Development Associate

Hours: 25 hours/week

Benefits: Pro-rated vacation and sick time; accrual max applies. No medical benefits are provided for part-time positions.

Reports to: Development Director

Description of Organization and General Function

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), a 501c3 nonprofit based in Santa Cruz, CA, provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In complement, HGP operates a vibrant community volunteer and education program. The training, employment, education and volunteer programs take place in a 3.5 organic farm and related enterprises.

HGP is in an exciting period of growth, preparing to move our farm from its temporary 3.5-acre site to a permanent 9.5-acre farm site, within a 20-acre site on City of Santa Cruz Pogonip park land. This new permanent site will allow us to triple our job training capacity, over time, providing 50 positions each year.

Position

We seek an enthusiastic, outgoing, resourceful and organized person skilled in databases, communication, social media, outreach, and building partnerships. The ideal candidate will also have an interest in agriculture and social enterprises and a sincere commitment to ending homelessness. The Development Associate will be an integral part of HGP’s fundraising and communications team, working closely with the Development Director and Executive Director, as well as other members of the staff. The Associate’s role supporting the development and maintenance of our donor community is vital to the success and long-term sustainability of the organization.

Responsibilities

The Associate will report to the Development Director. Our diversified revenue model includes individual support, special events, public and private grants and contracts, and program-related revenue, so the Associate will have opportunities to be involved in a variety of fundraising projects and activities including the current capital campaign.

Donor Stewardship (50%)

The Development Associate will lead gift acknowledgment processing to ensure that donors understand the vital impact their support has on HGP’s work and receive appropriate:

• Documentation and recognition of gifts and
• Pledge payment reminders.
• Support implementation of HGP’s stewardship plan for individual donors;
• Assist with donor research and qualification;
• Support board members in their fundraising work.

Support Donor Cultivation and Special Events (25%)

Currently HGP hosts several major fundraising events each year plus regular events throughout the year at the farm and its retail store in downtown Santa Cruz. This year, events are being pioneered virtually. The Development Associate will lead staff and volunteer special event teams to maintain timeliness and momentum of preparations and follow-up including:

• Identify and invite potential attendees;
• Coordinate communications, both print and social media for events;
• Shepherd attendees through event(s);
• Work with Development Director and Executive Director to support table captains;
• Provide Development Director and Executive Director with follow up materials/communication.

Institutional Communications and Social Media (25%)

Work with the Executive Director, Operations Director, and Development Director to:

• Assist with website management
• Assist with general email communications, including building email drafts and managing a calendar of communications
• Support general donor stewardship communications, to keep supporters informed and involved in support of the HGP annual development plan;
• Update donor information packets;
• Provide program updates via social media, direct mail and the annual report;
• Create and update brochure content.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone with the passion and commitment to support our programs and help shape HGP for sustainability and future growth.

• Strong computing skills in database, spreadsheet, word processing, cloud-based applications, social media, online research and/or communication tools;
• Excellent organization and administration skills and experience with systems for maintaining personal and team focus and priorities;
• Excellent skills for communicating with diverse audiences, colleagues and partners in writing, by phone, in person and via social media;
• Team orientation;
• A passion for helping others;
• Individual initiative within a collaborative group culture;
• Self-awareness and excellent interpersonal communication;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently;
• Multicultural experience and/or competency;
• Flexibility and a sense of humor.

Desirable skills and qualifications

• At least one year of nonprofit fundraising experience, particularly with individuals, events and grants;
• WordPress experience a plus;
• Experience with fundraising database;
• A passion for farm-based learning and empowerment;

Core Values

HGP values respectful communication, collaboration, connection with people and nature, and open, inquiring minds. The development staff undertake management functions as partners with the rest of the staff, in support of their work toward HGP’s mission. A management team cooperatively assesses strategic choices and organizational direction with the support and partnership of the board of directors. We value individual initiative and cultivate a culture in which it can thrive.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to Paul Goldberg, HGP Director of Development, at [email protected] We will review materials and schedule interviews on a rolling basis, no calls please.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, classes, and religious identities to apply.

Training and Education Supervisor

Hours: 40 hours/week; including occasional weekend, holiday and evening hours

Benefits: Health benefits, 16 days’ vacation, 8.7 days’ sick leave and 9 days paid holiday

Reports to: Transitional Employment and Support Services Programs Manager

Description of Organization and General Function

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Santa Cruz, CA, provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In complement, HGP operates a vibrant community volunteer and education program. The training, employment, education and volunteer programs take place in a 3.5-acre organic farm and related enterprises. 

HGP seeks an experienced and dedicated individual to lead farm-based training and education activities and provide appropriate supervision and training to people who are experiencing homelessness who wish to find a stable productive place in society.  We specifically seek an enthusiastic, organized person skilled in adult education, training, and supervision.  The ideal candidate will also have experience working with individuals facing homelessness and/or mental health challenges, and a horticultural/agricultural background.  The Training & Education Supervisor will work to create and maintain a productive workplace conducive to the development and practice of job readiness skills, efficiency, and horticultural skills.

