Garden Programs Coordinator

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Salary/Hourly Rate: $25.50/hour  

Hours per week: 40 hours per week, Tuesday-Saturday 

Job Classification: Full-Time, Nonexempt

Job Type: Onsite 

Location: Boston Urban Spaces, Boston, MA 

What You’ll Do:  

The Role: 

As a Garden Program Coordinator, you will operate the Blue Cross garden program and, in collaboration with the Boston Regional Engagement Manager, run workshops and events spanning the network of Boston Community Gardens, Hutchinson Field Reservation. You will give on-the-ground and virtual gardening guidance to BCBSMA associates and perform garden operations and upkeep. The coordinator works with the Regional Engagement Manager to plan, promote, and implement garden education and community-building programs across the Trustees' fifty-six Boston Community Gardens, and in Greater Boston. 

Specifically, you’ll: 

Blue Cross Garden Program    

• Lead weekly work session sat each site and/or run weekly virtual garden hours   

• Communicate via email with gardeners to inform them of tasks, answer questions and address garden needs and issues   

• Run monthly workshops at each site and/or online   

• Purchase and transport program supplies to each garden site as needed   

• Perform garden planting and maintenance   

• Communicate with Blue Cross staff supervising the garden program   

• Meet with Boston Region Engagement Manager on a regular schedule   

• Coordination with BCBSMA Facilities team for water, waste removal & infrastructure issues as needed   

• Maintain common areas including pathways, fences, and other infrastructure, including regular string trimming   

• Collect garden data and help with compiling annual report   

• Take photographs and generate social media content about the garden   

Boston Programs - Community Gardens, Hutchinsons Field Reservation, currently include but are not limited to:  

• Teach gardening workshops   

• Co-facilitate fall and winter session of Master Urban Gardener course   

• Support planning and execution of annual Gardeners’ Gathering conference  

• Support coordination and execution of the South End Garden Tour, seasonal celebrations, annual climate justice event, Boston Local Food Festival, and We are Milton Music Festival, ticketed concerts and classes  

• Support the Regional Engagement manager in maintaining relationships with local partners to support garden stewardship, volunteer engagement, program participation, revenue, DBIE and membership goals  

• Support Regional Vice President and Regional Engagement Manager with development efforts, membership sales, press releases and online/print marketing materials  

• Facilitate volunteer coordination for events and programs  

• Design, send, and maintain subscriber list for the monthly newsletter, the Boston Gardeners’ Gazette  

• Sell memberships while hosting events, programs, and tabling   

• Create and post content for Instagram and Facebook, including program promotions to drive attendance and increase visibility of the Greater Boston programming and wider Trustees    

• Assist with plant propagation and care at City Natives nursery as needed 

This is a full-time, non-exempt position working 40 hours/week reporting directly to the Boston Regional Engagement Manager.  

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• Minimum level of related work experience: 1-3 years 

• Driving Requirement: Under 10k 

• Minimum Level of Education: High school diploma or GED 

• Experience with garden education or public programming   

• Thorough and demonstrated knowledge of organic gardening techniques, including intensive growing, intercropping, vertical gardening, no-till methods, and water conservation   

• Experience with Zoom facilitation   

• Experience with Native plants, gardening for pollinators, and perennial care preferred   

• Social media outreach and flyer design preferred   

• Must have reliable transportation

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. [if needed] 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Want to learn more? Set up an informational call with a member of our People Team by emailing people@thetrustees.org. 

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 80 hours   

• Vacation time: 15 days per year  

• Early release time: 36 hours per year  

• Floating holidays/personal days: 15 Floating Holidays (13 observed holidays; 2 floating)  

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance  

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave  

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property  

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission. 

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity. 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.