Company description

The NYC Compost Project hosted by Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden seeks an enthusiastic individual with compost and outreach experience for a full-time Compost & Farm Educator position.

The NYC Compost Project, created by the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in 1993, works to reduce waste in NYC and rebuild NYC's soil by providing New Yorkers with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to produce and use compost locally. NYC Compost Project programs and staff are funded and managed through the DSNY Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability (BRS) in partnership with host institutions.

Snug Harbor was founded in 1801 as a haven for retired sailors.  Today the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (SHCC) is a vibrant regional botanical and arts center serving 450,000 visitors per year. Located less than 1.5 miles from the Staten Island Ferry and accessible by public transportation, SHCC’s stunning 83-acre campus features 26 architecturally significant buildings, nine botanical gardens and a 2 acre working farm.  SHCC’s 680-seat Music Hall is New York City’s second oldest music hall and is a centerpiece for local performing.  In addition to SHCC’s own programs, its campus houses several separate major nonprofit institutions.  Snug Harbor is a must-see City-wide cultural destination that provides arts, education, and entertainment to the public. 

Job description

Full Time Compost & Farm Educator, NYC Compost Project hosted by Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden

THE POSITION

The Compost-Farm Educator is employed by Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (SHCC) and is managed by the Project Manager at the NYC Compost Project Hosted by SHCC. This position is primarily responsible to design and implement advanced compost education and expand onsite processing capacity. This person will also participate in organics collection and processing, communications, event planning, and volunteer management.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES:

• Design, document and implement educational programming focused on composting and urban agriculture for all ages (e.g., Sprout to Mouth, Food Bank Urban Agricultural Training Series, Community Compost sites and Master Composter Certificate Course)
• Design and implement onsite programming that demonstrates the benefits of compost (i.e., monthly workshops, turn & learns, etc.)
• Model best practices in urban composting operations to produce high-quality finished material and expand processing capacity
• Maintain NYC Compost’s Demonstration Site at SHCC. Duties include but are not limited to weeding, mulching, pruning, mowing, debris removal or other garden-related maintenance responsibilities
• Identify opportunities for public outreach, plan and execute promotional events and volunteer workdays
• Onsite volunteer coordination (Compost & Farm)
• Provide assistance to Compost Project Manager, Heritage Farm Manager and Outreach Coordinator
• Work closely with Snug Harbor Education Coordinator
• Additional duties as determined by the Compost Project Manager

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education preferred
• One full season of experience on a small farm or intensively managed garden
• Knowledge of farm or vegetable & herb production and experience as an educator on a farm or in an outdoor venue
• Ability to be self-directed in on-farm maintenance tasks and outreach activities.
• Experience writing curricula for various ages and abilities
• Experience with diverse computer applications (Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint, GoogleDocs, MS Outlook)

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Strong interpersonal skills. Able to work with the public, alone, and in a team
• Valid NYS driver’s license with clean driving record
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and to perform physically strenuous tasks
• Ability to perform physical outdoor jobs in all weather
• Ability to network with a wide range of persons in a variety of settings (office environs, botanic gardens, schools, community gardens, etc.)
• Knowledge of and commitment to composting
• Bobcat/Tractor skills preferred but not required
• Carpentry skills preferred but not required
• Bi-lingual preferred but not required
• Weekend and evening hours as needed
• Local travel required

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualified candidate for this position will bring a mix of energy, adaptability, judgment, coaching and communication, sense of humor, and “roll up the sleeves attitude” towards their work. 

Compensation

this position is: salaried

Application instructions

Deadline

July 18, 2016