The unique goals of our job training and transitional employment program require regular and consistent feedback on work performance and behaviors to trainees. The Training & Education Supervisor will play an important role in modeling, practicing and reinforcing work-readiness lessons to trainees.  The Training & Education Supervisor will supervise trainees in executing the farm and workshop’s daily and weekly work priorities set by the Farm Manager & Value-Added Enterprise Manager, while ensuring the learning environment necessary for trainees to develop workplace behaviors, skills and knowledge and providing trainees with increasing levels of responsibility. The Training & Education Supervisor will work closely with the Farm Manager to fulfill production goals, as well as with Social Work interns and the Transitional Employment and Support Services Programs Manager to understand trainee life goals, strengths, and barriers to full participation in the training program.  The Training & Education  Supervisor will also work with the Executive Director to develop the training program and evaluate program goals.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Executive Director, the Supervisor is directly responsible for the job-training and education component of the transitional employment program. The Supervisor assists in planning and implementation of all aspects of the program, to include production, and marketing for Natural Bridges Farm and the Value-Added Enterprise.  

Job Training/Education:

• Responsible for supervision of trainees participating in the job training and transitional employment program.
• With Executive Director, hires trainees into program according to hiring criteria
• Planning, implementation, and supervision of our job-training program.  This involves daily infield teaching and ensuring a safe, productive work site.
• Develop and implement lectures and hands-on training programs for trainees; training in general workplace skills and behaviors such as problem solving and social skills.  
• Conduct training in horticulture skills such as propagating and tending annual and perennial crops, composting, bed preparation, irrigation, etc.
• In coordination with the Farm Manager and Value-added Enterprise Manager, leads the daily management of work crews and assignment of garden duties to trainees, interns, volunteers, and community service workers.
• Conduct regular evaluations of trainees’ progress in technical and general work skills.
• Facilitate regular meetings with trainees and individual meetings as needed.
• Serve as a positive role model
• Provide oversight to kitchen volunteers and trainees to support Tuesday-Friday lunch production.
• Follows all aspects of trainees’ program, year-round.

Supervision:

• Lead the supervision of trainees and participants in the program; provide support in supervision of interns, and volunteers.
• Enforce the policies of the Homeless Garden Project, including reliability, tardiness, drug/alcohol abuse, and COVID-19 mitigation policies
• Conflict resolution and management
• Provide support to help each trainee meet their personal goals that increase their long-term personal and economic stability
• Share with staff (Farm Manager, Value-Added Enterprise Manager and Executive Director) the results of regular performance and skill “check ins” with trainees
• Facilitate weekly circle meetings of staff and trainees.
• Coordinate with social work interns and attend their weekly meeting with Social Work Program Manager.

Farm and Value-added Production:  

• Support Farm and Value-added production.

Public Relations:

• Perform outreach about openings in the training and transitional employment program with the goal of keeping all positions full.
• Knowledgeably represent the organization and its programs to the community at large, presenting talks, lectures and guided tours to donors, civic organizations or visiting groups, together with a trainee whenever possible.
• Maintain and foster relationships with other public and nonprofit agencies, businesses and individuals.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills
•  Strong physical labor skills (e.g. sit, stand, bend, lift, walk, carry)
• Working knowledge of organic gardening and farming methods
• Demonstrated ability to make assignments and follow up on completion/evaluation
• Demonstrated ability to both follow and give directions, seek assistance, when needed
• Requires ability to work occasional evening hours and weekends; in all weather conditions
• Organization and timeliness; attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to organize, delegate, give direction, monitor others

Qualifications

• Experience with supervision, adult education and training
• An academic degree, equivalent work experience, or a combination of both, in one or more of the following areas: horticulture, horticulture therapy, organic gardening, social science, human services, environmental science, or related field 
• Able to effectively work with all populations to include: individuals with mental illness, disadvantaged youth, homeless, students and community members
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully as part of a team
• At least two years of very broad horticultural experience, preferred

Desirable skills:

• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural background 
• Effective and positive interpersonal and management skills
• Experience with creating and managing budgets
• Aptitude for craft workshop production 
• Commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Experience with social justice issues and affected populations
• Familiarity with basic social work principles

Core Values

HGP values respectful communication, collaboration, connection with people and nature, and open, inquiring minds. The development staff undertake management functions as partners with the rest of the staff, in support of their work toward HGP’s mission. A management team cooperatively assesses strategic choices and organizational direction with the support and partnership of the board of directors. We value individual initiative and cultivate a culture in which it can thrive.

To Apply:

Mail resume, cover letter and contact information for three references to Darrie Ganzhorn, Executive Director, P.O. Box 617, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 or email to [email protected]  Resumes will be accepted until position is filled.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, classes, and religious identities to apply.