Birdhouse Farmers Market:
No positions available
Positions available:
Birdhouse Community Garden:
Garden Educator/Steward
Learn more about BFM/BCG and the positions available below!
ABOUT BIRDHOUSE FARMERS MARKET
Birdhouse Farmers Market is a growing, friendly, open-air, all-weather, mid-week, food-focused farmers market promoting healthy eating and a love of community and the environment in the Randolph Neighborhood of Richmond.
Our Mission: Strengthening our local food system to improve the health and well-being of the Richmond community.
Our Core Values:
Integrity: Maintaining the highest standards of quality and accountability in all that we do.
Access: Providing a reliable connection among local farms, local food, and local folks.
Equity: Committing to fairness and inclusion in our decision-making.
Health: Seeking out opportunities to improve physical, economic, and environmental well-being.
Community: Strengthening us all, by feeding us well.
About Birdhouse Community Garden
Birdhouse Community Garden (BCG) is a program of Birdhouse Farmers Market that is focused on educating our neighbors and community members about how to grow food while also providing an easy access point for all community members to harvest their own fresh produce. We operate on a “By community, for community” motto and host weekly garden days for all community members to join in, running March - November. BCG hosts educational programming for students from the Randolph Community Center as well as a variety of volunteering opportunities all year long.
Job Title: Birdhouse Community Garden Educator/Steward
Job Details:
Limited to 20 hours/week
Starting Pay: $18.00/hour
Year-round
Job Description:
Birdhouse Community Garden (BCG), a program of Birdhouse Farmers Market, is a well established educational space and community garden focused on growing food and teaching sustainable gardening practices to community members of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. BCG is also part of the Richmond Grows Gardens (RGG) program and has access to resources provided by the City through this program such as the RVA Toolbank, City Greenhouse access, and occasional support from RGG staff when needed.
BCG is seeking a Garden Educator and Steward. This part time, year-round position (20 hours/week) is responsible for community education, day-to-day garden operations, volunteer management, workshop coordination, tool ordering and maintenance, and community workday planning.
The Garden Educator/Steward will work with Birdhouse Farmers Market staff and volunteers, community members, other gardeners, Richmond Grows Gardens staff, Randolph Neighborhood Association members, and City of Richmond staff. The role will largely take place outdoors in the garden but will also require some hours working from home on a laptop or similar device for planning, tool ordering, and doing research. Applicants should be prepared to work in all types of weather, sometimes including intense heat, rain, or harsh cold as this is largely an outdoor position.
The Garden Educator/Steward will report to the Birdhouse Staff on a weekly basis to coordinate planning efforts. This role will plan and facilitate weekly community garden education, create and implement garden plans, research and implement a variety of gardening methods, manage and delegate garden maintenance to volunteers, coordinate workshops, lead educational opportunities for Randolph Community Center students, and coordinate with community gardeners on projects.
This is a part time (20 hours/week) position dedicated to helping maintain, manage, and coordinate the Birdhouse Community Garden and provide educational programming to the Randolph community. The schedule may vary from week to week. The Garden Educator/Steward has flexibility in determining the work schedule based on the time of year and scheduled projects and must coordinate with BFM Staff to create a consistent schedule. Required time commitments include one weekday afternoon for student education (year round) and Saturday mornings (March - November) for community education and garden workdays.
Candidates should have access to a laptop or similar device, dependable wifi, and reliable transportation. Ideally, the transportation will be able to move a variety of tools for work days. Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Candidates should be able to work independently and work with diverse groups. Candidates with experience growing food in an urban setting and previous experience managing volunteers will be given priority. This position involves working with children. Candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
Job Responsibilities:
Create and implement garden plans
Delegate or complete daily garden tasks including, but not limited to:
Planting
Harvesting
Watering
Weeding
Basic repairs
Compost management
Manage volunteers and volunteer teams
Plan and facilitate weekly garden education workdays
Plan for and facilitate garden education sessions for the Randolph Community Center After-school and Summer Day Camp programs.
Order, pick up and return tools from the toolbank
Plan and facilitate workshops in the garden
Prefered Skills & Qualifications:
A passion for growing food, working with a variety of community members of all ages, and sharing knowledge
The ability to lead small groups of volunteers and delegate tasks.
Knowledge of growing food and a variety of gardening methods is preferred
Access to a computer (or similar device) and reliable internet connection
Reliable transportation, with preference to vehicles that can transport tools and garden materials
Ability to lift 50 pounds
Ability to complete research and implement findings within the garden space
Ability to work independently
Ability to keep interested parties (BFM staff, volunteers, etc) appraised of garden strengths and weaknesses.
Ability to work outside for an extended amount of time (8+ hours) in a variety of weather situations (rain, snow, wind, heat, etc.)
Must pass a criminal background check.
Payment & Benefits:
Starting at $18.00/hour, limited to 20 hours per week
Stipend for vehicle usage
Produce from the garden
Apply today!
Please submit a letter of interest and resume to Tegan at: birdhousefm.assistant@gmail.com
Please make the subject line: “BCG Educator/Steward Application”
BFM Staff will be in touch to discuss next steps once we have received and reviewed your application.