Programs Lead - Genesis Gardens

The Mobile Loaves & Fishes Genesis Gardens program exists at Community First! Village to cultivate connections in a beautiful and hospitable environment by inviting all to the banquet table, serving opportunities for engagement, dignity, and good food. The Program Lead position in Genesis Gardens is a key member of the team responsible for hosting large numbers of volunteers and neighbors who work together to cultivate and care for the gardens and host the weekly farmer’s market.

The right candidate is a hospitable, creative, and adaptable team player who takes initiative, loves supporting others, and is energized by building meaningful relationships with the neighbors and volunteers who work and serve in Genesis Gardens.

This is a non-exempt position reporting to the Sr. Programs Manager. Due to the nature and requirements of the position, hours are typically 7am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. Some nights and weekends may be required. The Program Lead will office at Community First! Village located at 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724.

Community Engagement and Empowerment

• Maintain a hospitable presence where volunteers and neighbor contractors (residents of Community First! Village who work in the garden) feel welcomed and valued
• Welcome volunteers, providing a clear overview of the program, its purpose, and the volunteer shift structure
• Recruit, orient, and lead neighbor contractors, serving as their primary day-to-day supervisor
• Design and lead volunteer activities accessible to all ages and abilities
• Connect with volunteers during their shift to foster meaningful connections with contractors, and ensure they are having a meaningful experience
• Train neighbor contractors, volunteers, and staff on safe food handling and tools safety policies
• Monitor the team’s performance and find ways to optimize their efficiency
• Build lasting relationships with volunteers and neighbor contractors that inspire them to return working in the garden
• Collaborate with our Volunteer Team to ensure volunteers have a meaningful experience and are inspired to continue engaging with our community
• Maintain a space that inspires abundance, connects people human to human, heart to heart, and transforms the stereotypes about homelessness
• Coordinate the seasonal planting for the vegetable garden, fruiting trees, vines, and greenhouse
• Oversee quality control and record keeping for the farmer's market
• Manage the proper care of garden animals including chickens, guardian dogs, and barn cat
• Lead space repurposing initiatives to optimize the use of garden resources and infrastructure
• Drive Genesis Gardens forward as a model program in the Community First! Village
• Own the purchasing process from planning to submission
• Submit support and work order forms when equipment, infrastructure, or resources are not functioning
• Coordinate contract signing for contractors working in the garden
• Own the creation and maintenance of all policies and procedures specific to the garden
• Identify and coordinate opportunities to establish external partnerships that support the Genesis Gardens program
• Represent Genesis Gardens and MLF in outward facing presentations and relationship building
• Collaborate with the MLF Team to fulfill the program goals and create new opportunities within Genesis Gardens
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as necessary

• Committed to serving those who have experienced homelessness and have a personal alignment with MLF’s vision, mission, core values, and goals
• Creative in designing welcoming spaces where volunteers and contractors connect and grow
• Takes ownership and strives for excellence
• Adaptable to perform in a fast-paced, high-interruption environment
• Fast learner who takes initiative to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform in a garden role
• Highly skilled in relationship building with diverse populations
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team
• Emotionally intelligent and able to navigate the natural dynamics of a diverse and vibrant community
• Able to articulate how the program supports the vision of MLF

• 4+ years of experience in coordinating people, schedules, and projects
• Demonstrate…