Details

Posted: Wed, March 20, 2024

Philadelphia, PA job

Email: hr@nkcdc.org

New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a community development corporation committed to sustainable development in housing opportunities, economic development, vacant land strategies, community engagement, and real estate development. NKCDC advances social equity and economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live and actively shaping their neighborhoods of choice. To that end, NKCDC provides free resources to residents and businesses in the Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.

NKCDC has a strong reputation, both locally and nationally, with longstanding credibility of serving as a trusted and valuable partner and collaborator. The organization is one of only two community development organizations in Philadelphia chartered members of the NeighborWorks America network. Our current work using a trauma-informed community engagement model, applying a racial equity lens across the organization, and leading programs at the intersection of health and housing are keeping NKCDC at the cutting edge of community development. NKCDC draws on the strengths of the communities in Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond — a population of over 62,800, 23% of whom live below the federal poverty level — to make sure neighborhood development benefits all residents. More information can be found at nkcdc.org.

Function
As an Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Associate at New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC), you will support the Program Manager in all operations and programming related to urban agriculture and community gardening. You will assist in maintaining NKCDC’s garden spaces, cultivating community partnerships, coordinating volunteer opportunities, providing assistance to gardeners, collecting feedback, and delivering educational programming. This role offers a dynamic environment where each day varies based on seasonal priorities and program needs.

Reports to
Community Farm and Urban Agriculture Program Manager

Responsibilities
• Assist in cultivating and managing community partnerships to activate garden spaces effectively.
• Coordinate volunteer opportunities at NKCDC’s gardens sites and partner gardens to support ongoing
maintenance and programming.
• Lead adult and youth volunteers at NKCDC and partner gardens in the neighborhood, providing guidance
and support.
• Offer garden planning and problem-solving assistance to neighborhood community gardeners as needed.
• Deliver educational programming for all ages at NKCDC’s gardens sites and partner gardens.
• Participate in outreach, create and post flyers, and communicate with community partners to publicize
events and programs effectively.
• Gather community feedback on programming offerings and program goals to inform future initiatives.
• Support community feedback meetings and engage in dialogue to address concerns and suggestions.
• Attend meetings with partner organizations to collaborate on shared initiatives and projects.
• Facilitate weekly compost drop off at NKCDC garden sites to encourage sustainable waste management practices.
• Help maintain NKCDC edible and pollinator gardens by performing tasks such as plant care, trash pickup, and ensuring open hours.

Qualifications
• Passion for sustainable urban agriculture and community development.
• Knowledge, experience, or training in agriculture, horticulture, or community development is desirable.
• Awareness of food justice, land sovereignty, and health issues, with a desire to learn more.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships with diverse community members and organizations.
• Experience teaching and guiding diverse groups and volunteers of all ages.
• Enthusiasm and experience for working, learning, and teaching outdoors.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work schedules, including occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Physical ability to perform tasks involving bending, crouching, kneeling, and lifting 30lbs.
• Knowledge or lived experience of the Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.
• Proficiency in Spanish language preferred.
• This position is seasonal and expected to operate from April 2024 through November 2024.

Compensation
The pay rate for this position is $25/HR, with a part-time schedule, 20 hours per week. To counter pay inequality and
uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary system, while benchmarking our pay to competitive
markets in the nonprofit sector. This position will be on-site at our central office, 2771 Ruth Street, Suite 1,
Philadelphia, PA 19134.

Application process
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to HR@nkcdc.org, with “[YOUR NAME] Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Assocaite” in the subject line. Applications received by Friday, April 5, 2024, will be given full consideration. All candidate resumes are given due consideration and are kept on file for one year, but we cannot always respond personally depending on the volume of inquiries.

Hiring process
Our hiring process includes a 20–30-minute interview with HR, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager, and finally an hour-long “panel” interview with 4-6 staff members. Reference checks are conducted after the final interview.

NKCDC provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, religion, language, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or physical ability. If you meet some of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply or to reach out for more information. We know groups subjected to systemic oppression– including people of color, women, people from working-class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ – are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other communities who are marginalized.