Youth Garden Interns (Ages 16-21) at North Hills Community Outreach – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families in crisis by addressing basic needs, promoting long-term stability, and supporting our older adult neighbors. We envision Northern Allegheny County as a sharing community where no one needs to be cold, hungry, or alone.

Garden Youth Interns support North Hills Community Outreach’s (NHCO) Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Memorial Garden by assisting with the growing, harvesting, and distribution of fresh produce for local families in need. This role provides hands-on learning in sustainable gardening, food systems, and community service, while contributing directly to NHCO’s mission of ensuring that no one in our community goes cold, hungry, or alone.

Essential Duties

• Assist the Garden Coordinator with field preparation, planting, cultivation, harvesting, and packaging of crops for NHCO’s three food pantries.
• Support and assist volunteers during garden workdays and educational visits.
• Record the quantity of produce harvested and distributed to food pantries.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming garden environment for visitors and volunteers.

Secondary Duties:

• Support the mission of NHCO in the community
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Interest in gardening, sustainability, and community service.
• Willingness to learn and follow directions while working both independently and with others.
• Strong work ethic, dependability, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Respect for diversity and commitment to NHCO’s values.

Experience/ Education Requirements:

• Must be between the ages of 16 - 21.
• Must possess a valid work permit if under age 18.
• No prior gardening experience required; training will be provided.
• Required to submit Child Abuse Clearance, Criminal Background Check, FBI Fingerprint Clearance, and Mandatory Reporter Training.

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:

1. Work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat and rain.

2. Physical activity includes bending, kneeling, standing, walking, lifting, and carrying garden tools and produce (up to 40 lbs.).

3. Must be comfortable performing manual labor and working with soil, plants, and gardening equipment.

4. Must have reliable transportation.