Program Lead – Genesis Gardens

Program Lead – Genesis Gardens

The Mobile Loaves & Fishes Genesis Gardens program is located at Community First! Village, where we cultivate connections by inviting all to our banquet table, creating opportunities for engagement, dignity, and good food. The Program Lead 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 Program Lead leads the Genesis Gardens program, welcoming volunteers, supervising neighbor contractors, designing activities, and ensuring a hospitable presence for all participants.

• Maintain a hospitable presence where volunteers and customer contractors 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 and ensure a rewarding experience.
• Train neighbor contractors, volunteers, and staff on safe food handling and tool safety policies.
• Monitor team performance and find ways to optimize efficiency.
• Build lasting relationships with volunteers and contractors that inspire continued participation.
• Collaborate with our Volunteer Team to ensure volunteers have a meaningful experience and are encouraged to continue engaging with our community.
• Maintain a space that inspires abundance and transforms stereotypes about homelessness.
• Coordinate 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 program goals and create new opportunities within Genesis Gardens.
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as necessary.

MLF is a faith‑based organization whose ideals and philosophy come directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As an organization, we strive to reflect this precept in our communications, both internally and externally.

• 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 for 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 coordinating people, schedules, and projects.
• Demonstrated experience in gardening, landscaping, hospitality, nonprofits, or related fields is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree and PMP Certification are a plus.
• Driver's license.

• Proactive problem‑solver who can troubleshoot across plants, equipment, animals, and people.
• Manages projects and people in a changing and fast‑paced…