Garden of Eatin Manager

Garden of Eatin' Manager NBCC North Bay Children's Center 932 C Street Novato, CA 94949 United States 4154754068 Category Education Irrigation Management Operations Industry Landscape Manages Others Yes Experience Required Yes Pay From $85,000 To $95,000 Per Year Employment Type Employee Work Schedule Full-Time Travel Some Travel Job Description

About North Bay Children's Center:

North Bay Children's Center (NBCC) is a nonprofit educational organization with more than 40 years of dedicated service to children and families in the North Bay region. NBCC's Garden of Eatin' (GOE) program is a cornerstone of this mission, bringing living-curriculum garden, nutrition and nature education to sites across Marin and Sonoma Counties. The GOE program engages children, families, and educators through hands-on garden and nature programs to develop healthy bodies, curious minds and caring stewards.

Position Summary:

The Garden of Eatin' Manager (GOEM) is a dynamic, blended leadership role that combines hands-on horticultural expertise with people management, program oversight, administrative responsibility, and creative vision. Under the direction of the GOE Director, the GOEM is the operational hub of the GOE program—managing a team of four garden staff, overseeing multiple active garden sites across Marin and Sonoma Counties, and ensuring the consistent, high-quality implementation of NBCC's Living Curriculum across the organization. The ideal GOEM is an experienced, self-directed leader who is equally comfortable in the garden and at a desk, who leads with clarity and warmth, communicates proactively across a dispersed team, and brings both practical gardening knowledge and thoughtful program judgment to every aspect of the role. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & People Management Directly manage, support, schedule, and evaluate a team of four Gardeners and GOE Program Trainers across multiple sites in Marin and Sonoma Counties Provide consistent structure, clear expectations, and regular feedback to foster a high-functioning, motivated team Lead onboarding, training, mentoring, and ongoing professional development for all direct reports Participate actively in the hiring process for garden staff Facilitate regular team check-ins and maintain open, effective communication across a geographically dispersed team Model NBCC's values of respect, inclusivity, and professionalism in all team interactions Garden Operations & Site Management Oversee the care and management of seasonal garden sites across NBCC's Marin and Sonoma County locations Ensure consistency in garden standards, aesthetics, and productivity across all sites, including greenhouse operations Providing hands-on support for garden skills training Apply thorough knowledge of plants, pests, disease management, soil health, irrigation systems, and sustainable growing practices Ensure all garden environments meet NBCC safety and licensing requirement GOE Program Implementation Oversee and support the GOE team's implementation of the GOE Living Curriculum (LC) across all NBCC sites Train, mentor, and monitor garden staff for both garden upkeep quality and GOE program fidelity Collaborate with the GOE Director to develop, refine, and update Living Curriculum content Facilitate year-round teaching and tasting garden aligned to GOE curriculum Continuously evaluate program implementation and support ongoing quality improvement Administrative & Budget Management Manage the GOE program budget in coordination with the GOE Director, tracking expenditures and staying within annual projections Prepare and maintain accurate program reports, documentation, schedules, and records accessible to NBCC staff Manage staff schedules and travel logistics across two counties Use Microsoft 365 Suite and related technology tools proficiently for communication, documentation, and planning Adhere to all NBCC policies, procedures, and compliance requirements Communication & Organizational Engagement Serve as a key communication link with garden staff Attend and contribute meaningfully to GOE Team planning meetings and relevant NBCC staff meetings Attend, help organize and present/co-present at NBCC Staff Development Days; August & March Collaborate on GOE's participation in NBCC's annual Night in Tuscany fundraising event Present or help with workshops, conferences, and community events (including occasional evenings and Saturdays) Child Interaction & Equity Recognize and honor each child's cultural, ethnic, and individual identity in all garden interactions Practice positive reinforcement and redirection; uphold NBCC's policies prohibiting corporal punishment, humiliation, or mental abuse Professional Development Engage in regular self-evaluation and goal-setting in coordination with the GOE Director Pursue ongoing professional development. Participate in workshops, conferences, and training opportunities to strengthen expertise and leadership Job Requirements Required Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on gardening, landscaping, permaculture, or related experience, 1-3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including scheduling, training, and performance support, Strong working knowledge of edible gardening, California-native plants, composting, soil health, and pest and disease management, Knowledge of irrigation systems; experience with greywater or rainwater collection a plus Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to manage a geographically dispersed team across two counties with minimal day-to-day supervision, demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations with cultural humility and respect. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and comfortable with technology. Must be able to travel regularly between Marin and Sonoma County sites