hourly, temporary (1-year) position starting Summer 2021

Urban Sprouts is a food justice organization working primarily in the Excelsior, Mission, Mission Bay, and Visitacion Valley Neighborhoods. In these communities, our work is based in five garden sites and includes garden-based education programs, job training, a neighborhood farmers’ market stand, and community nutrition and cooking classes.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about positively impacting the health of their community through working in the gardens. The Program Associate position, under the guidance of a Program Manager, works as part of a team to manage the gardens in the Sunnydale Public Housing Development. Associates may also support our work at June Jordan School for Equity and Parklab Community Garden.

This position involves working in the gardens, which are peaceful, welcoming spaces to all people, to provide fresh food and flowers for the community. We work primarily in outdoor settings in different weather conditions, and with physical labor which involves digging, lifting, crouching, and bending.

Job Responsibilities

  • Garden Management

    • Manage garden sites

      • Typical tasks include weeding, watering, fertilizing, planting, pruning.

      • Additional tasks may include light painting, carpentry and construction projects, sign-making, trash cleanup

      • Keep records of tasks accomplished and identify tasks to be done in the garden

      • Assist in corporate and school group volunteer garden days at the garden, with some of the above tasks

  • Participate in In-house Professional Development and Job Readiness Training

    • Topics will include horticultural techniques, leadership, health/nutrition, public speaking, financial capacity, marketing, customer service, and community building

    • Write up a goal-setting and personal development plan

      • This plan can also be used to work on special focus or projects related to the Program Associate’s work

Desired Skills and Qualifications

The team of Program Associates, under the guidance of the Program Manager, takes care of the garden spaces. Successful candidates must be able to work both as a team and sometimes independently without supervision. Experience working in a garden is helpful, but not required. If needed, we will provide training on how to manage a garden.

Ideal candidates show strong interest and have experience working in communities around capacity-building or other efforts that address community needs. We strongly encourage applications from those living in or from Sunnydale or the surrounding neighborhoods. Candidates have a passion for learning about and sharing resources like information and fresh food with others. Candidates also will have the ability to communicate and interact with visitors to the garden and other team members clearly and in a respectful manner and model good discretion in the workplace.  Working in teams as well as independently is essential to the success of the gardens. Having the initiative to identify and start garden projects, build consensus, and prioritize needs is helpful as well, as is a willingness to listen and ask questions.

Minimum Requirements:

This position is 6 hours weekly for one year. All candidates must have a social security number or work authorization. Candidates must be current San Francisco residents and over the age of 18. Those aged 25 and older are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

This is a limited term non-exempt, hourly position set firm at $20.00 per hour

To Apply:

This position reports directly to the Program Manager, Herman Yee. Fill out an application at forms.gle/BiLeokV4R5prDQ4e6. If you have any issues with the application, would like an alternative way to apply, or need support with your application, please contact Herman Yee, Sunnydale Program Manager at (415) 533-0003 or herman@urbansprouts.org.

Notes on COVID-19: Until further notice, the program associates will be required to wear a face mask while working and follow Urban Sprouts’ current health and safety rules. All Urban Sprouts staff will be required to report their COVID-19 Vaccination status confidentially to Human Resources.