Description: The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is a nonprofit corporation based in Santa Cruz, CA that provides job training and transitional employment to people experiencing homelessness. Integrated with the job program, HGP operates a vibrant community volunteer and education program. The training, employment, education and volunteer programs take place on an organic farm and in associated enterprises.
Trainees experience the value of therapeutic agriculture, are provided supportive services, and develop positive relationships and job skills. Products produced in the training program are sold through our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, our year-round retail store, through our online store, and wholesale to other retailers. Production provides for a real work environment and is also a meaningful source of revenue for the Project.
HGP seeks a dedicated individual, experienced in adult education, training and supervision, to lead farm-based job training skills and education activities and provide supportive supervision to people experiencing homelessness who wish to find a stable productive place in society.
The ideal candidate will also have experience working in coaching or mentoring roles and/or with individuals facing homelessness, and an agricultural or entrepreneurial background. The Training and Education Supervisor will create and maintain a productive workplace conducive to the development and practice of job skills, responsibility, and self-confidence.
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 and Education Supervisor will play an important role in modeling, practicing and reinforcing work-readiness lessons to trainees. The Training and Education Supervisor will supervise trainees in executing the weekly and daily work priorities while ensuring the learning environment necessary for trainees to develop workplace behaviors, skills and knowledge; and provides trainees with increasing levels of responsibility.
Responsibilities: Under the general supervision of the Transitional Employment and Social Work Program Manager, the Supervisor is directly responsible for on-site supervision, job-training, coaching, and education components of the program.
-Uphold and maintain the robust structure of the job-training and transitional employment program through supportive and goal-directed leadership.
-Supervise an environment of learning where trainees learn, practice and improve general work skills (communication, conflict resolution, professionalism, teambuilding, time management).
-Support trainee self-esteem growth via building trust and rapport, creating meaningful, supportive relationships with trainees, supporting development of skill-based competencies, supporting increase in feelings of self-worth.
-Lead weekly circle meeting which fosters community-building among staff and trainee team.
-Provide feedback and coaching for job readiness skills, manage progressive discipline plan, teach and lead the process of goal-setting, particularly related to job goals.
-Assist trainees in meeting program goals and milestones in order to maintain their position and progress in the program.
-The following involve working collaboratively with farm, retail and value-added manager to meet production goals:
-Supervise an environment of learning and productivity where trainees learn, practice and improve technical work skills on farm (compost, bed-prepping, pest control, planting, irrigation harvest/ post-harvest skills, greenhouse skills;) in workshop (dried flower-handling skills, design-production skills, inventory management, organization of stock;) and in retail store (greeting and handling customers, managing cash register, display-making, inventory management.)
-Foster improved interpersonal skills through teaching effective communication, encouraging teamwork and cooperation, creating opportunities for appreciation to be expressed, developing positive work environment, role modeling appreciation for diverse experiences, mediating conflict.
-Develop/enhance trainees’ experience of community support
-Help connect trainees to learn about community resources, job skills, and life skills. In collaboration with Program Manager, create curriculum and lead lecture series that draws from community resources and local experts, ensuring that lecture series is relevant to trainees. Build bridges with community enterprises to accomplish this goal.
Skills:
Excellent communication skills
Strong physical labor skills (e.g. sit, stand, bend, lift, walk, carry)
Demonstrated ability to successfully use a mentoring approach
Conflict resolutions and mediation skills
Adaptability to a dynamic work environment and strong problem-solving skills
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:
Excellent communication skills
Experience with supervision, adult education and training, mentoring or coaching
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
Familiarity with horticulture methods, such as gardening, farming, land restoration, landscaping, or other land-based work.
Able to effectively work with all populations to include: individuals facing behavioral and mental health challenges, disadvantaged youth, people experiencing homelessness, justice system involved community members, students and community members
Demonstrated ability to work successfully as part of a team and independently
Desirable Skills and Qualifications:
Bi-lingual/bi-cultural background
Familiarity with basic social work principles
Experience with social justice issues and affected populations
Effective and positive interpersonal and management skills
Aptitude for craft workshop production
Commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems
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.
Applications: Mail resume, cover letter and contact information for three references to Evan Jones, Program Manager, P.O. Box 617, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 or email to evanj@homelessgardenproject.org. Initial review begins July 5; resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.