Garden Coordinator - Harpswell Community Garden

Start Date: February 19, 2025 | End Date: August 18, 2025
County: Cumberland County
Job Type: Other, Parks & Recreation
More Information: Click here

Harpswell Community Garden at Mitchell Field offers organic gardening space for residents, and through our Common Garden, we grow organic produce for donation in the community. We are hiring a
passionate and skilled person to handle garden operations and engage with our gardening community.
Working closely with our Committee, the duties of this part-time year-round position include:

Garden Maintenance

• Tend the Common Garden and community areas, including weeding, maintaining common beds, and path restoration.
• Participate in maintaining our common areas, water/irrigation system, and garden equipment.

Gardener Engagement

• Engage with gardeners to help build a community; serve as a key liaison between gardeners and the Committee.
• Support rental plot promotion, signup, and onboarding, helping to fill all rental plots each season.
• Support the Committee’s communications with gardeners and the community, helping enhance gardener involvement, confidence and overall experience.
• Coordinate activities and efforts during volunteer workdays, including helping gardeners use their skills and interests to fulfill their required minimum service hours.
• Support community engagement efforts, such as Nature Day Camp visits.

Implement the HCG’s Annual Plan

• Participate in Committee meetings to learn about and contribute to our efforts and plans.
• Take ownership of specific efforts defined in our annual operating plan, working with the Committee to identify action plans and additional opportunities.
• Specific areas of focus will depend on the candidate’s expertise, annual priorities, and needs identified based on our gardeners, weather, and other factors.

Qualifications

Familiarity with the basics of vegetable gardening. Belief in the value of community gardening and our work in hunger prevention. Strong interpersonal communication skills, including
empathy, active listening, feedback, and motivation. Ability to carry out at-garden tasks, including weeding, lifting, bending, shoveling, and working in all weather. The candidate must have reliable
transportation to Mitchell Field and be able to participate in video meetings.

Hours

The position requires 6-8 hours per week during the gardening season and 1-2 hours per week from Fall until early Spring. In-season, this is an in-person position at Mitchell Field. We expect the
position to cycle days and hours each week to maximize interaction with our gardeners. Off-season, all work can be performed remotely.

Pay

$22/hour, which may range based on skills and capabilities.

To Apply

Application forms are available at www.harpswell.maine.gov or at the Town Office, 263 Mountain Rd., Harpswell. Submit completed applications in person or by email to Katie Neal, Recreation &
Community Services Director, Town of Harpswell, [email protected]

The position will remain open until filled; our desired start date is April 15.