Food Bank Garden Project Coordinator Job and Farm Intern, WA

Food Bank Garden Project Coordinator and Farm Intern - Bellingham, WA Bellingham Food Bank is recruiting an hourly, part-time and year-round position which will fill two different openings: (1) Garden Project coordinator and (2) Food Bank Farm Intern. Application Deadline: January 16th, 2012 Salary: $13-15 per hour (1)The Garden Project (.3 FTE, year-round) The Garden Project builds raised-bed vegetable gardens at the homes of low- income members of the community with the intention of increasing their access to fresh and healthy foods. Gardeners are given soil, seeds and plant starts, basic gardening resources, and connection to a mentor if they so desire. Entering its third year, The Garden Project has built 53 gardens to date and aims to build 20-25 more each year.  Each year, the project aims to build 20-25 gardens. Gardeners can participate in mentoring placement and seed/plant start support for 2 years. Primary responsibilities include recruitment of gardeners and mentors, garden construction, coordination of springtime workshops, and support of participants and mentors throughout the season. (2) Food Bank Farm Intern (.25 FTE, May-November) The Bellingham Food Bank Farm is a 3-acre production farm located 10 miles north of the City of Bellingham in prime agricultural land.  2012 will be the Food Bank Farm’s sixth full year of production, and the farm hopes to grow over 30,000 lbs of food.  A farm manager runs operations at the Food Bank Farm and oversees large and small crews of volunteers as well as two interns.  All produce is delivered to the Bellingham Food Bank.

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Primary responsibilities include greenhouse management, power equipment operation, irrigation, crop cultivation, harvesting, volunteer management, and working as a member of a coordinated team, and delivery of produce to Bellingham Food Bank

About the Position
This position reports to Bellingham Food Bank’s Agricultural Programs Coordinator as well as to the Food Bank Farm Manager (Farm-related matters only).  Collaboration will be essential to ensure both the Garden Project and the Food Bank Farm are fully integrated with other Bellingham Food Bank projects and that each is visible and engaged with community partners.

Salary: $13-15 per hour, depending on experience. This position accrues vacation and sick time along with a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan. No medical benefits. Hours range depending on the season but peak at .55 FTE for the mid-year months.

Required Experience and Skills
This position requires management and inter-personal experience, including:
1.      Experience with basic construction
2.      Experience in and commitment to organic farm management practices (not less than 1 acre)
3.      Demonstrated leadership experience
4.      Demonstrated event organizing and management
5.      Experience with volunteer training
6.      Ability to work alone and as part of a team
7.      History of working with volunteers and groups from diverse backgrounds.
8.      Ability to lift 50 lbs
9.      A current drivers license and acceptable driving record
10.     Willingness to work outside in winter weather

In addition to practical knowledge, skills, and abilities related to program coordination and farming, the successful candidate will also be able to:

1.      Align himself or herself with the missions and goals of the Bellingham Food Bank
2.      Work directly with Bellingham Food Bank Agricultural Programs Coordinator
3.      Manage, communicate with, and work alongside established core group of volunteers
4.      Recruit and manage new volunteers, and increase overall community presence of the project
5.      Create short monthly reports/updates for review by organizational boards of directors
6.      Work with Bellingham Food Bank operations and warehouse staff on projects with overlap and/or shared resources and volunteers (e.g. Small Potatoes Gleaning Project).
7.      Budget time, energy, and resources wisely and assist with budget and seasonal planning and implementation

Position will remain open until filled, though we hope to secure the right person for the position as soon as possible.  To apply please mail cover letter and resume addressing desired qualifications noted above by January 16th, 2012 to:

Selection Committee
Garden Project /Food Bank Farm
C/O Bellingham Food Bank
1824 Ellis Street
Bellingham, WA 98225