Job Title

Food Garden Site Manager

Location

Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, Middleton St E2 9RR

About Us

We are a community Nature Reserve dedicated to promoting sustainable land care and food growing practices. Our work is centred around fostering community engagement through our urban ecology and food growing. Our work aims to create a healthier, more resilient community by supporting our neighbours to grow their own food, fostering a sense of connection to the land and one another.

Site Manager Role Overview

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Site Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of our community food growing site. The Site Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the food garden, coordinating local growers, volunteers, and implementing sustainable growing practices across the entire garden. The Site Manager will be working closely with the Bethnal Green Nature Reserve team and Teasdale & Hollybush Tennant’s and Residents Association.

Responsibilities

1. Site Management: Maintain and manage the community food growing site, including keeping the space tidy of clutter, overseeing weekly maintenance tasks, and ensuring compliance with our health and safety regulations.

2. Volunteer Coordination: Train and coordinate volunteers and apprentices for various tasks such as planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting. Provide guidance and support to volunteers to ensure a positive and productive experience.

3. Community Engagement: Work closely with community members, schools, local organisations, and businesses to engage and promote the project, this includes hosting occasional tours and events, workshops, and educational activities, fostering a sense of community ownership and involvement.

5. Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain records of activities, volunteer hours, grower records, expenses and health and safety data.

6. Resource Management: Manage resources effectively, including budgeting for supplies, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.

7. Continuous Improvement: Monitor and evaluate the project's effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance the project's impact and sustainability.

8. Work closely with the Nature Reserve site team and directly support the management of the community gardener apprentice role.

Qualities of Site Manager (essential)

- Resident of Bethnal Green.

- Previous experience in site management of community food growing garden or agricultural settings (minimum 2 years).

- Basic carpentry and DIY skills for day-to-day maintenance tasks.

- Proficient horticultural knowledge growing culturally diverse variety of vegetable and herbs.

- Good local knowledge of Bethnal Green, with the ability to motivate and inspire residents to engage with and help care for the garden.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

- Flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.

Qualities of Site Manager (preferable)

- Knowledge of sustainable growing practices and environmental stewardship principles.

- Proficiency in basic computer skills for record keeping and reporting.

- Experience developing Health and Safety Risk Assessments.

Benefits

- Flexible work schedule.

- Professional development and training opportunities.

- Competitive salary.

We welcome applications from as wide a range of voices as possible and are especially encouraging applicants with unique perspectives and/or lived experiences related to race, class, disability, sex and gender.

Application Deadline

6pm, 29^th April 2024

How to Apply

Please submit a one A4 page cover letter outlining your relevant experience, skills and why you are passionate about joining our team [email - info@bethnalgreennaturereserve.org].

Contract Terms

- Freelance - £18.75 per hour, x52 week contract period (subject to DBS)

- Working hours – 8 hours per week (inc. 1 hour paid lunch break)

- x3 month probation review