HOPE Garden Project

Position Title: Program Director

This is a grant-funded position that will run from March-October, with the opportunity for renewal based on staff review and secured funding. 

Start Date:  March 31, 2014 (Deadline to apply is February 13, 2014)

Status: Part Time, Tuesday–Friday (weekends/evenings as needed)

Reports to: Fiscal Agent, State DOH Contractor, Mason County Working Board

Collaborates With and Leads: Nutrition Educator, Farm Manager

Program Description

HOPE (Hands-On Personal Empowerment) Garden Project was originally founded in 2009, when Mason General Hospital donated 2,000 square feet of property to become a community garden.  In 2013 HOPE received a federal, USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education grant, in order to start an after school garden-based nutrition education program for youth, ages 14-18, at CHOICE Alternative School.  Now, in its second year, HOPE will be expanding by ¼ acre on Mason General grounds.  In order to best approach this expansion, fulfill federal grant requirements, and implement the strategic plan, HOPE Garden Project is now hiring an interim Program Director.

Position Description

HOPE Garden Project is seeking an interim Program Director that is well versed in the challenges of starting a program from scratch, meeting federal grant requirements, diversifying funding streams, and collaboratively creating program structure with both staff and youth.  Listed below are the major list of priorities for the coming year and is followed by a general list of responsibilities.

1)     Managing and fulfilling the SNAP-Ed grant objectives, including data compilation and the FFY16-17 Project Proposal and Budget

2)     Implementing a fiscal sponsorship and administrative relationship with GRuB

3)     Diversify the funding stream by gaining community investment, applying for regional/foundation/private grants, and donations

4)     Continue to build a HOPE Advisory Board of Mason County youth and professionals

5)     Maintain and build community partnerships

6)     Market the program through local media (newspapers, radio), social media (website, facebook), and general marketing materials (brochures, flyers)

7)     Provide financial oversight and leadership in meeting our mission, in collaboration with the HOPE Advisory Board and GRuB Board of Directors

8)     Organizing the record keeping aspect of the program (google drive, excel spreadsheets)

9)     Develop volunteer and intern positions

10)Supervise staff, interns, and volunteers

LEADERSHIP

  • Is committed to using a team approach and consensus-based decision-making process.
  • Is open to exploring and implementing cooperative structure and values.
  • Demonstrates initiative and creativity in responding to opportunities and challenges. Works with staff to introduce and adapt new ideas, approaches, and methods to increase the effectiveness of HOPE programs and operations.
  • Builds and communicates a shared board-staff vision, including a logic model, that guides HOPE’s work.
  • Champions HOPE’s continual evolution as a socially just and multi-cultural organization.
  • Connects HOPE’s work to the larger context of the health, education, and good food movements
  • Encourages collaboration, leadership, and communication.
  • Maintains a safe environment for the sharing of feedback throughout the organization.
  • Participate occasionally in youth programming, at discretion of lead educators
  • Able to admit and learn from own mistakes.

 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

  • Builds and improves relations with key stakeholders and partners, such as the Shelton School District, Mason General Hospital, and Community Lifeline.
  • Supports the Farm Manager and Board of Directors to cultivate major/individual donors, foundation and corporate support, earned income, and agency partners.
  • Supports the identification of HOPE for its values, mission, and its services to the community.
  • Plans for revenue needs and resources to sustain HOPE’s programs and operations concurrent with our strategic plan.
  • Engages in community activities and policy advocacy necessary to understand and positively impact forces affecting HOPE and its constituents.
  • Demonstrates competent communication, facilitation, and delegation skills. Provides timely, candid and constructive performance feedback.
  • Nurtures an environment that attracts great staff and satisfies their aspirations.

 

FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

  • Leads staff in developing an annual budget and operating plan and takes responsibility for meeting the commitments of the plan and budget.
  • Ensures that HOPE values are present in and congruent with annual budget and fiscal decisions.
  • Ensures that HOPE, its staff, and programs are working within applicable laws and regulations.

Position Requirements

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a field related to Public Administration, Non-Profit Management, Community Development, Public Heath
  • A commitment to HOPE’s vision, mission, and values.
  • Ability to create infrastructure and oversee multiple program components.
  • Minimum of 2 years experience in administration, program development, federal grant management
  • Experience in leadership of a health or youth oriented program
  • Experience facilitating diverse sets of people in achieving common goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and receive federal and private grants.
  • Strong capacity for all Microsoft Office programs, including Excel and Word
  • Leading by example to encourage teamwork, personal development, and shared responsibility for chores (housekeeping).
  • Excited by working within and furthering a shared leadership model.
  • Adept in non-violent/collaborative communication and conflict resolution.
  • An attitude of joyful abundance.
  • Willingness to embrace a culture that learns through play.

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Career and Tech Educator Certification or WA State Teacher Certification
  • Experience in marketing and program outreach.
  • Leadership experience in health, education, and/or food movements.
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice.
  • Gifted in systems thinking and conversational leadership.
  • Experience developing and implementing a business plan.
  • Experience building and sustaining multi-cultural organizations.

 

Application Process:

 

A Full Application includes:

  • Resume
  • Letter of interest
  • Responses to the questions listed below (Please limit your submission to these questions to no more than four pages.)
  1. What draws you to HOPE? How does this opportunity fit your aspirations?
  2. How do your skills, abilities, and gifts prepare you for this position?
  3. Tell us what you think about shared leadership.
  4. Referring to the first list of responsibilities, pick one that excites you and tell us why.
  • Two professional references and one personal reference with contact information.

 

We will only consider FULL APPLICATIONS.

DEADLINE FOR FULL APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 13, 2014 AT 9AM, PST.

 

Email completed applications in WORD or PDF format to: sheltonsnap@gmail.com

 

HOPE is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.