CONTRACT POSITION OPEN:

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The Friends of the Community Growing Center (FCGC) is the volunteer-run non-profit that supports the planning, maintenance, and funding needs of the city-owned garden/park space located at 22 Vinal Avenue in Somerville, Mass. Volunteers are essential to the organization, helping to implement a wide range of activities and events each season, as well as to steward this public greenspace. The Growing Center is in the final stages of a multi-year, comprehensive renovation and ecological restoration. The organization is excited to be exploring how to ensure equitable and inclusive access to outdoor learning and restorative greenspace with particular attention to nurturing a community of diverse, engaged volunteers to guide the Growing Center forward.

 

Several very part-time positions, including the Volunteer Coordinator, support the space and the organization.

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Contract terms are dependent on experience, with a salary range of $18-22/hour. The position requires an average of 8 hours/week distributed year round. Hours to be set by the consultant, but will require some evening and weekend times. The position is largely self-directed, with a designated FCGC contact for consultation. Payment is on a quarterly schedule. Interviews will start in mid-June, and will continue until the position is filled. The current volunteer coordinator will be available to support the transition.

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Qualifications:

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Strong organizational skills, including administration of FCGC electronic documentation (Google Drive, spreadsheets, and databases, including SaleForce)

• Demonstrated volunteer experience, coordination of volunteers, and/or development of volunteer base

• Experience working with range of ages and cultures, children to seniors

• Language skills and/or demonstrated experience working with Somerville’s diverse populations

• Experience with non-profit and/or grassroots/volunteer-led efforts

• Personal experience with the SCGC or demonstrated relevant experience

• Familiarity with Somerville social infrastructure, with ties to sectors such as child-serving organizations, food production/gardening, media/outreach, environmental/sustainability, social justice community, and/or other relevant groups

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruit, orient, support, and manage volunteers and teams to assist with full range of responsibilities, including those listed under coordinator, at coordinator’s discretion

• Coordinate monthly volunteer trainings/orientations throughout growing season

• Maintain database of volunteers and individuals interested in SCGC activities

• Maintain database of volunteer participation and hours donated

• Recruit for and help coordinate Volunteer Teams to support Site Management, Programming, Fundraising, Communications and Outreach, DEI, Children in Nature Initiative

• Maintain or update, as needed, forms for tracking and updating database

• Communicate needs for volunteers to FCGC Board

• Recruit and/or management of volunteers to support Growing Center programming and site work

• Support volunteers and/or interns to update webpage, Facebook, etc., for social media communications

• Work with FCGC Board to oversee creation (edit, design, layout) of regular e-newsletters, to communicate with volunteers, and keep public informed of opportunities and offerings 

• Support promotion of SCGC events and programs, in partnership with FCGC Program Committee

• Periodic site visits to meet with and/or support volunteers, replenish volunteer materials, etc.

 

Job Requirements:

• Majority of tasks are off-site, at the coordinator's own selected location. Requires regular access to electronic communications, with reasonable expectations for access determined in collaboration with FCGC Board.

• Minimal on-site duties involve volunteer orientations, and ensuring reference materials for volunteers are available and refreshed regularly (informational, recruitment, tracking materials, tools, community resource information)

 

Application Process:
To apply, please send an email to info@thegrowingcenter.org with a statement of interest and a summary of experience or resume. This position will be open until filled.

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