National Orchard Operations Manager
- Date Posted June 01, 2024
- Location Kansas City, MO
- Category Agriculture / Education
- Job type Full-Time
Company description
The Giving Grove is a national 501c3 with a mission to provide healthy calories, strengthen communities, and improve the urban environment through a network of sustainable little orchards. Since our founding in 2017, we have grown our affiliate network – other 501c3s and Extension Schools in the food access and policy sector – to cities from coast to coast. We support these affiliate partners by resourcing, financially supporting, and inviting them into a group of like-minded people sharing best practices.Job description
About Us: The Giving Grove is a national 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing healthy calories, strengthening communities, and improving the urban environment through a network of sustainable little orchards. Since our founding in 2017, we have expanded our affiliate network to include 15 partnerships across the country. We support these affiliate partners by providing resources, financial support, and a community of like-minded individuals sharing best practices.
Job Description: We are currently seeking a Full-Time National Orchard Operations and Education Manager with a background in horticulture, agriculture, or agroforestry, specifically specializing in the holistic (organic/biological) care of fruit and nut trees and small fruits. Educational skills are crucial for this role, as the individual must be comfortable presenting workshops, researching and providing up-to-date horticultural advice, and working with our national network.
Direct Report: Co-Executive Director, Programs
Time Expectations: Full-Time
Salary: Negotiable, starting at $60,000
Benefits:
- Health insurance (100% of premiums paid for employees)
- HSA program
- Simple IRA (3% match)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Flexible work-week hours
- Floating holidays
- Relaxed dress code
- Annual stipend for training and professional development
- A supportive and collaborative team
Responsibilities:
- Manage engagement with Program Managers in our National Affiliate Network (currently 15 programs) to improve their orchard programs in two main areas: Orchard Operations (plant selection and procurement, regionally specific research, maintenance, and care) and Education (for Program Managers and Volunteer Stewards).
- Manage and run quarterly meetings with program managers.
- Manage virtual workshops (up to 8/year) on topics such as orchard/food forest planting, care, harvest, biodiversity, community engagement, and expert interviews.
- Contribute content for quarterly newsletters for affiliate partners based on their feedback and interests.
- Assist with updating and improving educational resource development for all regions.
- Assist with data management related to national orchard sites, examples: calculating production estimates of community fruits nuts and berries regionally; evaluation of tree inventory software.
- Assist with content creation and speaker recruitment for the annual national conference based on affiliate partners' feedback and interests.
- Assist with managing the National Orchard Advisory Committee biannual meetings.
- Use expertise to offer advice and guidance to The Giving Grove staff on national orchard operation models and approaches.
- Present at one national conference each year.
- Expand and build on your unique skill sets to contribute to our growing network.
- Participate in additional Giving Grove activities as mutually agreed upon.
Qualifications and Candidate Preferences:
- Educational focus or certification in the horticulture field.
- 5+ years of direct experience in caring for fruit/nut trees.
- Experience working in Urban Agriculture.
- Experience working with and/or ordering from nurseries.
- Commitment to biological and organic methods of orchard care.
- Understanding of land trusts, conservation easements, and land bank policies.
- Understanding of issues of equity and access in food policy, land acquisition, and greenspace.
- Strong commitment to collaboration.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: The Giving Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.
Compensation
this position is: salaried, 50k-75kLocation
job can be done remotelyApplication instructions
Deadline
July 31, 2024