ReWild Seeks Full Time Gardens Project Manager

Position: REWILD GARDENS PROJECT MANAGER

About: ReWild Long Island is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization with a mission to improve biodiversity and climate resilience through sustainable landscaping practices such as native plantings, regenerative gardening, composting, reducing lawn chemical use and protecting waters, as well as seeking alternatives to gasoline and chemical powered landscaping.

The ReWild Gardens Project consists of two elements - the Community Gardens Program and the Summer Program to Fight Hunger and Climate Change - which share the goal of educating Long Island communities and youth on working with native plants and on the benefits of sustainable landscaping to regional environmental quality through hands-on learning under the guidance of experts in sustainable horticulture, composting, oyster gardening and more.

Job Description : This full-time position combines a number of synergistic roles, including garden designer, consultant and installer as well as educator and administrator. It is a hybrid position with outdoor hands-on group work, as well as remote work administering and co-ordinating programs. This full-time position may also be shared between two part-time employees, one taking the garden focused role, and the other more focused on administration.

Students at the ReWild Summer Program To Fight Hunger and Climate Change working on a Community Garden

As a consultant and designer, the Project Manager will help design, create and maintain native pollinator gardens as well as some water and vegetable gardens engaging with teams of volunteers. The Project Manager will be required to drive to various garden locations and work hands-on to assess conditions, prepare the earth, design and install plant gardens and install irrigation, as well as instruct volunteer helpers on their maintenance. These gardens are part of the ReWild Gardens Program and each has a local group of volunteers who will take responsibility for the garden’s creation and ongoing maintenance. 

An essential part of the job involves communicating with, training and educating diverse volunteer groups of all ages. As part of this role, the manager will also be involved in co-ordinating activities with youth organizers and interns of the Summer Program To Fight Hunger and Climate Change.

As an administrator, responsibilities include keeping up with the organization's meetings, tasks, events and basic bookkeeping. 

This key position requires a passion for sustainability and for the mission of ReWild Long Island. We are looking for organizers who have can work in a hybrid environment with both “left brain” and “right brain” skills. To thrive in this role, you have to be proactive, resourceful and capable of independent work. You need to be able to balance important tasks, have excellent organizational skills, and be a great collaborator.  In return, we offer a unique opportunity to grow with a dynamic, team-based organization and make meaningful contributions to Long Island’s ecosystems, pollinators and people.

Contact HR@rewildlongisland.org if you have any questions about the role.

Hours & Benefits: This is a full time position with health and vacation benefits. Periodic evening and weekend work is expected.

Location & Travel: Travel across Long Island for consultations is required. Mid-Island location desirable. Must have a reliable vehicle and a valid driver's license with a good driving record. ReWild will reimburse for mileage.

Qualifications: Prefer a degree or certification in gardening, landscaping, horticulture or related fields with work experience in administrative roles.

Skills:

  • Must have 3+ years of demonstrated experience with these basic sustainable gardening skills

    • Familiarity with common Long Island native and invasive plants, as well as pruning, trellising, weeding and other basic garden activities

    • Proven observation skills with ability to assess and improve plant health and appearance

    • Proficiency with hand tools, as well as the ability to clean/maintain equipment

    • Installation of small garden irrigation systems 

    • Edging, Fencing, Posts, Paths and other miscellaneous garden implementation

    • Integrated pest management and weed control

    • Composting and fertility management

  • Demonstrated Teamwork and Communication Skills

    • Good presence and group communication skills

    • 2+ years of working with youth and volunteers in a mentoring or educational capacity, including past part-time or seasonal experience (assistant teacher, college course TA/instructor, multi-year camp counselor, community group leader)

    • Ability to organize work groups and supervise volunteer crews of 10 to 20 people (or more)

    • Ability to present, train and coach diverse groups in garden concepts and executions. 

  • Demonstrated knowledge of basic productivity tools and software

    • MS Word, spreadsheets

    • Google Drive or other document management systems

    • Garden design / graphics software (desirable)

    • Zoom

  • Must have 2+ years of demonstrated experience in an administrative role, which may include the following responsibilities:

    • Provide general administrative support to members of the Board of Directors and Committees

    • Assist in preparing, tracking and organizing team calendars and timesheets

    • Support budgeting and bookkeeping procedures; assist with expense tracking and reporting. Knowledge in Quickbooks and basic accounting is desirable.

    • Maintaining records, documentation, and files on and off Google Drive

    • Assist with Website maintenance & social media updates

    • Assist with event planning and execution

    • Assist with Intern/Volunteer onboarding process and tracking volunteer attendance

    • Assist with education event and public talks (desirable)

    • Track and plan expenses, working within an established budget

    • Help with procurement planning

    • Various other tasks and activities as assigned

  • Multi-lingual skills a plus. Ability to speak, read and/or write Spanish highly desirable

  • Ability to work legally in the United States

Pay: Commensurate with Experience

ReWild Long Island