KCCG is hiring!
Please read the job descriptions below and instructions on how to apply.
Schoolyard Gardens Coordinator
Kansas City Community Gardens, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has an opening for a Schoolyard Gardens Coordinator. KCCG empowers and inspires low-income households, community groups and schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area to grow their own vegetables and fruits. The Schoolyard Gardens (SYG) program partners with over 200 area schools to develop and coordinate vegetable gardens on school grounds.
KCCG seeks to hire a diverse staff and believes diversity and inclusion strengthen our communities and workplaces. KCCG does not discriminate based on race, gender identity, religion, age, ethnicity, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or citizenship status.
Position Description: The Schoolyard Gardens K-12 Coordinator will support schools with developing, coordinating, planting, maintaining and harvesting food-producing gardens located on school grounds with the purpose of increasing student’s knowledge of gardening, nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Salary range: Full Time, $30,000 - $33,000 /year with full health insurance coverage, HSA account, paid 2 weeks vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and retirement account (with employer match)
Reports to: Schoolyard Gardens Director
Responsibilities:
1. Carry a caseload of existing Schoolyard Gardens (SYG):
a. Build relationships with SYG leaders to understand and support their garden’s mission
b. Conduct garden site visits to identify needs and provide technical assistance to ensure garden success
c. Work with site coordinators to develop planting and harvesting plans
d. Coordinate resource delivery of seeds, plants, tools and supplies
e. Assess for and physically assist with garden constructions including loading supply materials in/out of truck, shoveling soil, carrying lumber
2. Develop and support new Schoolyard Gardens:
a. Assist groups with technical site planning and development for new gardens
b. Work with schools to identify garden mission and goals for engagement
c. Draft cost estimates, place orders for soil and prepare construction supplies
d. Lead students ands school staff in raised bed garden constructions
3. Provide gardening education and technical assistance to school garden coordinators:
a. Support SYGs in becoming self-sustaining by developing resources and activities gardens can use at their sites related to cafeteria, curriculum, and/or community engagement
b. Contribute to the SYG library of online resources including: lesson plans, instructional videos, weekly blog, monthly newsletter
c. Assist SYG team in leading presentations, trainings and workshops for schoolyard gardening
d. Prepare harvest kits and lead simple cooking demonstrations at schools using garden produce
4. Collect data and maintain program records:
a. Work collaboratively with the SYG staff using Salesforce, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Canva, and other online collaborative platforms
b. Utilize Salesforce customer relationship management system to update and distribute enrollment forms, seasonal order forms, grant forms and invoices
c. Assist SYG Director with grant applications, distribution, record keeping and follow up
5. Participate in the overall operations and mission of Kansas City Community Gardens: To empower an inspire low-income households, community groups, and schools in the Kansas City Metropolitan area to grow their own vegetables and fruit
6. Perform other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
● Ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing
● Team player mindset—ready and excited to pitch in where needed, but also able to work independently on projects
● Proactive problem-solving abilities and thorough follow-through
● Capable and proficient with various software. Examples include client relationship management systems, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Canva, iContact and other platforms
● Skilled at interacting in a professional, positive, curious, and confidential manner with others and to function as an ambassador of the organization in a wide variety of venues and circumstances
● Interest and desire to work with diverse communities across all of Kansas City
● Ability to assist with and lead garden constructions, work comfortably outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and lift up to 50 lbs
● Passion for supporting students and schools in and around Kansas City
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
● Experience working with community gardens, horticulture, community engagement, education and outreach across all abilities and age span
● College degree in relevant field (social work, community development, horticulture, education, nutrition etc.)
● Vegetable gardening and community gardening experience
● Proven record in working with adults and youth from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds
● Educational experience (teaching/training at some level)
● Experience working with non-profit organizations and volunteers
Additional Information/Requirements:
● This position is a full-time salaried position with excellent benefits.
● Candidates must own or have unrestricted access to reliable automobile transportation, provide proof of car insurance and a copy of a valid Missouri or Kansas driver’s license.
● Candidate must be available to work limited weekday evenings and Saturdays
Please format resume and cover letter as PDF and email to: Hannah Ebling-Artz, Schoolyard Gardens Director -
syg{at}kccg.org
Application deadline: January 27th or until position is filled
Spring Intern
Spring Internship Overview: Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) Spring Internship Program is intended for those interested in service-learning opportunities related to horticulture, greenhouse management and operations, healthy food access and equity, and community development in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The internship provides a focused look at Kansas City Community Gardens’ Greenhouse Department, its day-to-day operations and duties. The department is responsible for growing and caring for over 175,000 transplants a year, which are offered to hundreds of community households, schools and community organizations during the spring, summer and fall. The Greenhouse department plays an essential role in the organization's mission to empower our community to grow healthy food affordably. In addition to working closely with our Greenhouse department, interns will also have the opportunity to work with the Beanstalk Children’s Garden Program and Giving Grove Program, assisting staff with the day-to-day duties in the educational garden, demonstration orchard, nursery, and insectary. The Spring Internship Program offers a unique hands-on learning opportunity, where interns will gain an in-depth view of greenhouse operations, and vegetable and fruit plant care and maintenance.
About KCCG: Kansas City Community Gardens is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that empowers low-income households, schools and community groups to grow food-producing gardens. We support a city-wide network of 753 school and community gardens and 3,000 home gardeners who grow nearly 1 ½ MILLION pounds of healthy food each year.
Timeframe: 140-225 hours. February 6th – May 12th
Hours: 9-18 Hours per week, Mondays – Fridays
Responsibilities:
Greenhouse Duties
- Assist with pre and post-germination of transplants, including preparing and filling growing medium into transplant trays, sowing trays, transporting, moving and organizing trays in the germination room and greenhouse, and labeling trays
- Monitoring temperature ranges in the greenhouse
- Watering and weeding transplants
- Monitoring and identifying potential pests in greenhouse
- Potting, watering and transplanting bulbs, and other warm-season vegetation showcased in the Beanstalk Children’s Garden during the late spring and summer
- Preparing and organizing seed and transplant orders for partnering schools and community organizations
- Weeding and maintaining greenhouse
Beanstalk Children’s Garden (BCG) and Giving Grove Duties
- Assist KCCG staff with regular spring garden and orchard maintenance such as weeding, watering, mulching, harvesting, pest and disease monitoring, transplanting and pruning
Gardens construction and off-site support
- Assist with on-site and off-site constructions and maintenance projects at KCCG and partner-managed community gardens
Qualifications desired:
- Ability to perform outdoor duties in varying weather conditions
- Knowledge of vegetable gardening
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to perform duties that require some fine motor skills and attention to detail
- Ability to perform duties that require lifting, reaching, bending, and being on your feet for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift 30 lbs.
- Interest to work and engage with a diverse community
- Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing
- Ability to present friendly professional customer service
- Interest and experience in working with low-income families
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume to Gabriel Racca - volunteer{at}kccg.org