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JOB OPPORTUNITY

Growing Green Youth Training Director, Full-Time

Growing Green Program

Through our Growing Green Program, the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) is working to change the food system of Buffalo, NY by creating a sustainable and economically viable model of urban agriculture, creating economic opportunities for young people in the local food system and organizing young people and adults to advocate for land use and food policy that meets the needs of community members.  We enable youth to become community leaders to meet the direct food security needs of their urban neighborhoods through urban farming, food distribution & marketing, enterprise development, community education and advocacy work.

We are seeking a  Growing Green Youth Training Director, who will be responsible for coordination of all youth training, organizing and advocacy activities, including hands-on learning in sustainable urban agriculture, nutrition, microenterprise development, food systems, youth development and leadership education.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinate and implement Urban Agriculture training curriculum, covering topics of food systems, food justice, social enterprise, nutrition, community building and leadership development for inner city teens.  This includes planning and overseeing a 6 week youth summer employment curriculum for 30-35 teens and school year training program for up to 20 teens.
• Work closely with Farm & Markets staff to facilitate youth training at MAP’s farm and with MAP’s Mobile Market
• Implement youth enterprise training curriculum and assist with product packing, demos and sales
• Represent MAP as Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Coalition liason to help facilitate Youth Advisory Council and youth led public policy advocacy efforts
• Assist youth in maintaining web presence on networking sites like Facebook and GROWNY
• Provide academic and family supports and mentoring to Growing Green participants to ensure high school graduation and enrollment in college or further training

Other responsibilities include:

• Provide community education and assist with farm tours for schools, neighborhood groups, and other groups
• Help facilitate and raise funds for youth trips to national and regional conferences
• Represent MAP on Community Task Forces and working groups, as appropriate
• Supervise and train interns and volunteers
• Assist with MAP fundraising events including Flapjacks for the Farm and Tour de Farms.
• Contribute to online newsletters and other communications with MAP members and supporters
• Assist with strategic planning, program reporting and evaluation

Qualifications and required skills:

• At least 2 years experience working with or teaching youth, ages 14-20, in an urban setting
• Experience with non-traditional teaching techniques or training in non-traditional settings
• Ability to engage and build strong positive relationships with and between young people
• Experience working with diverse, low-income populations
• Knowledge of sustainable urban agriculture, regional food systems and/or social enterprise
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including social media fluency
• Experience doing community organizing or policy advocacy helpful
• Flexibility, sense of humor and passion for creating youth leaders a must
• Bi-lingual preferred; People of Color and Women encouraged to apply
• Own transportation and current driver’s license helpful

How to apply:

Please submit resume and cover letter by May 4, 2012 to Diane Picard at MAP, 271 Grant Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .