MKE Grows Garden Network Manager

Position Overview: The MKE Grows Manager will play a critical role in maintaining high quality program operations for Groundwork MKE’s Community Garden Network. While leading the charge related to communication and collaboration amongst the internal and external teams and stakeholders of Groundwork Milwaukee. This position will be the primary volunteer coordinator, serve as the point of contact for the MKE Grows Garden Network and spearhead the community events hosted by Groundwork MKE which values leading and learning alongside the community to protect, develop, and maintain sacred green space in the city of Milwaukee.

Groundwork Milwaukee: Groundwork Milwaukee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social well-being. Our work is done by focusing on people, land, and water, and reflects the objectives of our national chapter, Groundwork USA. Please visit our website to learn more: www.groundworkmke.org

Position Goals: The goal of this position is to serve as the leader of the MKE Garden Network providing leadership across Groundwork MKE’s programming areas focused on climate adaptivity, land stewardship and volunteer management ensuring Groundwork MKE’s program deliverables are completed with competency.

Core Responsibilities: 

1. Ensure High-Quality Program Operations
   • Maintain and improve the standards of Groundwork MKE’s Community Garden Network.
   • Develop and implement processes for efficient garden management and resource allocation and interpersonal relationships across the Garden Network.
2. Lead Communication and Collaboration
   • Serve as the primary liaison between internal teams, external partners, and community stakeholders.
   • Foster strong relationships to ensure alignment and transparency across all parties.
3. Volunteer Coordination
   • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers for the Garden Network-related activities and events.
   • Create systems for volunteer engagement and retention.
4. Community Engagement and Events
   • Plan, organize, and execute community events that promote green space stewardship including working with contractors, volunteers and staff to meet required outcomes.
   • Ensure events reflect Groundwork MKE’s values of holistic development, structured flexibility and authentic integrity with a disposition of joy.
5. Garden Network Point of Contact
   • Act as the primary resource for inquiries, support, and problem-solving within the MKE Grows Garden Network.
   • Provide guidance and resources to garden leaders and participants.
6. Promote Environmental Stewardship
   • Advocate for the protection, development, and maintenance of sacred green spaces in Milwaukee.
   • Integrate sustainability practices into all program operations and events.

Time Allotment for Position Responsibilities:

• 50% MKE Grows land management, programming, and volunteer engagement and support
• 25% Event planning, management and dissemination

• 15% Data Management and reporting

• 10% Team meetings and organizational collaboration

Responsibilities as a Member of the Groundwork Milwaukee Team:

• Participate as a professional and positive member of the organization by contributing to activities that support the organization’s overall mission and success.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Data keeping and reporting on work activities as directed.
• Support the process of reporting grants.
• Ability to utilize computer systems, manage phones, and travel to and from meetings and appointments.

Qualified candidates will have the following experiences, knowledge, and skills:

• Ability to navigate app and cloud based technology (GIS, Google Drive, Canva, etc)

• Experience working with diverse groups of people and effectively communicating with varying sized audiences

• Some combination of experience, knowledge, passion, interest, network within one or more of the following fields:
  • Land management
  • Fresh food cultivation/Gardening
  • Tree planting
  • Landscaping

Salary and Other Benefits: This is a full-time position, estimated to require a minimum of 40 hours/week. This is a salaried position. Starting pay is set at $43,000 per year depending on qualifications and previous experience. This position is eligible for 20 prorated vacation days a year, 11 paid holidays, and 5 prorated paid personal days. Must have a driver’s license. No health insurance benefits are currently offered.