Director of Urban Agriculture and Programming

Learn more and apply here: 

https://growpittsburgh.bamboohr.com/jobs/

Preferred deadline of November 4. 

Position Title: Director of Urban Agriculture and Programming

Position Reports to: Executive Director

FLSA: Exempt

The Director of Urban Agriculture and Programming provides leadership, guidance, and supports the overall operations and educational programming at Grow Pittsburgh’s farm sites.  This includes on-site agricultural production, Urban Farmers in Training, Workshops, and Grow Pittsburgh’s adult educational experiences.  Responsible for the overall visioning, strategic planning, and success for all programming offered on Grow Pittsburgh’s farm sites: Braddock Farms, Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery, Shiloh Farm, and The Frick Greenhouse.

The ideal candidate will support and guide our farm team through all aspects of strategic visioning while supporting Grow Pittsburgh’s commitment to our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion practices.  The Director is responsible for creating and nurturing a collaborative team culture across all farm sites and urban agriculture programs.

Direct Reports: Braddock Farms Manager, Garden Dreams Greenhouse and Farm Manager, Shiloh Farm and Greenhouse Manager, the Urban Agriculture Programs Manager, and contractors as necessary

General Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and management of direct reports and seasonal staff
• Develop and manage evaluation metrics and data collection 
• Conduct presentations, educational tabling, and relevant events 
• Participate in general Grow Pittsburgh meetings, committees and initiatives
• Participate in public meetings on behalf of Grow Pittsburgh’s Farm Sites
• Actively manage all department’s programs and sites overall budget 
• Lead tours of Grow Pittsburgh’s Farm Sites as necessary for programming or fundraising with the direction of the Executive Director
• Serve as a liaison with community organizations and attend relevant community events 
• Manage and direct community feedback processes for farm sites: including focus groups, surveys, and community meeting with assistance from Farm Education team
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations

Agricultural Production and Food Access:

• Final oversight of all part-time hiring for the Farm Education and Production team
• Responsible for ensuring farm managers keep Grow Pittsburgh’s Food Safety plan up to date to keep in compliance with food safety regulations - including Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• Responsible for ensuring Grow Pittsburgh is compliant with all nutrition programs for income - including EBT, FMNP, and Food Bucks
• Responsible for managing the Farm Stand And Seedling Sale coordinator to purchase and deliver supplemental produce for markets
• Work with the Farm Stand and Sales Coordinator to create opportunities in partnership with local organizations, businesses and farms as it relates to food access - and attend any necessary meetings to provide guidance and leadership
• Manage Farmers Markets and Pop-ups in designated food apartied areas
• Understand and comply with regulations surrounding markets and produce sales
• Create and manage systems for staff to track and share production metrics

Farm Sites Operations and Training:

• Troubleshoot and support Farm Managers in technical aspect of farm operations
• Manage and coordinate farm infrastructure needs: restrooms, trash collection, landscaping, internet, and other needs for the operation of the farm sites
• Assist with Farm Tasks as needed to support the ongoing farm operations, including but not limited to farm work, farm stands, seedling sale, and deliveries
• Support program managers to facilitate site specific worker training procedures
• With Farm Managers, establish and update clear onboarding training for staff, volunteers and youth
• Establish site specific safety policies with the assistance of the Farm Managers

Grow Pittsburgh Workshop Series (All Departments)

• Host Educational Committee with relevant staff for: 
  • Workshop curriculum creation
  • Cross departmental field trips
• Oversee the Urban Agriculture Programs Manager in creating and managing yearly workshop schedule for Grow Pittsburgh’s adult education for all programs and departments
• Oversee Urban Agriculture Programs Manager in coordinating with all internal and external facilitators as needed to operate workshop series.  
• Have cross department meetings with staff to ensure all departments follow schedule
• Develop and support Farmer Training Initiative

Events

• Organize and support planning for and implementation of annual events such Urban Farm Tour and other partner events, often in collaboration with Grow Pittsburgh staff and partner organizations 
• Collaborate and assist with the planning and implementation for yearly on farm events with farm managers: events included but are not limited to open houses, seedling sales, Zucchini Festival, and Braddock Farms Fall Festival 

Workforce Development

• Provide supervision to the Urban Agriculture Programs Manager:
  • Urban Farmers in Training
  • Youth Garden Summit
  • PASA Pre-Apprenticeship
• Attend any relevant meetings for the program's direction.

Farm Education Resources

• Responsible for keeping Grow Pittsburgh resource library - Info Hub, updated and relevant with current growing practices
• Responsible for coordinating content creation.
• Share content with Communications Coordinator for formatting and distribution

Qualifications, Skills & Requirements:

• At least 3 years in a managerial position
• Experience managing and supervising a large and diverse team
• Experience in community organizing and outreach required
• Experience with field-based educational programming preferred 
• Hands on experience working with urban agriculture or farmers required
• Outgoing, friendly and confident in public speaking and individual relationship building
• Proven commitment or connection to Homewood, Point Breeze, Braddock, Wilkinsburg and greater Mon Valley region preferred 
• Independent self-starter
• Experience working on teams with multiple internal and external partners
• Nights and weekends occasionally required
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, including the ability to plan events, organize workers, delegate tasks and set strategic priorities
• Ability to do physical and labor intensive work in all weather conditions for up to 8 hours.
• Ability to lift and carry 30-50 pounds
• Access to a reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license required
• Must able to drive company vehicles as needed for large purchases and deliveries
• Must attain Pennsylvania child abuse clearances
• Proficiency with PowerPoint, Google Workspace, Excel, Salesforce, and WordPress
• Full Vaccination for COVID-19 Required

Benefits:

The Complete salary range for this position is $53,000 - $68,000   Great benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage, mileage reimbursement and partial cell phone reimbursement.  Professional development budget provided.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Grow Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or belief.  We encourage a diversity of candidates to apply for the position.

Data shows that women and minority candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you!

How to apply:

Qualified candidates should submit their resume and cover letter via the Grow Pittsburgh Hiring Portal.  Priority deadline of Nov 4, but will consider applications until the position is filled.