Community Garden Liaison

JOB TITLE: Community Garden Liaison

REPORTS TO: Garden Program Manager

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

STATUS: Full-time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [if yes, please reference driving policy]

SALARY: $21.00 - $22.00/hr

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Located in Venice, CA, the SPY Community Garden provides members with a safe and engaging outdoor environment that highlights food justice, community-building, and healing. Through on-site internships and educational workshops that support youth resiliency, creativity and ingenuity, youth develop workforce and life skills, while cultivating greater self-esteem and self-sufficiency. As a member of the Garden Team, the Community Garden Liaison will enhance the Garden’s community-facing programming through meaningful and strategic relationships with community members, volunteers, partners, and youth interns.

In order to expand the SPY Community Garden’s engagement with the community, the Community Garden Liaison will organize and execute educational workshops, volunteer days, and farm-to-table meals that promote relationship-building and skill-development for youth and community members. Additionally, the Community Garden Liaison will support SPY’s blooming social enterprise, The Color of Hope Collective, as well as the Garden’s workforce development program.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of direct service to at-risk populations and trauma-informed care. Specific knowledge or experience related to transition-aged youth experiencing homelessness is a plus.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Support the SPY Garden Program Manager with onsite supervision of youth interns and facilitation of garden-related curriculum that focuses on topics like soil and plant health, cooking skills, food justice and more.
• Plan and facilitate garden-related skill-based workshops for youth. Work collaboratively with youth interns to include them in the planning and facilitation of workshops.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer and Advocacy Program Manager to coordinate volunteer engagement at the SPY Community Garden.
• Support community members/volunteers as they engage with the garden and youth interns in a trauma-informed, strengths-based way.
• Plan and facilitate community-facing workshops and volunteer days.
• Actively conduct outreach and cultivate relationships with industry and community partners.
• With the Development Team, coordinate quarterly Farm-to-Table events for community members at the Garden.
• Support The SPY Garden Program Manager in coordinating and overseeing the SPY Garden Farm Stand and additional social enterprise events.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and evaluation.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in any related field is preferred, but not required.
• 1+ years of professional experience in farming/gardening is required.
• 1+ years of experience working with transitional aged youth (18-25 yrsA commitment to and passion for the mission, vision, values and culture of SPY is preffered.
• Lived experience of homelessness is a plus. Please include a cover letter if so.
• A willingness to work collaboratively as a part of the SPY team and ability to work harmoniously as a part of a diverse workforce.
• A strong interest in providing direct service to youth experiencing homelessness and pursuing a career in the field of social services.
• A self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging community.
• An ability to work in a fast paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of organizations and individuals.
• Able to take a strengths-based approach when working with others.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction and housing first models.
• Must possess great communication and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Drive

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated, weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are limited.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application