Program Coordinator, Community Gardening Initiative

Job Purpose: To organize, implement, assist, and oversee the development of strategic activities of the Community Gardening Initiative, including internal and external outreach activities, operations of on-site DBG community garden, analysis of one or more potential off-site community gardening projects, creating educational development opportunities, and other efforts designed to promote community gardening in and around the Phoenix metro area. The Coordinator will strive to position the Garden as a leader in promoting best practices in community gardening throughout the Valley.

This is a newly created position, commencing in the second year of the pilot phase of the Garden's community gardening initiative. During the first 12 months of this position, the focus will be on leading the process of analyzing the greater Phoenix community gardening "landscape," to assess where needs exist and how the Garden can fill those needs in collaboration with existing community resources. The culmination of the first year of work will be a series of recommendations to the Garden's leadership about how to structure our own community gardening initiatives. During the second and subsequent years of this position, the focus will be on rolling out the Garden's new community gardening program(s) and striving to assure the success of each project the Garden undertakes.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee and direct staff and volunteers involved with the on-site DBG community garden to develop a day-to-day and long term operations plan for the successful and sustainable use of the garden space. Document best practices observed in the Garden's own community garden.

Organize and facilitate meetings and communications with the internal steering committee and the garden subcommittees.

Recruit and lead a task force to analyze the various options for community garden programs the Garden might undertake, and to frame the various options for Garden leadership to consider. This will include communication with potential outside partner groups and organizations to assess the needs of the community gardening public, thus developing short and long-term strategies that address those needs.

Serve as the Garden's spokesperson for its community efforts and facilitate communication between community partners, providing information, resources, and support for collaborative efforts.

Design, implement, manage, publish, and evaluate educational programs, workshops, or other materials that align with Community Gardening Initiative priorities, and which describe best practices for both internal and external use.

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge, training, and successful track record in community gardening and public outreach.

Proven leadership ability to inspire and manage a team, and to foster a robust discussion among all potential partners about the various options.

Knowledge of grass roots/public advocacy techniques related to community garden development.

Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate well with variety of organizations and people including Garden and community leaders, staff, scientists, volunteers, advocates, academics, donors, city and county representatives, and the general public.

Demonstrated ability to design, implement, manage, and evaluate public participation in horticultural research initiatives using principles of best practice.

Experience and success as program spokesperson in publications and in traditional and social media.

Familiarity with local and regional community garden resources and advocacy organizations.

Awareness of current literature, trends, and developments in community gardens.

Experience with field work, often in challenging terrain and extreme heat.

Credentials:

Bachelor level degree or related experience

How to apply

To apply, please e-mail resume and letter of interest to Human Resources at: hr@dbg.org, fax to: 480 481.8173, or mail to:

Human ResourcesDesert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008

For more information about the Desert Botanical Garden, visit: www.dbg.org.