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Employment Type: Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Vacancy ID: NF0009327

Salary Range: $59,310 - $60,000

Position Summary/Description:

The Community Gardens Program Manager leads the Carolina Community Garden and Edible Campus UNC , two North Carolina Botanical Garden ( NCBG ) programs that promote sustainable agriculture, food access, and experiential learning. Reporting to the Director of Learning & Community Engagement, this role oversees operations, program development, and administration, while promoting NCBG’s mission to connect plants, people, and place through science, engagement, and conservation.

The Program Manager supervises a full-time coordinator, part-time assistant, interns, work-study students, and a large volunteer base. Core responsibilities include managing organic produce production and distribution, coordinating volunteer workdays, developing and evaluating educational and community programs, cultivating partnerships across UNC and the broader community, managing budgets and reporting, and supporting fundraising.

Education and Experience:

*At least three years of relevant experience in organic gardening and sustainable agriculture.

*Experience managing a community garden, school garden, or similar garden-based program.

*Experience developing and/or leading educational or community programming, especially in horticulture, environmental education or food justice.

*Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a University environment, including with students and faculty, and within the overall mission and goals of an educational institution.

*Experience working with individuals and organizations across cultural, socioeconomic, and organizational contexts.

*Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and/or securing in-kind contributions.

Essential Skills:

Technical Knowledge & Experience

*Strong working knowledge of organic gardening and sustainable agricultural practices, with hands-on experience in producing a variety of edible foods.

*Skilled in all aspects of garden operations, including bed creation and preparation, seeding, transplanting, weeding, pruning, harvesting, greenhouse propagation, composting, and irrigation system maintenance.

*Demonstrated ability to design, construct, and maintain garden infrastructure, signage, and accessible features.

*Knowledgeable in sustainability principles, food systems, and environmental and food justice issues, ensuring garden operations align with ecological and community-focused goals.

*Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, etc.).

Leadership & Management

*Experience recruiting, training, motivating, and managing staff and volunteers.

*Strong team-building skills with the ability to foster engagement, collaboration, and accountability.

*Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and maintain high standards of quality.

*Self-motivated, creative, and detail-oriented, and capable of independently identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing solutions.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

*Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

*Strong interpersonal skills with a helpful, friendly, and professional approach when working with students, staff, volunteers, and community partners.

*Adept at building positive relationships and promoting a welcoming, inclusive environment that encourages participation and collaboration.

Additional Requirements

*Willingness to work flexible hours, including regular weekends.

*Valid North Carolina driver’s license or ability to obtain one.

*CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within one month of hire.

AA/EEO Statement:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.