The Agriculture Specialist is responsible for supporting the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Agriculture Team and programs by facilitating agriculture and education activities at multiple sites, including Food Shuttle Learning Gardens, the Food Shuttle Farm, and community partner sites. These activities include maintaining Food Shuttle Agriculture sites, coordinating and leading volunteer groups and occasional interns, facilitating educational activities such as field trips and workshops, and assisting the Gardens staff with maintaining the Community Gardener program. The Agriculture Specialist will engage with the community directly and collaborate with community partners including public and private organizations to aid in the success of Agriculture programs across multiple sites.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform agriculture and operations maintenance across Food Shuttle Agriculture sites including vegetable, pollinator, and rain gardens, food forests, irrigation systems, greenhouses, storage spaces and composting areas.
• Design and execute seasonal crop and garden work plans for vegetable and perennial garden spaces in collaboration with Gardens staff.
• Identify and implement solutions to garden challenges as they emerge including Integrative Pest Management (IPM), disease management, soil health, and other areas as needed.
• Cultivate positive relationships with community gardeners, neighbors, volunteers, and community partners to advance Learning Garden programs and its goals and other community garden initiatives.
• Assist Gardens staff in coordinating the Community Gardeners program, including communications, relationship development, recurring community meetings, enforcement of garden guidelines, conflict resolution, recordkeeping, material distribution, and education
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, horticulture, or similar relevant field preferred; or an equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education that provides the necessary directly relevant skills, knowledge and abilities to perform assigned tasks
• 1+ years of experience working in an agricultural or horticultural field setting required.
• Experience organizing and supervising volunteers preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of agricultural and/or gardening practices (e.g., irrigation systems, soil management, regenerative agriculture, and composting) required
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills required
• Ability to problem-solve and overcome challenges quickly and creatively required
• Autonomy to set own schedule, manage multiple concurrent priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment required
• Strong community engagement skills required
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency to work with participants of all demographics and
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Pay Rate: $18.56 per hour. Benefits include Simple IRA retirement plan with matching contribution. Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
Please send resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to build a team of individuals from diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.
EEO and Everify
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) [Inter-Faith Food Shuttle] provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity.
ADA Compliant: [Inter-Faith Food Shuttle] is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [HR department].
Inter-Faith validates the right to work using E-Verify. Inter-Faith will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and
ABOUT US
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle envisions a hunger free community. We feed our neighbors, teach self-sufficiency, grow healthy food, and cultivate innovative approaches to end hunger. As a member of Feeding America, the Food Shuttle distributes over 9 million pounds of food per year, 37% of which is fresh produce. From Grocery Bags for Seniors, BackPack Buddies, and School Pantries; to Community Health Education and Mobile Markets; Catering and Culinary Job Training; and Community Gardening and a 14-Acre Farm; we go directly to the point of need to empower people and overcome the burden of hunger.
WORKING CONDITIONS
• Work is value-, goal-, and deadline-oriented with frequent interaction with community members and partners.
• Primarily physical work in outdoor settings in all weather conditions and temperatures is required.
• Some computer work in a climate-controlled office setting with extended hours as needed.
• The noise level is typically low to moderate.
• Regular travel between Agriculture Department sites, vendors, and community partners.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required.
• Tools and equipment Utilized
o Laptop, hand tools, and power tools
o MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams)
o Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must have manual dexterity, corrected vision, speech, and hearing to normal range or special accommodations made of sufficient nature for completion of assigned tasks.
• Must be able to safely lift 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Must be able to frequently bend and/or kneel to perform ground-level t