Program Lead - Genesis Gardens

Program Lead – Genesis Gardens Scope & Purpose The Mobile Loaves & Fishes Genesis Gardens program exists at Community First! Village to cultivate connections in a beautiful and hospitable environment by inviting all to the banquet table, serving opportunities for engagement, dignity, and good food. The Program Lead position in Genesis Gardens is a key member of the team responsible for hosting large numbers of volunteers and neighbors who work together to cultivate and care for the gardens and host the weekly farmer's market. The right candidate is a hospitable, creative, and adaptable team player who takes initiative, loves supporting others, and is energized by building meaningful relationships with the neighbors and volunteers who work and serve in Genesis Gardens. This is a non-exempt position reporting to the Sr. Programs Manager. Due to the nature and requirements of the position, hours are typically 7am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. Some nights and weekends may be required. The Program Lead will office at Community First! Village located at 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724. Duties & Responsibilities Community Engagement and EmpowermentMaintain a hospitable presence where volunteers and neighbor contractors (residents of Community First! Village who work in the garden) feel welcomed and valuedWelcome volunteers, providing a clear overview of the program, its purpose, and the volunteer shift structure Recruit, orient, and lead neighbor contractors, serving as their primary day-to-day supervisorDesign and lead volunteer activities accessible to all ages and abilitiesConnect with volunteers during their shift to foster meaningful connections with contractors, and ensure they are having a meaningful experienceTrain neighbor contractors, volunteers, and staff on safe food handling and tools safety policiesMonitor the team's performance and find ways to optimize their efficiency Build lasting relationships with volunteers and neighbor contractors that inspire them to return working in the gardenCollaborate with our Volunteer Team to ensure volunteers have a meaningful experience and are inspired to continue engaging with our community Maintain a space that inspires abundance, connects people human to human, heart to heart, and transforms the stereotypes about homelessness Garden & Program OperationsCoordinate the seasonal planting for the vegetable garden, fruiting trees, vines, and greenhouse Oversee quality control and record keeping for the farmer's market Manage the proper care of garden animals including chickens, guardian dogs, and barn catLead space repurposing initiatives to optimize the use of garden resources and infrastructureDrive Genesis Gardens forward as a model program in the Community First! VillageOwn the purchasing process from planning to submission Submit support and work order forms when equipment, infrastructure, or resources are not functioningCoordinate contract signing for contractors working in the gardenOwn the creation and maintenance of all policies and procedures specific to the gardenIdentify and coordinate opportunities to establish external partnerships that support the Genesis Gardens programRepresent Genesis Gardens and MLF in outward facing presentations and relationship buildingCollaborate with the MLF Team to fulfill the program goals and create new opportunities within Genesis GardensPerform other miscellaneous duties as necessary Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & PrinciplesMLF is a faith-based organization whose ideals and philosophy come directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As an organization, we strive to reflect this precept in our communications, both internally and externally. Who you AreCommitted to serving those who have experienced homelessness and have a personal alignment with MLF's vision, mission, core values, and goalsCreative in designing welcoming spaces where volunteers and contractors connect and growTakes ownership and strives for excellence Adaptable to perform in a fast-paced, high-interruption environmentFast learner who takes initiative to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform in a garden role Highly skilled in relationship building with diverse populations Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a teamEmotionally intelligent and able to navigate the natural dynamics of a diverse and vibrant communityAble to articulate how the program supports the vision of MLF What you Know4+ years of experience in coordinating people, schedules, and projectsDemonstrated experience in gardening, landscaping, hospitality, nonprofits, or related fields is preferredBachelor's degree and PMP Certification are a plusHave a driver's license How you WorkProactive problem-solver who can troubleshoot across plants, equipment, animals, and peopleManages projects and people (neighbor contractors, volunteers) in a changing and fast-paced environment and anticipates future needs, even when limited information and resources are availableSkilled at teaching others and giving guidanceStrong and effective communicator with conflict management and de-escalation skills Strong organizational skills and detail orientedAbility to remain poised under pressureSelf-motivated team player who takes ownership of projects and collaborates with othersSkilled with emails and spreadsheets for communication and record-keeping Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Asana preferred Work Environment & Physical DemandsAble to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditionsAbility to frequently lift, move, and transport up to 50 lbs. throughout the dayAbility to move about all phases of Community First! Village properties freely and comfortablyMust wear attire that is presentable but suitable for messy, outdoor, hands-on work; close-toed shoes required for safetyAbility to learn how to operate a golf cart, ATV, and heavy machinery MLF PURPOSE / VISIONWe empower communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless. MLF MISSIONWe provide food and clothing, cultivate community, and promote dignity to our homeless brothers and sisters in need. GOALSTransform the way people view the stereotype of those who find themselves homelessReconnect the homeless to self, family and communityHelp the chronically homeless rediscover and utilize their God-given talents to do purposeful workConnect human to human, heart to heart through the fellowship of food and hospitalityInspire people into a lifestyle of abundance by giving their best first BELIEF STATEMENTSThe vision is supported by belief statements centered on our belief that homelessness is the result of a profound, catastrophic loss of family:God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed lifeBy virtue of being created by God in His image, we are all called to live in community and relationship with Him through each otherThe family is the original cell of social lifeYou shall love your neighbor as yourselfAll members of the human family are equal in dignityThe Lord God took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it. Gen 2:15 CORE VALUESMLF is committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes relational connection. We believe there is opportunity in every aspect of our work to be relational in a highly transactional world. In this culture, transactions are means to relational ends, not the other way around.​ ​​This begins with the countercultural love poured out by Jesus Christ and grows as imperfect individuals strive to show this love to each other human-to-human, heart-to-heart.​ ​​Each individual's openness to the journey of their own personal growth is essential in building our relational culture, and we believe this culture flourishes as we each continuously strive to more fully embody these four core values:Faith: We define Faith as the foundational belief that our world and all our work belong to God. This allows us to engage our work with joy and lightheartedness, knowing that we are not ultimately in control.Humility: We define Humility as rightly viewing oneself as a single piece of a grander story. This humility leads to a view of oneself that is neither too high nor too low.Generous Spirit: We define a Generous Spirit as a readiness to give more grace, mercy, and hospitality than is necessary or expected. This posture allows us to see others for who they are, not what they do.Integrity: We define Integrity as a wholehearted commitment to doing right by God, ourselves, and others. This wholeheartedness shows itself in consistently choosing honesty, responsibility and ownership in all actions and decisions. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. MLF is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen based on ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in accordance with federal and state law.