New York Botanical Garden Careers

Title:

CHARD Apprentice

Reports To:

Coordinator of Urban Agriculture Projects

Position Summary

Karol’s Urban Community Farm is a 1.3-acre urban farm located in the New York City Housing Authority's Castle Hill Houses. Founded in 2022, the farm now serves as a local space for gathering, learning, and growing food. In 2023, over 2,000 lbs. of fresh produce were grown and distributed from space, and dozens of community members joined for harvest days, volunteer workdays, and community events. The farm is currently stewarded by NYBG’s Bronx Green-Up, in partnership with the New York City Housing Authority’s Farms and Gardens Program and Castle Hill Houses Residents Association, with the support of Castle Hill community members and volunteers.

The Karol’s Urban Community Farm CHARD (Castle Hill Agricultural Resident Development) Program is designed to support young residents of the Castle Hill Houses as they explore the agricultural field and related career options.

CHARD Apprentices will report to the Coordinator of Urban Agriculture Projects for Bronx Green-Up.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• CHARD Apprentices will be responsible for supporting Bronx Green-Up staff in facilitating the weekly free produce distribution; leading community workdays and events; and performing general farm care (such as weeding, seeding, transplanting, watering, and performing pest management and basic carpentry).
• CHARD Apprentices may also be asked to support projects related to community outreach, such as tabling at the Castle Hill Community Center; distributing outreach materials; and creating flyers and signs.
• CHARD Apprentices are also encouraged to suggest and work with Bronx Green-Up staff to create their own independent projects, and will be invited to participate in job readiness training and career-related skill-building as schedules permit.

Qualifications

• Reside in the Castle Hill Houses (preferred) or other NYCHA Development
• Have an active interest in developing skills in urban agriculture, community leadership, and environmental education
• Have experience volunteering or working at Karol’s Urban Community Farm (preferred)

Physical Demand & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to, at minimum, work outdoors in all weather conditions, stand, sit, crouch, kneel, and walk, use hand tools and power equipment, and lift and\or move up to 25 pounds. The employee is required to perform tasks repetitively.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Schedule

• This is a temporary, part-time role lasting 5.5 weeks (4 hours per week).
  • The schedule will be Wednesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays from 10AM to 12 PM, with an anticipated start date of May 13 and an end date of June 19.

Rate

• $18 Per Hour

If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at [email protected]