Growing Good Intern Lead

We are looking for an engaging educator to deliver teen programming in and around our urban produce gardens. The Growing Good Intern Lead will work with community partners to coordinate youth internship opportunities growing, harvesting, and distributing high-quality produce. They will guide multiple teams to explore and participate in various community food system activities and special events. This unique opportunity promotes local food access and community health, while building teamwork, leadership, and first-time job skills for young people.

Job Description

• 60% Program delivery and instruction of teen workdays
  • Lead teens through plant care activities and harvests with Garden Educator, partner organization staff, and volunteers
  • Lead teens in leadership and team-building activities
  • Identify and support teen-developed learning experiences about the local food system, community engagement, and growing food plants.
  • Coordinate and deliver on-site tours, field trips, cooking lessons, and intern trainings
  • Lead transportation and materials for teen activities
• 15% Garden Support and planning
  • Work with Garden Educator to prepare and put away garden materials
  • Support annual crop planning and teen input about what to grow
• 15% Project Communications
  • Attend team meetings and check-in meetings with Farm Education Manager
  • Work with partner organizations to support and recruit teens, and track work activities
  • Document lesson plans and results weekly and prepare annual plans and reports
  • Communicate regularly with partner organizations and teens to refine programs.
  • Track program expenditures and budgets
• 10% Management Team
  • Work as part of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum team to ensure all aspects of programming and production are running as efficiently as possible.
  • Assist with staff onboarding and other events and activities as needed.
  • Demonstrate and document best practices to support and represent the Arboretum by request.

WORK SCHEDULE

• position February-October 40 hours/week.
• Office primarily at the UMN Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center (UROC) campus in North Minneapolis, occasionally at the Arboretum.
• Schedules fluctuate depending on workload.
• The Arboretum is open Sunday-Saturday (seven days a week).

Physical Demands
This is a garden setting. Staff must be able to work on foot all day in all weather conditions performing manual labor. There will be frequent lifting, standing, walking, bending, tool usage, machinery operation, and speaking to the public, staff, and program participants. Staff is required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 lbs. Staff are expected to work in multiple locations.

Required

• BA / BS in related fields or a combination of education and experience equal to at least four years.
• Experience working in diverse cultural settings
• Strong communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Experience working with youth and/or adults in an informal and/or non-formal education setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of vegetable and ornamental annual plants well adapted to Twin Cities climate
• Successful completion of mandatory background check
• Drivers license

Preferred

• Experience working in partnership collaboration
• Experience with co-creating educational program experiences
• Working knowledge of Google Suite including Gmail, docs, sheets, and slides.
• Volunteer recruitment, coordination, and training experience
• Familiarity with 21st Century Job Skills and other teen-focused employment programs
• Completion of the Farm at the Arb Sustainable Horticulture Certificate

Since 1985, The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Growing Good program has served as a vital youth development program for pre-kindergarten to high school students in the Twin Cities Metro. Join a team of educators developing inclusive, positive youth experiences with plants. The Growing Good team and community partners grow food in urban gardens and engage residents with hands-on learning activities.

Pay Range: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).