Temp Summer Food Specialist

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
We are community builders co-creating enduring change toward a just society where every person has personal, social, and economic power. Our united system of programs, neighborhood centers, social enterprises, and partnerships connects individuals and their families across the region.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The primary objective of this position is to support summer teen internships through assisting 20+ youth in gardening, cooking, food systems and plant science activities. This person reports to the Food Systems Education Manager and is responsible for working on a team of four individuals leading a robust summer internship for youth ages 14-18 in Minneapolis. The Summer Food Systems Internship Specialist will help assist the team in daily facilitation, developing activities and encouraging positive youth development & workforce readiness skills with youth interns. The ideal candidate has previous experience working with youth in outdoor spaces and a spark for growing and preparing food.

Primary Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Strategy and Thought Leadership

• Work with team (ongoing meetings) to plan and reflect on activities
• Stay current with and connected to available community resources
• Assist with preparing and maintaining garden spaces, including watering, weeding, planting, harvesting, and garden infrastructure development

Operations and Outcomes

• Delivers, high quality programming to participants
• Track and report assigned metrics
• Maintain openness to new approaches

People and Community Development

• Maintain consistent supervision and uphold policies to ensure the safety, awareness, and well-being of all youth participants throughout program activities.
• Provide appropriate behavior interventions under guidance of Internship Coordinator
• Guide and model social skills, personal responsibility, problem solving, respect, and related skills
• Provide support as needed for all participants and staff to create an inclusive environment

Financial Management

• Use resources and supplies responsibly
• Record time and expenses accurately

Required Skills/Experience

• Able to build positive, nonjudgmental relationships with community
• Open to working in low-income neighborhoods with diverse community
• Understanding of appropriate personal boundaries and professional ethics
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends
• Self-motivating with excellent time management and accountability skills
• 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.

Desired Attributes

• Passion for what's possible
• Clear sense of personal purpose
• Commitment to social justice
• Creative problem-solver
• Skilled communicator and motivator
• Experience working with youth, especially in outdoor settings
• Willingness to work outside
• Interest in community agriculture, gardening, and food systems
• Experience working in diverse cultural settings
• Strong communication skills
• Successful completion of mandatory background check

A Note to Potential Candidates:

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and Black, Indigenous, People Of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that's okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Pillsbury United Communities is intentional about its responsibility of maintaining an equitable environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We hire, support, and promote talented individuals using a process that is fair and equitable to all that apply. We believe differences such as age, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation are valuable and an asset to our organization, and employees are protected from reprisal. All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.