Position:   Urban Garden Program Coordinator (FT/hourly, non-exempt, seasonal)

Site: Coverdale Farm Preserve

Date: March – November 2025

Mission

Connecting people and nature to create a healthy environment for all through education, conservation and advocacy.

Founded in 1964, the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) is a state-wide, non-profit organization that aspires to be inclusive and multicultural, celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity. DelNature delivers hands-on environmental education programming at four sites and throughout the region, in New Castle & Sussex Counties: (New Castle) Ashland Nature Center (HQ), in Hockessin, DE; DuPont Environmental Education Center, in Wilmington, DE; Coverdale Farm Preserve, in Greenville, DE; (Sussex) Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in Milford, DE. We also manage over 2,000 acres of land including four nature preserves.

 DelNature is a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. We envision Delaware as a place where people view themselves as part of nature and understand that nature is essential for life; recognize the immediacy of addressing environmental issues; and take pride and joy in caring for the natural world.

Position Summary

The Urban Garden Program Coordinator (UGPC) works in partnership with the Habitat Outreach Manager & Coverdale Site Director/Farm Manager to advance the work of the Wilmington Pollinator Corridor & Food Resilience Project.  This position inspires and empowers community gardeners through hands-on education, outreach, technical support, and engagement activities centered around native plant gardening and food farming.  The UGPC designs and teaches programs, develops educational resources, builds strong community garden-based relationships, and furthers the expansion of high-quality, regenerative green spaces in Wilmington, Delaware. 

The Urban Garden Program Coordinator reports to: Site Director/Farm Manager, Coverdale Farm Preserve

Responsibilities

• Develops educational materials and resources for workshops, events, and related community engagement activities.
• Provides community outreach services through teaching workshops and programs, supporting events and community garden activities, offering technical support to individual gardens.
• Builds meaningful relationships with partner gardens through consistent communication, regular garden site visits, and employing program evaluation & adaptive management strategies.
• Supports Habitat Outreach Manager & CFP Site Director/Farm Manager in project related tasks as needed,
• Participates in field work at Coverdale Farm Preserve’s Vegetable Production enterprise & Native Gardening projects with the Conservation Department.
• Participate and support organization wide events and programs.
• Promote & support DelNature’s mission, values, goals, activities, and membership to a wide array of program audiences.

Work Schedule

This is a seasonal full-time non-exempt hourly position with a schedule of 30 to 40 hours each week.  The position is primarily M-F, requiring flexibility to the demands of the growing season, in addition to evening and/or weekend meetings and/or events is required.  

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and be able to carry, move and set up necessary supplies and equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Ability to work in a variety of indoor and/or outdoor settings, weather, and terrains.

Salary and Compensation (full-time/hourly, non-exempt, seasonal)

$16 - $18/hour based upon experience.   Limited on-site housing, as availability permits.       

Qualifications

• Passion for enhancing urban food/conservation spaces and empowering the communities they impact.
• Post high school work in relevant or related field preferred.
• At least 2 years’ experience teaching in either the formal or informal setting.
• Familiarity with general eco-friendly gardening practices.
• Ability to translate technical information into approachable information and usable skills.
• Highly organized, able to balance multiple projects and priorities, exceptional project, and time management.
• Excellent public relations and communication skills with ease and enthusiasm for talking to diverse individuals of all ages.
• Professional maturity and positive interpersonal skills with a friendly attitude.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work a schedule that meets the needs of the site or program.
• Punctuality, dependability, effective communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to consistently interact in a positive and professional manner.
• Willingness to learn new skills and share knowledge with others.
• Demonstrated ability of problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making.
• Perform additional duties at the request of supervisor, site manager or leadership team member.
• Reliable transportation. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY – Delaware Nature Society considers candidates for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, genetic information, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or other protected classification and in accordance with applicable federal, state & local laws.