POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Facilities Manager
Employer: Ithaca Children’s Garden
Location: 121 Turtle Lane, Ithaca NY 14850
Supervisor: Executive Director

About Ithaca Children’s Garden:
Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) is a non-profit organization driven by a mission to connect children to nature to create a more beautiful, resilient, and just world. Our vision is that every child has the basic human right to play, learn, and grow outdoors, and develops a life-long relationship with the living world.  We do that by fostering child-directed, hands-on learning and play in the living world by serving as a demonstration and training hub for those seeking ways to get more children outside.

Values:

1. ICG is CHILD-CENTERED by employing playwork philosophy and practice and embracing the 4 core values of the Circle of Courage: independence, mastery, belonging, and generosity to foster positive youth development.
2. ICG is INCLUSIVE, SAFE, and committed to becoming a MULTICULTURAL organization that challenges racist power structures.
3. ICG is COLLABORATIVE by partnering with community agencies, individuals, and other field leaders to develop synergies and build on collective strengths.
4. ICG is INNOVATIVE by continuous development, evaluation, learning, reflection and improvement in our work, bringing a spirit of positivity in all things.
5. ICG is ECOLOGICALLY- CENTERED by practicing and demonstrating ecologically sensitive methods of land-care and people-care and interpreting the benefits of such practices to visitors and program participants.

Summary:
The Facilities Manager is responsible for the overall maintenance and development of the Ithaca Children’s Garden physical site. The Facilities Manager keeps all physical elements of the garden site in good repair, ensures visitor safety, plants and maintains a 3-acre garden (including 120×50’ kitchen garden), provides education to the public about site work in progress and upcoming, and prioritizes all work according to the mission, vision, and values of Ithaca Children’s Garden.

The Facilities Manager is instrumental in carrying out the daily work involved with maintaining a 3-acre public garden. This includes coordinating with contractors, designers, tradespeople, and site and interpretation committee and volunteers; and providing strong support to ICG’s educational priorities and the Teen Urban Farmers. The Facilities Manager provides on-site management and coordination, and executes the vision and priorities as directed by the Executive Director.

Excellence in collaboration and communication with diverse audiences, including community youth programs, horticultural businesses and institutions, contractors, city parks and forestry staff, casual visitors, and ICG staff and committee members is critical. Ability to work in all weather and conditions, and to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis is required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall safety, care, upkeep, and maintenance of the Ithaca Children’s Garden in alignment with established priorities
• Implement planting plan which supports mission and vision of ICG, and supports all on-site educational activities
• Coordinate with Camp Director and Teen Urban Farmers Program Manager to best support educational programs and volunteer activities
• Lead weekly volunteer sessions
• Maintain tool shed and utility area, and keep all tools in excellent order and working condition
• Coordinate the work of designers and contractors so work proceeds on schedule, and with appropriate permissions and permits
• Arrange for mowing services and ensure the 3-acre site is kept neat, attractive, and in good repair; inspect site regularly to ensure high standards of maintenance
• Secure supplies and other resources (soil, plants, building materials, etc.) as needed for gardening projects and educational programming, request donations or negotiate discounts when appropriate, keep meticulous records of all work completed at site, and provide monthly reports of activities
• Participate as liaison to ICG site committee
• Keep the Executive Director informed about site development progress and concerns

Reporting Relationships:
This position is supervised by the ICG Executive Director and works in collaboration with the Teen Urban Farmers Program Manager and Camp Director. This position requires supervision of program assistants, volunteers, and interns to meet program needs as well as coordination of work with contractors and others involved in site development and educational programming. The Facilities Manager will participate in staff and committee meetings as necessary.

Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racism and willingness to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all
• Demonstrated ability to execute physical work required to maintain and improve facility
• Basic carpentry skills, ability to be handy, make repairs as needed, and problem solve various situations as they arise, including: fencing, roofing, signage, plumbing, and drainage
• Ability to have a flexible schedule, with occasional weekend hours
• Demonstrated ability to secure and manage resources
• Knowledge of proper garden tool maintenance and use, and ability to train others in safe, appropriate tool usage and protocols
• Demonstrated ability to be in a supportive, empowering, and collaborative role with others
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Education and Experience Required

• Gardening knowledge and experience
• Experience supervising landscaping activities, people, and projects

Special Requirements

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends as needed
• Ability to meet travel demands of the position

Title: Facilities Manager

Salary/wages: $18.50/hr

Hours/Benefits:  This position is funded for 1,080 hours/year: with approximate breakdown as follows: April-Oct: 30 hrs/wk;  Nov-Mar: 15 hrs/wk. 

Limited benefits available as per ICG benefits policy

Application Deadline:  Submit cover letter and resume to:
Ithaca Children’s Garden – Facilities Manager Search
ATTN: Richard Lansdowne
richard@ithacachildrensgarden.org by December 4 or until position is filled

ICG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law, where applicable.