Community Impact Associate

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (shccbg); New York (NY); On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation/holiday schedule

Cultural Institutions Retirement System pension plan

Job summary

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in New York is seeking a Community Impact Associate to support programs and engage with visitors. This role requires physical stamina in various weather conditions, interacting positively with the community while ensuring safe operations during activities.

The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a team. The position offers an hourly rate of $17.00 and a part-time schedule that includes weekend work based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and facilitation skills with learners of all ages and backgrounds.
• Able to adapt to shifting priorities and locations based on daily schedules.
• Experience working outdoors in physically demanding conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support the safe delivery of programs, events, tours, and activities.
• Interact positively and professionally with visitors.
• Follow all workplace safety protocols.

Skills

Communication skills

Facilitation skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Physical endurance

Job description

Snug Harbor is an expansive cultural park on Staten Island where arts, nature, education, and history converge to offer dynamic programming, events, and festivals to our diverse community. Located less than 1.5 miles from the Staten Island Ferry and easily accessible by public transportation, Snug Harbor welcomes nearly 500,000 visitors each year. Visitors can explore multiple museums, performances, festivals, a farm, and 83 acres of gardens, parkland, woodland, and wetlands.

Founded in 1976 as a nonprofit organization, Snug Harbor is one of the largest adaptive reuse projects in America, transforming a 19th-century charitable rest home for sailors into a vibrant hub of contemporary culture and community connection. Today, Snug Harbor’s mission is dedicated to creating a vibrant culture park in Staten Island offering arts, nature, history, education, and events for all.

THE POSITION

The Community Impact Associate supports programs, workforce development, and engagement initiatives across Snug Harbor’s campus. Reporting to the Community Outreach Manager, this role works directly with visitors, interns, volunteers, and program participants to deliver welcoming, inclusive, and well‑organized experiences. The Community Impact Associate contributes to daily program delivery, supports site operations as needed, and models professional conduct, safety, and teamwork in a dynamic, public environment.

THIS is a highly physical role, standing, bending, crouching, pulling, pushing, and using tools in all weather conditions (ie, rain and extreme heat) while following safety protocols and maintaining an efficient pace, working with volunteers and interns. The Community Impact Associate reports to the Community Outreach Manager, working closely with the full Community Impact team. This position is not FLSA‑exempt. This job description is not designed to cover every job requirement. All field‑based staff are expected to be available and support one another during peak seasons, events, weather‑related needs, and cross‑department initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations & Fieldwork

• Support the safe delivery of programs, events, tours, and service‑learning activities indoor and outdoor.
• Assist with setup, breakdown, and site readiness for public‑facing activities.
• Maintain orderly, functional program spaces that support safety and participant engagement.
• Support and lead volunteer days, workforce development projects, and community programs.

Community Engagement

• Serve as a welcoming, knowledgeable, and professional representative of Snug Harbor.
• Interact positively and professionally with visitors, answering basic questions or directing inquiries appropriately. Foster positive relationships with participants, educators, partners, and patrons that encourage connection.
• Support inclusive, engaging experiences for participants of varying ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Communicate Snug Harbor’s mission, values, and goals through all interactions.

Ensure patrons feel supported, informed, and respected during programs and events

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all workplace safety protocols, site rules, and internal procedures.
• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate for assigned tasks.
• Monitor program spaces and activities for potential safety concerns.
• Report hazards, incidents, or participant concerns promptly to a supervisor.

Training & Workforce Development

• Model professional behavior, reliability, and safe work practices for interns, volunteers, and patrons.
• Support the supervision, ordering, and pacing of activities involving interns or volunteer assistants during programs.
• Supervise interns and volunteer groups during service activities, maintaining expectations related to attendance, conduct, and task completion.
• Contribute to a learning‑focused environment that supports skill‑building and work readiness.

Coordination & Reporting

• Communicate clearly and consistently with supervisors regarding schedules, needs, and challenges.
• Track hours worked, tasks completed, and participation data as required.
• Participate in briefings or check‑ins to align on program goals, logistics, and daily responsibilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This role involves active, physical, public‑facing work in indoor and outdoor environments. Duties may include standing for extended periods, walking the campus, lifting light to moderate materials, and adapting to varying weather conditions. Evening, weekend, or holiday hours may be required depending on program schedules.

REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to learning Snug Harbor’s programs, focused on environmental education, art‑making, history, and culture.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills with learners of all ages and backgrounds.
• Commitment to inclusion, equity, and community‑centered education.
• Able to adapt to shifting priorities and locations based on daily schedules, weather, and site needs.
• Experience working outdoors enthusiastically with physically demanding work for extended periods of time in all weather conditions (including rain and extreme heat) while maintaining a fast and efficient pace.
• Able to regularly lift 50 lbs. and stand, squat, kneel, and bend for extended periods in all conditions.
• Committed to actively engaging community members in Snug Harbor’s mission areas.
• Able to manage multiple tasks at once while managing time well.
• Able to learn and teach new tasks quickly and execute them immediately, including the use of tools.
• Able to follow all safety protocols.
• Exemplary communication skills and workplace professionalism, including appropriate work attire, positive attitude, timeliness, and adaptability.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.
• Enthusiastic and committed to being an active and flexible member of a small team.
• English facility required; Spanish facility preferred.

SALARY

The hourly rate is $17.00. This is a part‑time position. Weekend work will be required for this position. Shifts are dependent on weather and business needs. Snug Harbor offers a generous vacation/holiday schedule and participation in the Cultural Institutions Retirement System pension plan.

TO APPLY

Qualified candidates should complete the employee application form by visiting https://snug-harbor.org/jobapplication/. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Snug Harbor celebrates and commits to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value and seek the strengths of human variety across communities in programming, with staff, the Board of Directors, volunteers, artists, and visitors. Snug Harbor strives to build a culture of diversity of voice and representation, authentically inclusive spaces, and equity for all.

Snug Harbor is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to the treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay‑off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

For more information on SHCC, please visit, www.snug-harbor.org