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[Elizabeth Gabriel <elizabethrgabriel AT gmail.com>]

Position Description

Groundswell Program Coordinator

Position Title: Groundswell Program Coordinator               Employer: Center for Transformative Action

Position Start Date:  May 15, 2016                                                Reports To: Groundswell Director              

Employment Status: This is a part-time 20-hour/week, based in Ithaca, NY.  This position is grant-funded through December 2016 with the possibility to renew based on performance and funding.

Salary & Benefits: Salary $15-18/hour dependent upon qualifications. Health benefits provided. This position is also open to Federal Work-Study students.

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to info AT groundswellcenter.org or drop-off hard copies to the Groundswell office. Please include three references with contact information.  Application Deadline: April 20^th.

About the Groundswell Center: Groundswell is an agriculture education organization based in Ithaca, NY, operating under the Center for Transformative Action. Our core work is the cultivation of diverse new farmers through experiential, farm-based training and business incubation programs. Groundswell addresses the critical need to engage and support new farmers who reflect the diversity of culture, color, and class in our region.  We seek to empower and to direct resources to historically disadvantaged populations, including people of color, First Nations people, new immigrants, veterans, and those with very limited economic resources, who have often been excluded from the sustainable farming and local foods movements.

Summary Job Description: The Program Coordinator will work closely to assist the Groundswell’s Director, Marketing Manager and course coordinators to facilitate primarily the CRAFT program and Homesteading Network tours; however, will also assist with other public programs, courses and events.

Responsibilities

• Work with Director and course leaders to determine schedules and locations of programs.
• Maintain regular communications with course coordinators and instructors to ensure that course curricula and evaluations are delivered smoothly and effectively.
• Work with Marketing Manager to ensure good communication with course registrants prior to programs, coordinate program applications, selection, enrollments, tuition assistance and payment for programs including but not limited to CRAFT and Homesteading Network Tours.
• Attend all CRAFT and Homesteading Network Tours. Provide staff continuity in programs, support hosts, and help build relationships with attendees. When necessary, assist hosts with education and/or work projects.
• Document CRAFT and Homesteaders Network Tours with photographs. Obtain permission for image use and maintain a well-organized collection of images.
• With assistance from Market Manager, coordinate financial transactions for CRAFT and Homesteading Network tours including invoices, expenditure forms, program revenues and expenses.
• Work with Director to improve systems for evaluating programs and their impacts; use results to continually improve program effectiveness.
• Write one or more short articles each month for Groundswell’s e-newsletter (e.g. upcoming programs, trainee stories, host site profiles).
• Assist with planning and organizing Groundswell’s community events and fundraisers.
• Attend and staff information table for Groundswell at specific public events.
• Attend weekly Groundswell staff meetings and report on CRAFT and Homesteading programs.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

Our ideal candidate...

• Is passionate about Groundswell’s mission.
• Is highly organized; able to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Is self-motivated and directed; also works very well with a team.
• Demonstrates effective communications skills and interpersonal skills.
• Has some experience in adult education and is comfortable speaking to groups of people.
• Has significant cross-cultural experience; is skilled in building relationships across differences of race, place, class, world-view, etc.
• Has knowledge of and/or is motivated to learn about sustainable farming and issues of community food security.
• Is proficient with Word, Xcel and email communications.

Additional Notes

• This position requires a flexible schedule to accommodate weekday, evening and weekend programs, specifically with regard to CRAFT and Homesteading tours.
• Frequent travel is required within a 40-mile distance from Ithaca. However, ownership of a car is not required since Groundswell maintains an account with Ithaca CarShare.
• Groundswell is committed to maintaining and increasing diversity within our organization and in the regional food system. Persons of diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

 

Elizabeth