Community Garden Intern

JOB TITLE: Community Garden Intern

REPORTS TO: Community Garden Program Manager

SCHEDULE: Tuesday-Friday (9:00am-5:00pm) [Varies]

LOCATION: Venice, CA

STATUS: 200 hours total

PAY RATE: $16.90/hour

NOTE: This position is only for youth members that are currently receiving services from SPY. All outside applications will not be considered.

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The 6-month, 240-hour, long internship with the Breaking Barriers to Employment program will offer

participants the opportunity to receive on-the-job training, professional development curriculum, and support identifying and transitioning into long-term employment. Centered around the SPY Community Garden, this internship opportunity will highlight food justice, community-building, and healing.

The first 3 months of the internship will take place at the SPY Community Garden on Venice Blvd, where interns will learn about gardening, urban farming, landscaping, cooking and more. The second 3 months of the internship will take place at a partner business of the intern’s choosing, in industries like food service, landscaping, nurseries and more. Throughout the program, interns will receive one-on-one support sessions with the Intern Liaison, as well as group based professional development classes.

The opportunity is also available to participate in a 100-hour internship with the garden through SPY’s Education and Employment program. The duties of the internship will include all those listed for the 3 months internship, just with a more flexible schedule.

This is the ideal opportunity for someone who is interested in developing their workforce skills.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Support the SPY Garden Team in growing the SPY Garden (planting, watering, weeding, composting, harvesting, distributing).
• Authentic participation in activities and discussions around garden-related topics, garden walks, and workshops.
• Help plan and co-facilitate garden-related workshops for youth and community members.
• Support management in tracking plant and volunteer data, as needed.
• Attend SPY Garden team meetings.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Demonstrated interest in gardening or urban farming.
• Active listener; uses reflection techniques when working with others to learn their needs and interests.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment; willing to work as part of a team. ? Collaborative and efficient problem-solving.
• Takes initiative; sets high standards for personal and team performance.
• Open to learning; willing to take a patient and consistent approach to one’s own development and growth.
• Takes direction easily and responds well to feedback.
• Thoughtful communicator; seeks to provide feedback in constructive ways.
• Welcoming personality; able to encourage and promote group and service participation.
• Is authentic and respectful of other members’ authenticity; appreciates diverse perspectives.
• Able to maintain a safe atmosphere for all people in the SPY environment.

BACKGROUND YOU’LL NEED:

• Candidates who apply must be a youth member that is currently receiving services from Safe Place for Youth (SPY) to be considered for this position. All other candidates will be rejected.
• Must be between 16-24 years of age
• Must be engaged in either Education & Employment OR Case Management at SPY.
• Has interest in exploring gardening/urban farming in a professional capacity.
• Has a reliable method of communication.
• Willing to complete a live scan (background check).
• Is punctual and organized.
• Able to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment.
• Can utilize a harm reduction, trauma- informed approach when working with young people.
• Experience providing peer education and knowledge of issues relating to youth homelessness preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated, weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are limited.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application