Farm coordinator

Location

Des Moines, IA | United States

Job description

YSS is seeking a compassionate, dedicated, nurturing Rooftop Gardens Farm Coordinator to help us guide young people toward stability and self-sufficiency. Our new program, Rooftop Gardens, offers an apprenticeship program for young adults who have lived experience in the foster care /juvenile justice systems, who are at-risk, or who are experiencing homelessness.

The program supports participant cohorts of 12-16 young adults aged 18-24 by offering curriculum-based workforce development training. Through the program, participants can gain employment experience, access to healthy, locally-grown foods, and nutrition education. The Farm Coordinator is responsible for all daily activities related to the maintenance and harvesting of on-site hydroponic farms, as well providing leadership and training for participants. Responsibilities include:

• Managing the day-to-day operations of the Rooftop Gardens Program, including all hydroponic and greenhouse farms.
• Overseeing all program planning and execution related to service delivery to Program Participants.
• Assisting with the planning and execution of special events.
• Support all promotional activities for the program, including recruitment and marketing, as needed.
• Building and maintaining community partnerships with businesses and stakeholders to support Program deliverables
• Maintaining all necessary record keeping and reporting functions as required by the Director of Youth Empowerment & Advocacy, including data collection for the funding sources.
• Participating in all scheduled and required meetings with YSS Staff and external stakeholders.
• Developing, implementing, and adhering to all YSS and Rooftop Garden Program policeies, processes, and procedures.

Please note that this description is not intended to be a complete list of the responsibilities required for this position. Duties may change at any time, with or without notice.

What will you get out of working at YSS?

We're glad you asked. At YSS, you can expect to find:

• A team of bright, collaborative, dependable, and fun colleagues
• An exciting, welcoming workplace
• A clear, mission-driven purpose to create hope and opportunity by putting kids first
• Opportunities for development
• Programs focused on your personal wellness
• Discounts on pet insurance for your furry family

Full-Time Employee Benefits include...

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Accrued paid time off, plus paid time off for holidays, your birthday, and volunteering
• Employee Assistance Program
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee recognition program
• Retirement offerings

For more about Rooftop Gardens, please visit

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit .

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Horticulture or related field.
• One year of experience working in a controlled environment greenhouse, hydroponic facility, or other commercial-scale agricultural operation.
• Experience with irrigation systems or mechanics.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations.
• Basic computer skills including data entry and use of Microsoft Office products.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Experience, or Skills

• Hydroponic growing experience is highly preferred
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate effectively with others.
• Ability to convey information effectively both verballs and in writing.
• Ability to use critical thinking skills to problems solve.
• Ability to manage resources effectively.
• Ability to manage one’s own time and the time of others.

The IDEAL Candidate

• Has lived experience with foster care or juvenile justice systems.
• Has prior experience working with at-risk youth.
• Has knowledge of urban agriculture
• Is an active, compassionate, listener.
• Is excited to come to work everyday.

About YSS...

One of Iowa's oldest and largest, youth-serving, nonprofit organizations, YSS's mission is to create hope and opportunity by putting kids first. Our programs impact tens of thousands of youths and families each year. We offer education to build healthy minds and bodies; counseling to overcome life’s challenges; and stability to focus on the future. Our diverse leadership team brings together a wide range of specialties and expertise, all dedicated to our mission.

Headquartered in Ames and located across Iowa, our sites are not cookie-cutter models—we tailor our services to fit the highest needs of each community. And we are still growing. YSS is constructing Ember, a 50-acre recovery campus in Central Iowa that will offer shelter, crisis stabilization, and residential addiction treatment for youth and young adults.

Our goal is to create a continuum of care—together, with programs that give youth the tools they need to succeed their entire lives. Work for YSS and you too can have a positive impact in the lives of young people.

Helpful to Know

YSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We believe that our strength lies in the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our employees. We strive to create an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and have equal opportunities to succeed. Our ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are central to our mission, and we are dedicated to continuous improvement in these areas.

YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

YSS’s Hiring Process

Communication with applicants is done primarily via email from our Paycom system. Please check your messages regularly. If you don't see messages in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder. If you have questions about your application, please email [email protected].

1. Application - All applicants are required to complete an online application. The application is considered complete when all questions have been answered, all required documents (resume, waivers) have been submitted, and the application has been electronically signed.

2. Assessment – As they are received, applications are reviewed for education, experience, and licensure (if required). If the required qualifications are not met, the application will likely be declined.

3. Interview – Depending on the number of applications received, we may choose to do initial phone interviews. Otherwise, we will move directly to in-person or Zoom interviews.

4. References – Applicants moving forward after their interview are asked to submit three references, which YSS then contacts.

5. Pre-employment Screening – Applicants are required to submit background check waiver forms at the time they apply. YSS conducts a Single Contact Repository (SING) background check on all final candidates. All offers of employment at YSS are contingent upon clear results of the SING. The SING provides authorized organizations online access to Iowa Criminal History and Sex Offender Registry information held by the Department of Public Safety/Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Department of Human Services (DHS) Central Abuse Registry for Child Abuse (CA) and Dependent Adult Abuse (DAA), as well as Professional License information. YSS also requires a clean driving record for positions that provide transport. Verification will be done through the records of the state that issued the individual’s current license.

6. Offer – Applicants selected for hire will receive a formal offer of employment via email with instructions of how to reply.

7. New Hire Meeting - The offer email will provide details on how to set up this meeting. You must schedule and attend this meeting before you can begin working or getting paid.

Job tags

Salary