job opportunities

Hello friends:
The Knox Parks Foundation has been very fortunate recently.  We have received funding to increase our staff by 2.  Actually, that isn't all, but this message is going to be long enough already.  Below are 2 job descriptions and a summary of project initiatives that the new people will be involved in.  I'd be happy to hear from folks with interests in this area.  Incidentally, I'll be at the conference in DC this weekend if anyone would like to pursue this face-to face.
Jack Hale
 
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Job Description

Community Organizer

The Community Organizer will bring Knox’s wide range of programs to the Hartford area community. He or she will be part of the program team, including the Green Crew Coordinator and the Program Developer/Manager who together will have general responsibility for all Knox programs as described on the attached program listing. The Community Organizer will work with other team members and the grantwriter to identify and define fundable program components and will assist the grantwriter in preparation of grant proposals. The Community Organizer reports to the Executive Director.

The primary role of the Community Organizer will be to develop and maintain the networks of individuals and organizations necessary for the success of Knox programs. Key elements of these networks will include teachers, community gardeners, community organizations, City of Hartford staff, human services case managers, potential employers for Knox trainees, community volunteers, and neighborhood leaders. This is not an entry-level position.

Valuable skills:

  • Able to communicate effectively in person and in writing with a wide range of people.
  • Genuinely likes and gets along with a wide range of people
  • Makes effective use of computers
  • Effective phone manner
  • Understands how to empower people to work together for the good of the community
  • Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish as well as English
  • Presentable appearance
  • Sensitivity to racial, ethnic and class differences as well as other differences among people with whom he or she will work
    •
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Positive attitude about the potential of all sorts of people
  • Able to communicate community organizing values and practices to team members and incorporate them into program efforts

Important experience:

  • Substantial community organizing experience
  • College degree not required but relevant college work will be noted
  • Knowledge of Hartford, its people, and the surrounding area

Compensation will be competitive, including substantial benefits, and will be based on skills and experience.

Knox expects to fill this position in April, 2001. Application deadline: March 15, 2001.

Interested parties should submit a resume and letter of interest to:

Personnel Committee
Knox Parks Foundation
75 Laurel Street
Hartford, CT 06106

e-mail i*@knoxparks.org

fax 860/951-7244

The Knox Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All are encouraged to apply.

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Job Description

Program Developer/Manager

The Program Developer/Manager will develop and implement a range of programs, primarily educational, focused on horticulture. He or she will be part of a team, including the Green Crew Coordinator and the Community Organizer who together will have general responsibility for all Knox programs as described on the attached program listing. The Program Developer/Manager will work with other team members and the grantwriter to identify and define fundable program components and will assist the grantwriter in preparation of grant proposals. The Program Developer/Manager reports to the Executive Director.

The primary roles of the Program Developer/Manager will be:

  • to enhance existing programs as described in the attached listing
  • to develop new programs as described
  • to maintain consistently high levels of program value and integrity throughout the organization by working closely with other team members

Valuable skills:

  • Able to communicate effectively in person and in writing with a wide range of people.
  • Genuinely likes and gets along with a wide range of people
  • Makes effective use of computers
  • Effective phone manner
  • Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish as well as English
  • Highly organized work style
  • Ability to bring professional skills to bear in a team of people with dissimilar backgrounds
  • Able to design and implement programs with diverse educational and programatic focuses
  • Ability to develop program budgets and operate within them

Valuable experience:

  • Substantial experience in the development and management of programs in the areas of community development, youth education, vocational training, and/or organizational development
  • Related college degree or equivalent experience as a staff person and/or volunteer
  • Work in collaboratives or coalitions to achieve program goals

Compensation will be competitive, including substantial benefits, and will be based on skills and experience.

Knox expects to fill this position in April, 2001. Application deadline: March 15, 2001.

Interested parties should submit a resume and letter of interest to:

Personnel Committee
Knox Parks Foundation
75 Laurel Street
Hartford, CT 06106

e-mail i*@knoxparks.org

fax 860/951-7244

The Knox Parks Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All are encouraged to apply.

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Programs of the Knox Parks Foundation

The Knox Parks Foundation is a 35-year-old non-profit organization based in Hartford, Connecticut. Its aim is to improve life in the city and surrounding area through horticulture. Recent dramatic shifts in the Hartford program environment have led to serious re-examination of Knox programs and operations. These shifts include:

  • Radical refocusing of the Hartford Public Schools away from hands-on experiential education and toward highly regimented test-oriented teaching.
  • Abandonment of hundreds of residential properties in the city leading subsequently to demolition and an explosive increase in vacant land.
  • Rapid shifts of population out of and between neighborhoods, destabilizing clientele of such programs as community gardens.
  • Welfare reform leading to a significant reducation in clientele for job training programs and reduced resources for clients who wish to go through training.
  • Increased emphasis on programs for youth in the city, in particular the recent $28 million Youth Opportunity Grant, but including growth of community service programs associated with area schools.
  • Increased concern on the part of public officials and neighborhood leaders for the city’s physical appearance and condition.

The Knox board and staff recently completed a strategic plan that builds upon a history of successful and diverse programs, enhancing them and adding some new initiatives that respond to the changes outlined above. The following is a general description of these program areas.

Existing
Green Crew – a small crew carries out beautification projects throughout the city
    Initiatives – develop full scale youth conservation corps (below)
 
Community Gardens – Knox maintains 15 community garden sites throughout the city
    Initiatives – add gardens, strengthen organizations at gardens, improve production and appearance
Hartford Blooms – places and maintains 1000 planters throughout the city each year.
    Initiatives – improve impact and efficiency of program. Enlist and organize greater volunteer involvement
 
Urban Greens – youth entrepreneurship program. High school students produce and market produce to area restaurants. Includes community service components.
    Initiatives – add more students, enhance educational components, increase self-reliance of students
Job training – assists welfare recipients in finding appropriate entry level green industry jobs.
    Initiatives – Expand to include certificate program in more advanced job skills.

Developing

Youth Conservation Corps – out-of-school youth will develop marketable job skills while improving the appearance and productivity of city green space and providing a catalyst for city-wide volunteer efforts

Horticulture field trips for school children – successful Knox horticultural endeavors will become destinations for elementary school students seeking unique educational opportunities

Urban Horticulture Education Center – Knox headquarter building, grounds, and greenhouses will become educational resource and center for horticultural collaboration for Hartford and the Hartford area.

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