Job Description

JOB PURPOSE: The supervisor will guide the garden interns so that they are safely and efficiently able to maintain the vegetable garden and grounds at Labateyah Youth Home. Organic and sustainable gardening practices are desired. Interns should be taught basic cooking procedures for preparing healthy food. The supervisor must strive to instill the following attributes into the youth: good communication, reliability, adaptability, honest and fair work ethics, teamwork, planning, creative thinking/problem-solving; and assist in developing other relevant skills to which the intern is drawn. This job will be funded for up to 15 hours/week at $23.50/hr.-24.50/hr. The position is funded by a King County Waterworks grant through 01/31/2027, with opportunities for additional funding.

Essential Duties

1. Throughout the year, actively ensure the vegetable garden, trees, bushes, flower beds and any other food beds at Labateyah are producing at maximum output while still using the best known sustainable and/or organic garden practices.

2. Provide orientation, training, supervision and feedback to interns. Teach interns gardening methods that aim to fulfill these directives: use of best known and/or traditional practices, efficiency, sustainability, organic methods, water conservation, improved food quality and nutrition, improved neighborhood environment, increased community and societal benefit.

3. Teach interns the above mentioned best gardening methods when performing the following: garden and landscape planning, garden structure construction, composting, bed preparation, use of greenhouse and cold frames, planting, weed control, disease and pest control, irrigation, cultivation, fertilizing, mulching, pruning, seed production and the creation of good soil and plant environments.

4. Instruct interns in safe and efficient use of garden and carpentry tools/equipment

5. Create and utilize a schedule that outlines each 4-6 week internship sesssion. The schedule must conceive ways to concurrently teach the garden skills, cooking skills and personal life skills outlined in above Job Purpose. 2-4 internships sessions are expected per year, with 3-5 interns participating each year.

6. Assist in volunteer recruitment and engagement; aiming to recruit at least 4 consistent volunteers and 15 volunteers engaged throughout the year.

7. Help interns keep track of work performed and hours worked thereon. Keep track of quality of intern work. Document weekly progress meetings with interns; as well as onboarding and exit surveys. Report this information to Community Services Division Director or Designee

8. Develop and maintain partnerships with other agencies and organization such as Dirt Corp, Seattle Tilth Alliance, Culturally Relevant Organic Plant Starts (CROPS) Program, Garden City Hotline, etc. Facilitate connections to the environmental field through internship development and job placement. Aim to meet quarterly for garden consultation with nonprofit and volunteer partners.

9. Assist with review and revision of curriculum with a focus focused on environmental sustainability, food sovereignty, and water conservation. Provide reflection activities, incorporating feedback and suggestions.

10. Work with management to create and utilize outreach materials to distribute to nonprofits, groups and programs within and outside United Indians of All Tribes. Acknowledge King County WTD funding where applicable.

Conditions of Employment

1. Pass a background check.

2. Acceptance of diversity in ethnic, cultural and spiritual practices and lifestyles.

3. Experience and expertise with gardening and carpentry.

4. Food Worker Card

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $23.50 - $24.50 per hour

Expected hours: 15 per week

Benefits:

Employee assistance program
Work Location: In person