NEBHDCo is seeking a talented, passionate, and dedicated individual for the consultant position of Youth Programs Organizer, to play an important role in raising the excellence and expanding the breadth of youth programming at NEBHDCo. This programming is a part of the Communities for Healthy Food Program at NEBHDCo, a food justice project in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Job Summary

The Youth Programs Organizer will be responsible for the development of educational materials and administration & facilitation of all youth programs. The Youth Programs Organizer will work under the supervision of & reports directly to the Community Healthy Food Advocate (CHFA).

 About NEBHDCo, Communities for Healthy Food, and Youth Programs

Established in 1985, Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation (NEBHDCo) is committed to the preservation, development and management of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities; community and economic development initiatives and human services that effect social change in Central and East Brooklyn. NEBHDCo owns and operates 96 buildings comprising over 1,000 units of affordable housing. Our portfolio also includes 17 commercial storefronts and 8 gardens. Our Community Programs Department works across two broad areas: Healthy Food and Living, and Tenant and Community Supports. The Youth Programs Organizer works within the Healthy Food and Living program area.

Healthy Food and Living:

Golden Harvest Food Pantry, grand re-opening June 2014, in a beautiful new 2-story facility to provide: Emergency food distribution on the main floor, supermarket-style client choice model; Increased availability of and education about fresh produce, including from local sources; Demonstration kitchen, classroom and 3-station benefits center on the second floor.

Communities for Healthy Food Bed-Stuy, a food justice and food access initiative, with a holistic approach to bettering the food system in Bed-Stuy through five main program areas: Urban Gardens and Farms: Advocacy and Community Building; Culinary and Nutrition Knowledge Sharing; Retail Work; Good Food Jobs.

Youth Programs at NEBHDCo

We believe that young people should have the opportunity to participate in their community and be seen and heard. Our youth programs empower young people to take action for change on food system and related issues on the local, regional, and even national level. We do this by taking time to explore the current food system, visioning what it could be, develop skills to grow and prepare their own food, and finally, to engage in projects to improve the food system.

In 2014, we started two new programs for teenagers: FEEST (Food Empowerment Education and Sustainability Team) and the TurnUp Garden Youth Internship Program.

Starting summer 2016, we have combined these programs to involve more teens, add more program hours, and deepen the curricula to increase youth leadership and involvement in food justice work. We’re calling this the Growing Youth Power Project. A 2-tiered program introduces new participants to urban farming, food justice, cooking from scratch, and job skills through a 5-week summer program. These new participants are led by two adult facilitators and peers participating in a new 7-week advanced track. The advanced track goes deeper into skills introduced in the beginner track, building new skills in leadership, workshop design and facilitation, and peer engagement. Food grown in the summer programs is donated to our Golden Harvest Food Pantry, increasing access to fresh and local produce in our neighborhood. During the school year, our FEEST leadership program recruits youth to co-lead monthly youth drop-in dinners and develop and design and implement food justice projects.

Job Duties

Administration

·        Manage the creation of program materials such as flyers, applications, enrollment forms, etc.

·        Coordinate the youth application process for all youth programs: collect and organize applications, interview youth, notifications, etc.

·        Organize special events for youth programs – field trips, harvest festival, graduation, conferences, etc.

·        Develop and revise curricula for all youth programs.

·        Create an alumni program for aged-out program youth.

·        Purchase and organize program materials.

·        Work with a program evaluation consultant to implement program surveys and other data collection.

·        Track and document program sessions with sign in sheets, notes, photos, & any other means deemed appropriate.

·        Advise and assist the Food Justice Organizer with youth outreach.

 Facilitation

·        Design and co-facilitate summer and school-year programs according to program curricula.

·        Design and co-facilitate monthly FEEST Dinners.

·        Work with NEBHDCo’s farmer to coordinate farm work with youth.

·        Work with Food Justice Organizer and school-year participants to design and implement food justice activism projects.

·        Serve as a consistent and strong role model for all youth interns.

·        Carry out program policies and amend when needed.

·        Respond to and support the resolution of conflicts as they arise.

·        Maintain effective relationships with youth and parents, communicating clearly and directly.

·        Supervise youth work days, keeping youth engaged and creating a valuable work experience.

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

·        BS/BA, preferred, but not required. Major in political science, food studies, education, nutrition, culinary arts, or a related field.

·        Candidate should be well versed in food systems and food justice issues.

·        At least 2 years’ experience in community organizing and/or as an activist for food or social justice causes.

·        Direct teaching experience is a must. Preferred background in popular and experiential education with strong facilitation skills using collaborative and participatory models.

·        Excellent interpersonal, community building, public speaking, and conflict mediation skills.

·        Excellent verbal and writing skills.

·        An ability to teach a racial and economic justice analysis, especially as it relates to the food system.

·        Ability to work independently and within a team structure.

·        Must be able to do manual labor around our gardens and have a desire to work outside.

·        Solid expertise with Microsoft Office and other industry-related software

·        Ability to interact well with diverse community members, volunteers, and staff.

·        Proven team player who assists others, asks for help when needed and possess the ability to work independently.

Work Hours, Employment Type, Compensation

This is a consultant position. A contract will be signed for a period proposed to end June 1, 2018. For the months of June through August, 2017, the Consultant will be compensated for approximately 35 hours per week. From September 2017 – June 1, 2018, the Consultant will be compensated for 19 hours per week. Compensation will be $25 per hour. Hours must be flexible to align hours with program needs. Evening and weekend hours should be expected. 

How To Apply

Email cover letter and resume by May 3, 2017 to:

Bianca Bockman, Community Healthy Food Advocate, bbockman@nebhdco.org

Please include “Youth Programs Organizer” in the subject line.