Workforce Development Associate

Workforce Development Associate

The Horticultural Society of New York (The Hort) seeks a proactive, empathetic, and relationship-driven Workforce Development Associate to support trainees in our growing workforce development programs. As a key member of both the Human Resources and Workforce Development teams, the associate plays a dual role—supporting participants in building professional and personal skills while connecting them with employment opportunities in horticulture, urban greening, and environmental stewardship.

• Drive successful job placements by cultivating relationships with local horticulture employers, parks departments, and sustainability partners.
• Secure employment, internship, and mentorship opportunities aligned with trainees’ goals.
• Partner with urban greening initiatives and sustainable landscaping businesses to identify placements.
• Promote program services and highlight trainee achievements to partners and in professional networking settings.
• Maintain updated records on referrals, placements, and trainee progress.
• Represent The Hort at workforce development coalition meetings.
• Plan and execute outreach efforts, including tabling at community events.
• Build trusting relationships with trainees to support confidence and skills.
• Participate in bi‑weekly trainings to align strategies with green industry standards.
• Provide cover letter, resume, interview skills, and goal‑setting support to exiting trainees.
• Develop and lead workshops and networking events designed to prepare trainees for the local nature‑based green industry.
• Collaborate with program facilitators to ensure training content aligns with employer expectations.
• Maintain and track program metrics and trainee records, and prepare accurate reports for stakeholders.
• Analyze program data to identify trends and support continuous improvement.
• Visit worksites to check in on crews, drop off materials, and provide additional support.
• Support the development of a post‑training alumni network.
• Coordinate and develop a referral process for trainees who complete the training program.
• Provide incremental retention follow‑up up to two years for all participants who completed training.
• Identify and recommend professional development opportunities for alumni.
• Partner with the HR team to facilitate orientations, trainings, re‑orientations, and exit interviews for trainees.
• Support full‑cycle recruitment efforts, including outreach, application review, candidate screening, interview, offers, and onboarding.
• Represent HORTNYC at partner organization presentations, career fairs, and community events.
• Support performance‑related conversations.
• Develop The Hort’s newsletter and circulate HR roundups, events, and brainstorm other ways to work across internal units.

• Ability to work a Saturday through Wednesday schedule.
• 2+ years professional work experience.
• 1+ year experience as a Career Coach, Employment Counselor, or in career development.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional networks that lead to job placements or industry partnerships.
• Experience working with individuals who have faced barriers to employment, with a demonstrated commitment to equity and accessibility.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate across departments to drive project or task success.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Strong commitment to accessibility and equity, particularly for underserved and under‑resourced populations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Highly organized and able to work independently while managing multiple projects at once.
• Comfort traveling throughout NYC via public transportation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite or similar platform.

• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Background in workforce development, non‑profit or nature‑based green careers.
• A degree in social work or related fields, such as psychology, vocational rehabilitation, or occupational rehabilitation from an accredited institution or 2‑4 years of related experience.

• Comfort working on a computer for prolonged periods of time.
• C…