Garden and Program Intern

The Sunflower Hill Garden and Program Intern is an integral part of the Sunflower Hill Garden team. You will work alongside the Garden Manager, Non-residential Programs Manager, Garden Assistant, and Garden Teacher assisting in the day-to-day garden operations and programming. On farm days, you will support the Garden Manager to maintain the garden infrastructure, performing landscaping and gardening activities. On program days, you will support the Garden Manager as well as support the Garden Teacher in implementing dynamic programs to enhance the experience and meet the needs of our program participants – adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and those in Transition Programs and Adult Day Programs. Please note that this is an unpaid internship.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are general examples, not a description of comprehensive duties. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on program needs without changing the nature or scope of this position or level of responsibility. May be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

  • Support the Garden Team to facilitate program/class visits as directed. This may include setting up garden tasks or snack time, task launching, working alongside our I/DD participants in the garden, and leading closing snack/discussion time.
  • Support diverse garden work teams. In collaboration with the Garden Manager, Non-residential Programs Manager, Garden Teacher, and Garden Assistant, identify and lead participant and garden volunteer work teams, providing oversight and task modification in the field as needed.
  • Understand the instructional garden curriculum and how to best implement and adapt for our program participants and their diverse needs.
  • Assist with tracking programmatic and harvest data for grants reporting.
  • Work under the direction of the Garden Manager in activities related to maintaining and implementing the crop plan: weeding, planting, harvesting, watering, garden maintenance, etc., leading to a successful garden environment for programs.
  • Collaborate with the Garden Team to implement micro-business ventures with volunteer and program participant support.

SCHEDULE

  • Summer – June – late August (start/end dates flexible)
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. optional Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (flexible on work days)
  • 8-16 hours/week (flexible on hours per week)

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

  • Interest in urban agriculture, working in an outdoor environment, and in working with individuals with I/DD

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

  • Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills
  • A flexible, and supportive approach toward working with teams
  • Must be a self-starter and have the ability to multi-task and work independently

INTERNSHIP OUTCOMES

  • Experience working within a collaborative team environment and dynamic nonprofit making community impact
  • Hands on experience and working knowledge of urban agriculture
  • Hands on experience working with individuals with I/DD
  • Recommendation letter and job reference upon completion (dependent upon work assessment)
  • Take home organic flowers and veggies!
  • Willing to work with school programs for transferable credit

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis and 70 pounds occasionally
  • Ability to constantly lift, bend stretch and stand during entire shift
  • Ability to frequently kneel, squat, bend, and stoop, twist and reach overhead with repetitive motions
  • Generally, works in a moderately noisy outdoor environment with interruptions
  • Intern is exposed to outdoor weather conditions throughout the summer

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Sunflower Hill strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices. Accordingly, Sunflower Hill does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

To apply for this unpaid internship, please send us your resume.