Master Gardener Program Lead

The Pennsylvania State University; Upper Darby (Delaware County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University in Delaware County seeks a Master Gardener Coordinator to lead the Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer program. You will recruit, train and manage MG volunteers, deliver research-based horticulture education to county residents, and coordinate outreach with partners and schools.

This role requires strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a commitment to community education.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage volunteers.
• Strong organizational and communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Penn State Extension Master Gardener spokesperson for Delaware County.
• Communicate with partners, county leadership, researchers, staff and volunteers to deliver education to the public.
• Be available consistently at the Extension Office for volunteer support and guidance and to answer inquiries about the Master Gardener program.
• Engage community members as appropriate to promote Extension, the Master Gardener Program and Penn State.
• Manage the efforts of the Master Gardener volunteers to develop and deliver high-quality, research-based educational programming to the public; evaluate and report Master Gardener outreach activities.
• Identify opportunities and educational needs of consumers and stakeholders in the county.
• Empower, organize, and lead Master Gardener volunteers to educate county residents about horticultural and environmental issues through community outreach projects.
• Ensure volunteer compliance with the Master Gardener Policy Statement.
• Train Master Gardeners to evaluate homeowner growing practices and solve cultural/maintenance problems through education.
• Manage the Garden Hotline, staffed by Master Gardener volunteers to answer homeowner questions on pest problems and general home gardening questions utilizing researched-based information.
• Train Master Gardener Volunteers to educate the public on the identification, life cycle, current distribution, host range, phenology and management of invasive species identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council, utilizing the latest science-based information available.
• Identify youth program opportunities within the county and engage with community partners, 4-H, schools, and local organizations to deliver youth programming.
• Coordinate business/program development meetings for all county Master Gardener volunteers.
• Organize continuing education opportunities for Master Gardener volunteers.

Skills

Volunteer management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Pennsylvania State University in Delaware County seeks a Master Gardener Coordinator to lead the Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer program. You will recruit, train and manage MG volunteers, deliver research-based horticulture education to county residents, and coordinate outreach with partners and schools.

This role requires strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a commitment to community education.