Program Support Specialist

Organizational Overview

Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) is a 501c3 nonprofit fighting food insecurity and diet-related disease through school-based, youth-led hydroponic farming, providing local, sustainably-grown produce to food desert communities and building health equity for all New Yorkers and beyond. TFFJ works within Title I middle and high schools in food deserts, training students to maintain indoor hydroponic farms growing thousands of pounds of produce annually that is served at school lunch and distributed to surrounding communities. Further, students learn nutrition and health skills to share with peers/neighbors, leading themselves and others towards healthier futures.

Position Overview

Partner with TFFJ to build an equitable, sustainable, healthy food system throughout New York City through school-based, youth-led hydroponic farming!

Reporting to our Farm Operations Manager and Far Rockaway Regional Program Manager, the Program Support Specialist will support farm operations, maintenance, and farm programming activities across Teens for Food Justice’s Far Rockaway Farm Hub.

As part of this work, this role will also collaborate with TFFJ’s Farmer-Educators, Far Rockaway Regional Program Manager, Senior Hydroponic Systems Manager, Hydroponic Systems Coordinator, STEM Programming & School Partnerships Manager, school partners, and school-based staff. While undergoing training from TFFJ’s Farm and Program teams, the Program Support Specialist will operate and maintain the farms; support elementary, middle and high school students as they work and learn on the farm; and master high-tech urban agricultural, nutrition, and food justice advocacy skills.

Please note: The Program Support Specialist will be required to clear a criminal background check. Additionally, this is a part-time, temporary role that is grant-funded. Opportunities to extend the role are dependent upon funding.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Farm Maintenance

• Tend to crops from seeding to harvesting by:
  • Overseeing the seeding, transplanting, and harvesting schedule
  • Training and pruning vine crops
  • Implementing pest controls
  • Keeping the farm clean and orderly
• Ensure the health of the farm’s crops by:
  • Maintaining the nutrient solution in each hydroponic system, utilizing advanced monitoring technology
  • Cleaning & sanitizing each hydroponic system
  • Cleaning the farm as a whole
• Collect and report the following necessary farm data using TFFJ’s Farm Dashboard system:
  • Harvest data from each batch of crops
  • Nutrient data from each reservoir
  • Environmental data from in-farm sensors
• Manage the produce supply chain to the cafeteria, events, and recurring community food distributions
• Perform troubleshooting as well as basic maintenance on TFFJ’s growing systems.

Program Support

• Support daily STEM classes that utilize the farm and engage students in weekly sessions of our afterschool food justice program
• Brainstorm ways for students to take ownership of, and connect with, the curricular day and afterschool content presented
• Serve as a TFFJ representative within our partner school community

Required Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Able to multitask and manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proficient in MS Excel and able to learn and manage data tracking software; comfortable using a Windows PC for email, data entry, and calendars
• Able to work independently but also collaborate productively with team members
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Able to climb ladders/rolling staircases

Desired Qualifications

• Commitment to social justice
• Interest or experience in farming, urban agriculture, community health, or youth development
• The desire to work with youth (pre-teens)
• High energy and positive outlook

To apply:

• Interested candidates should fill out an application via this Airtable form.

TFFJ embraces inclusivity and wants our employees to be as diverse and multifaceted as the communities in which we operate. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture but also our reputation and the organization's achievements.

TFFJ’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and diversity applies to all aspects of employment: recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; and terminations. TFFJ does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, sex/gender (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, unemployed status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.