Position: Program Specialist – Urban Agriculture
Location: 565 Morris Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
Salary Range: $30 per hour
Hours: 25 Hours per week
Schedule: Weekday afternoons and evenings
Employment Type: Part-Time, Non-Exempt

About Us
Founded in 1876, The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) is a youth development organization with the mission to empower boys and young men, ages 7 to 21, by providing effective programs and a supportive community. BCNY provides evidence-based programs to address the evolving social, emotional, health, creative, educational, and vocational needs of our members in meaningful, lasting ways. BCNY develops programs to cultivate positive qualities in members and strives to continually deepen and broaden our impact.

Job Summary
We have an opportunity for a passionate and knowledgeable Program Specialist to oversee and instruct urban agriculture programming for boys ages 12-18 years old. The Program Specialist will collaborate with the Junior Director and Teen Director to create and deliver engaging programming that supports the social, emotional, physical, and behavioral health of our Junior and Teen members via engagement with indoor and outdoor gardens and planting initiatives at our clubhouse in Mott Haven, the Bronx, as well as with partner organizations. The Program Specialist will also oversee garden maintenance such as watering schedules and regular upkeep, required to uphold quality youth programming. We are seeking a reliable, highly motivated candidate with experience in urban gardens and an interest in cultivating and ensuring green space initiatives for youth.

Responsibilities
• Collaborate with the Junior Director and Teen Director to plan and conduct activities for a balanced, fun, and youth-driven program of instruction, demonstration, and practice that provides students with skills related to urban gardening and hydroponics.

• Collaborate with wellness, nutrition, and cooking programs to integrate urban agriculture content with related programming.

• Create schedules for and delegate watering and plant upkeep for clubhouse members and staff.

• Maintain inventory of tools, supplies, seeds, and equipment. Coordinate with Junior & Teen Directors to ensure materials are replenished.

• Teach lessons to groups of 5-10 adolescents to build skills in gardening and plant life.

• Monitor and document member attendance, engagement, and skill growth to help guide ongoing program refinement and improvement.

• Model and enforce adherence to sound health and safety practices for each member.

• Engage with members and use appropriate strategies to preemptively defuse inappropriate behavior and encourage positive interactions.

• Review instructional content, methods, and members’ performance in order to assess strengths and weaknesses, and engage in curriculum revision, development, or elimination.

• Responsible for completing and the timely submission of all program reports relative to this position, including but not limited to supply requests, lesson plans, and timesheets.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Successfully manage projects with high standards of quality and attention to detail. Work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy as part of a team. Results-oriented with a learning approach and good judgment.
• A passion for environmental conservation and green spaces
• 2 years’ experience in community gardens, greenhouses, hydroponics labs, or other sustainable sources of planted fruits/vegetables
• At least one year’s experience working with a group of school-aged children
• Comfort with different education techniques and openness to new developments in the field
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and to address the varying needs of the boys in our program
• Able to manage boys individually and in groups
• Committed to a set schedule agreed upon by Clubhouse Director and Associate Clubhouse Director
• Familiarity/knowledge of Mott Haven, the Bronx, and/or the surrounding neighborhood preferred

The Boys’ Club of New York is an equal opportunity employer
and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law. If you have a disability or other protected need requiring an accommodation, please contact Human Resources.