Compost Coordinator

Organization Information

GrowNYC is a 53-year-old environmental nonprofit organization helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. GrowNYC Programs include:

• Our network of Greenmarkets, Farmstands, Fresh Food Box sites, and the work of GrowNYC Wholesale ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food.
• We blanket the five boroughs with resources like food scrap and clothing collections to make waste reduction, recycling, and composting easy for all.
• We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants and more.
• We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment.

Note to applicants on COVID safety: GrowNYC is committed to stopping the spread of Covid-19. All new hires are encouraged to take the COVID vaccine (as defined by the CDC) and we ask to submit proof to our HR department within 30 days of hire. Employees may be required to follow COVID safety protocols as the situation evolves, which may include daily health screenings, mask wearing, and other mitigation measures as deemed necessary by local conditions, mandates, and applicable guidelines.

$250 signing bonus for new hourly hires. New hires will receive the signing bonus after 60 days of active employment. Terms and conditions apply.

About GrowNYC Compost Program

Established in 2011, the GrowNYC Compost Program strives to make composting second nature for all New Yorkers by operating residential Food Scrap Drop-Off sites (FSDOs) and partnering with compost processing facilities to divert food scraps from landfills and make compost locally.

Compost Coordinator (Part-Time)

Compost Coordinators are responsible for collecting food scraps and conducting outreach each week at their assigned FSDOs. They promote food-scrap diversion for composting as an alternative to conventional waste disposal and educate NYC residents on a wide variety of waste reduction and landfill diversion topics.

Requirements

Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to):

• Arrive at food scrap drop-off site thirty minutes before open hours begin to receive supply delivery
• Set up and prepare food scrap collection bins and promotional materials
• Collect food scraps from residents during open hours
• Conduct local outreach and contribute to GrowNYC social media to promote food scrap composting to the general public
• Record information during collection hours and submit electronic reports on time
• Understand what can and cannot be composted and communicate that knowledge with participants
• Answer a range of questions about waste reduction, composting, recycling, and GrowNYC programs
• Promote and answer questions regarding DSNY Zero Waste initiatives
• Work with partners, participants, and stakeholders (e.g. Greenmarket staff, DOT staff, NYPD, schools, community gardens, local non-profits, merchants, construction personnel, etc.)
• Attend regular staff meetings
• Keep up to date with Compost program and GrowNYC-wide communications
• Follow and enforce current City, State, Federal, and GrowNYC-mandated safety measures
• Represent GrowNYC

Physical Requirements:

• Work outdoors, year-round, sometimes in extreme temperatures, and in a potentially noisy environment
• Stand for lengthy periods of time (between 4-9 hours/day)
• Ability to lift heavy bins and supplies, up to 50 pounds

Qualifications:

• Early-riser who enjoys working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Passionate about composting, recycling, and waste reduction
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Experience in community outreach and/or education
• Comfortable communicating and working with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, including trans* and nonbinary, sexual orientation, class, and religion
• Experience interacting with the public and handling opposing viewpoints with a calm demeanor
• Takes initiative and excels at both independent and partnered work
• Creative problem-solver, able to troubleshoot and make quick, often on-the spot decisions
• Familiarity with and dedication to working in diverse NYC neighborhoods
• Interest in food waste and/or related issues – food systems, waste reduction, urban planning, pollution, environmental justice, environmental stewardship, gardening, farming, etc.
• Spanish language skills highly desirable

Position Details:

Schedule

This is a part-time position. Regular weekly shifts ranging from 3.5-6 hours/shift, with weekly schedule ranging from minimum 3.5 hours/week up to 20 hours/week. Availability on Friday and Saturday highly desirable.

Location

Fieldwork at FSDOs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens depending on commute and availability.

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt variable hourly position funded through June 30, 2024. It pays $20 per hour and includes only statutory benefits. This position is union eligible. 

Applications

Apply for the Compost Coordinator part-time position with a resume. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of employment applications received, GrowNYC is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. No phone calls or recruiters, please. 

Contact

GrowNYC 

P.O. Box 2327

New York, NY 10272

212-788-7900

For additional information, please see our website: grownyc.org

GrowNYC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or ability.