Director of Operations

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week

Benefits: HGP offers health benefits as well as paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Reports to: Executive Director

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Darrie Ganzhorn, Executive Director, at darrieg@homelessgardenproject.org. We will review materials and schedule interviews on a rolling basis, no calls please.

Overview

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is a 501c3 non-profit in Santa Cruz CA that provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness.

HGP is seeking a Director of Operations to lead a cross functional team with responsibility for the Finance, Farm Operations, Retail Enterprise and Volunteer Coordination of the organization. The Director of Operations reports to the Executive Director and will manage a staff of approximately ten people initially, growing to fifteen. The HGP is in the process of moving from a temporary 3.5-acre location to a permanent home with 9 acres and multiple buildings. This will lead to a tripling of the level of activity over the next 5 years. This is a major transformation for the organization and we are looking for the right individual to lead the transition as well as manage ongoing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a cooperative team environment that is respectful, communicative, and accountable
• Drive the multi-year Business Plan, with focus on annual review and adjustments
• Ensure successful transition of operations to permanent farm location
• Drive continuous improvement and optimize operational and financial metrics
• Develop and manage annual budget, including monthly/quarterly financial analysis and reporting. Ensure efficiency of financial systems and processes.
• Ensure the profitability of the Retail Enterprise, including facilities management and efficient production
• Drive increased productivity in Farm operations while ensuring excellent stewardship of the land
• Provide direction and guidance for the 2000+ volunteers who support the HGP each year
• Ensure implementation of Human Resource policies and procedures; payroll, benefits, performance metrics
• Effectively communicate key program outcomes and insights; Board of Director presentations, newsletters, web presence

Skills and Experience

• 5-8 years’ experience in operation management
• Strong and proven project management skills on multi-million dollar projects
• Executive level written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
• Management experience in non-profit sector is beneficial

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.

Administrative Assistant

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week

Compensation: $40,000 - $45,000

Benefits: HGP offers health benefits as well as paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Reports to: Executive Director

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to Darrie Ganzhorn, HGP Executive Director, at Darrieg@Homelessgardenproject.org. We will review materials and schedule interviews on a rolling basis, no calls please.

Description of Organization and General Function

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, that provides job training, transitional employment and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Our programs take place on our 3.5-acre organic farm and related social enterprises.  In complement, HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program serving nearly 3,000 people each year.

HGP is currently going through an exciting period of growth, preparing to move our farm from its temporary 3.5-acre site to a permanent 9.5-acre site on City of Santa Cruz Pogonip park land. The transition to Pogonip Farm will triple the organization’s capacity to transform lives and build community connections through a public-private partnership.   Serving as a national model, Pogonip Farm will be the heart of HGP’s dynamic agriculture program to provide job training for people who are experiencing homelessness, volunteer opportunities for community members and land stewardship through organic farming.

We are seeking an individual with enthusiasm, energy, a can-do attitude and the ability to stay focused on getting the job done.  By supporting the Operations, Fundraising and Administration of the organization, the Administrative Assistant will be a key member of the staff, involved in many of the organization’s activities and most importantly, be of tremendous help to our dedicated and very busy staff.  The Administrative Assistant will report to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a smoothly running office including functioning office equipment, sufficient inventory of supplies, building & truck repairs.
• Answer telephones and receive visitors; serve as initial point of contact in agency including receiving and directing general email inquiries to the appropriate person; and mail pickup and distribution.
• Organize and schedule meetings and appointments; manage Executive Director calendar
• Assist in preparation for Board and committee meetings
• Support staff with daily clerical tasks.
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry necessary for reports and contracts, including fundraising, program, finance, and enterprise data
• Supervise volunteers performing clerical tasks.
• Assist Business & Finance Manager with bookkeeping, including receipt of deposits, maintaining clear financial records, and the timely payment of bills.
• Assist in production of newsletter, event and other mailings
• Assist in promotional activities, including social media
• Assist in IT issues, including website and hardware updates
• Support operations at the farm and retail store with deliveries and pick-ups as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills—especially with people of varied ages, experience levels and backgrounds
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office knowledge and English proficiency
• Demonstrated experience in office management systems and procedures
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to work independently
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Experience working with nonprofits, preferred

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.

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.