West  Side  Neighborhood  Program  Director  Job  Description  

 
Job  Title:      West  Side  Program  Director       Location:  West  Side  of  St.  Paul  
 
Type:    Full  Time,  Salary  position         Deadline:  March  4th,  5:00  p.m.  
 
 
MISSION:   GROWING  FOOD  TO  DEVELOP  YOUTH  
   
Youth  Farm  and  Market  Project  (YFMP)  provides  year-­‐round,  youth  development  programming  for  youths  ages  9  –  18,  
utilizing  experiential  education  and  training,  urban  agriculture,  gardens  and  greenhouses.  We  build  youth  leadership  
through   planting,   growing,   preparing,   and   selling   food.   Youth   Farm   and   Market   Project   currently   works   in   3  
neighborhoods  in  the  Twin  Cities,  Lyndale  and  Powderhorn  in  Minneapolis,  and  the  West  Side  of  St.  Paul.  
 
YFMP  employs  a  unique  progressive  programming  model,  where  the  outcomes  of  each  program,  Youth  Farmers  (ages  
9-­‐11),  All-­‐Stars  (ages  12-­‐13)  and  Project  LEAD  (ages  14-­‐18),  building  upon  the  outcomes  of  the  previous  set.    Our  goals  
are  consistent  through  each  program:    
1) Build  Young  Leaders;  
2) Promote  Healthy  Bodies  and  Minds;  
3) Contribute  to  the  Positive  Identity  of  Children  and  Youth;  
4) Create  Neighborhood  Connectedness  and  Opportunities  for  Contribution;  and  
5) Develop  &  Nurture  Healthy  Relationships.  
 
YFMP  Philosophy  
We   believe   strong   youth   make   strong   communities   –   Youth   are   responsible   and   essential   members   of   the   larger  
community  and  of  YFMP  as  an  organization.    
 
We  value  and  honor  the  diversity  within  our  communities  –  We  work  to  create  diverse  spaces  that  honor  and  value  all  
who  are  present  within  our  communities.      
                       
Building   connections   is   foundational   to   our   work   –   Connections   between   young   people   and   their   peers;   youth   and  
caring  adults;  youth  and  food;  youth  and  community;  youth  and  the  earth.    
 
We   believe   in   long   term   relationships   –   Relationships   with   youth   and   their   families   over   time   is   the   foundation   for  
quality  and  impactful  youth  development.  
 
We   value   a   sustainable   approach   to   life   and   food   –   By   engaging   youth   in   physical   activity,   as   well   as   the   growing,  
distributing  and  eating  of  healthy  local  produce,  we  model  a  holistic  approach  to  self  and  community.  
 
We   believe   in   local   empowerment   –   Our   locally   focused   work   creates   stronger   communities   and   builds   engaged  
citizens.  We  support  and  partner  with  local  businesses,  grow  local  leaders,  and  provide  local  food.    
 
The  Neighborhood  Program  Director  reports  to  the  Associate  Director  and  is  responsible  for  the  implementation  of  
Youth  Farm  and  Market  Project  programs  that  accomplish  our  goals  while  embracing  our  philosophy.  
 
Neighborhood  Program  Development,  Management  and  Implementation  (60%)  
• Design  8-­‐week  summer  program  and  three  8-­‐week  school  year  programs  (one  in  fall,  two  in  winter/spring)  to  
provide  experiences  for  youth  to  fulfill  the  mission  and  goals  of  the  organization  
 • Responsible  for  implementation  of  YFMP’s  Youth  Development  curriculum  (garden,  nutrition,  youth  
organizing,  youth  leadership,  and  social  development)  for  Youth  Farmers  (9-­‐11  year  olds),  All-­‐Stars  (12-­‐13  year  
olds)  and  Project  LEAD  (14-­‐18  year  olds)  
• Hire,  train  and  supervise  summer  staff,  Project  LEAD,  and  interns  
• Manage  program  budget  
• Develop  and  execute  quarterly  work  plans  that  will  be  evaluated  with  the  Associate  Director  
• Farm  and  Food  Distribution,  including:  
o Connect  with  neighborhood/community  to  provide  land  for  YFMP  farms,  sites  for  markets,  and  
community  farming  experiences  for  kids  
o Work  with  kids,  other  YFMP  staff  and  community  members  to  plan,  cultivate,  maintain,  and  harvest  
urban  farms  and  ensure  kids  know  how  to  do  a  variety  of  farm  tasks  and  gain  other  outcomes  we  
want  
o Work  with  kids  and  community  members  to  distribute  produce  specific  to  Neighborhood  needs  and  
opportunities  and  ensure  youths  participation  and  ownership  
 
Community  Organizing  and  Involvement  (25%)  
• Empower  youth  through  allowing  them  active  and  meaningful  participation  in  program  development  and  
implementation  
• Participate  in  neighborhood  and  community  events  to  connect  with  community  members  and  partners  
• Utilize  volunteers  to  accomplish  goals  of  the  organization  and  build  community  
• Connect  with  community  food  systems  to  ensure  kids  understand  a  healthy  food  system  
• Work  with  youth  to  impact  community  in  a  positive  way.  
 
Organizational  Support  (15%)  
• Work  with  kids,  staff,  and  community  members  to  evaluate  programs  and  incorporate  results  into  future  
programs.  
• Coordinate  the  integration  of  programming  with  grant  proposals,  reporting  and  funding  requirements  as  
requested  by  the  Executive  Director  
• Assist  the  Executive  Director  with  grants,  reports  and  site  visits  as  necessary  
• Work  with  Associate  Director  and  other  Program  Directors  to  develop  and  refine  overall  program  vision  for  
YFMP  
 
Qualifications:  Several  years  of  direct  youth  work  experience  required,  experience  working  with  diverse  
populations,  experience  hiring  and  managing  staff,  as  well  as  experience  with  community  organizing.  Prior  
experience  with  program  planning,  implementation,  as  well  as  program  management  strongly  encouraged.  
Candidates  should  have  strong  organization  skills,  communication  skills,  and  be  competent  in  general  word  
processing  and  computer  skills.  Some  proficiency  in  Spanish  preferred.  Valid  drivers  license  required.  
 
How  to  Apply  
To  apply  please  send  cover  letter  and  resume  (highlighting  experience  with  above  qualifications)  by  email  to  
info@youthfarm.net;  or  mail  to  Hiring  Committee,  Youth  Farm  and  Market  Project,  128  W.  33rd  Street,  Suite  2,  
Minneapolis,  MN  55408,  no  later  than  Friday  March  4th,  5:00  p.m.;  Members  of  under-­‐represented  groups,  as  
well  as  people  with  connections,  experience  or  knowledge  of  the  West  Side  of  St.  Paul,  are  strongly  encouraged  
to  apply.  AA/EOE.