Genesis Gardens Steward

Mobile Loaves & Fishes; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mobile Loaves & Fishes seeks a Program Lead for Genesis Gardens at Community First! Village in Austin to oversee volunteer coordination, garden activities, and partnerships.

The role focuses on creating welcoming spaces, building relationships with neighbors and volunteers, and driving the program forward with initiative and leadership. The position requires hands-on gardening experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating people, schedules and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead, motivate and manage a diverse team of volunteers and contractors.
• Strong communication and de-escalation skills with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Host and coordinate volunteers and neighbor contractors, ensuring a welcoming environment.
• Recruit, orient, and supervise neighbor contractors on daily activities.
• Design volunteer activities accessible to all ages and abilities.
• Oversee seasonal planting, garden maintenance, and farmer’s market operations.
• Coordinate purchasing, contracts, and policy development for the garden.

Skills

People coordination

Schedule coordination

Project coordination

Relationship building

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

PMP Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Asana

Job description

Program Lead – Genesis Gardens

The Mobile Loaves & Fishes Genesis Gardens program exists at Community First! Village to cultivate connection in a beautiful and hospitable environment by inviting all to the banquet table, serving opportunities for engagement, dignity, and good food. The Program Lead position in Genesis Gardens is a key member of the team responsible for hosting large numbers of volunteers and neighbors who work together to cultivate and care for the gardens and host the weekly farmer’s market.

The right candidate is a hospitable, creative, and adaptable team player who takes initiative, loves supporting others, and is energized by building meaningful relationships with the neighbors and volunteers who work and serve in Genesis Gardens.

This is a non‑exempt position reporting to the Sr. Programs Manager. Due to the nature and requirements of the position, hours are typically 7 am‑4 pm Tuesday‑Saturday. Some nights and weekends may be required. The Program Lead will office at Community First! Village located at 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain a hospitable presence where volunteers and neighbor contractors feel welcomed and valued.
• Welcome volunteers, providing a clear overview of the program, its purpose, and the volunteer shift structure.
• Recruit, orient, and lead neighbor contractors, serving as their primary day‑to‑day supervisor.
• Design and lead volunteer activities accessible to all ages and abilities.
• Connect with volunteers during their shift to foster meaningful connections with contractors, and ensure they are having a meaningful experience.
• Train neighbor contractors, volunteers, and staff on safe food handling and tools safety policies.
• Monitor the team’s performance and find ways to optimize their efficiency.
• Build lasting relationships with volunteers and neighbor contractors that inspire them to return to working in the garden.
• Collaborate with our Volunteer Team to ensure volunteers have a meaningful experience and are inspired to continue engaging with our community.
• Maintain a space that inspires abundance, connects people heart‑to‑heart, and transforms stereotypes about homelessness.
• Coordinate the seasonal planting for the vegetable garden, fruiting trees, vines, and greenhouse.
• Oversee quality control and record keeping for the farmer’s market.
• Manage the proper care of garden animals including chickens, guardian dogs, and barn cat.
• Lead space repurposing initiatives to optimize the use of garden resources and infrastructure.
• Drive Genesis Gardens forward as a model program in the Community First! Village.
• Own the purchasing process from planning to submission.
• Submit support and work order forms when equipment, infrastructure, or resources are not functioning.
• Coordinate contract signing for contractors working in the garden.
• Own the creation and maintenance of all policies and procedures specific to the garden.
• Identify and coordinate opportunities to establish external partnerships that support the Genesis Gardens program.
• Represent Genesis Gardens and MLF in outward facing presentations and relationship building.
• Collaborate with the MLF Team to fulfill the program goals and create new opportunities within Genesis Gardens.
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Principles

• Committed to serving those who have experienced homelessness and have a personal alignment with MLF’s vision, mission, core values, and goals.
• Creative in designing welcoming spaces where volunteers and contractors connect and grow.
• Takes ownership and strives for excellence.
• Adaptable to perform in a fast‑paced, high‑interruption environment.
• Fast learner who takes initiative to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform in a garden role.
• Highly skilled in relationship building with diverse populations.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team.
• Emotionally intelligent and able to navigate the natural dynamics of a diverse and vibrant community.
• Able to articulate how the program supports the vision of MLF.

What You Know

• 4+ years of experience in coordinating people, schedules, and projects.
• Demonstrated experience in gardening, landscaping, hospitality, nonprofits, or related fields is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree and PMP Certification are a plus.
• Have a driver’s license.

How You Work

• Proactive problem‑solver who can troubleshoot across plants, equipment, animals, and people.
• Manages projects and people (neighbor contractors, volunteers) in a changing and fast‑paced environment and anticipates future needs, even when limited information and resources are available.
• Skilled at teaching others and giving guidance.
• Strong and effective communicator with conflict management and de‑escalation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Ability to remain poised under pressure.
• Self‑motivated team player who takes ownership of projects and collaborates with others.
• Skilled with emails and spreadsheets for communication and record‑keeping.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Asana preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to frequently lift, move, and transport up to 50 lbs throughout the day.
• Ability to move about all phases of Community First! Village properties freely and comfortably.
• Must wear attire that is presentable but suitable for messy, outdoor, hands‑on work; close‑toed shoes required for safety.
• Ability to learn how to operate a golf cart, ATV, and heavy machinery.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MLF is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen based on ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in accordance with federal and state law.