Chapel Hill is one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, with diverse social, cultural, recreational and professional opportunities that extend across the campus and community.

North Carolina Botanical Garden (Nkbg) has been a leader in native plant conservation, horticulture, and education in the southeastern United States for more than 50 years. As part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, we advance the university’s tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service with our own mission to cultivate connections between plants, people, and place through science, engagement, and conservation. As a park focused on preserving the biodiversity of native plants in the Southeast, we recognize that just as biodiversity is critical to a healthy ecosystem, diversity in people and perspectives makes our organization and community stronger. Nkbg We are committed to creating an environment in our parks and natural areas where everyone’s voice is heard and everyone feels safe and welcome

The Community Gardens Program Director leads the Carolinas Community Garden and Edible Campus United Nations Commandtwo from the North Carolina Botanical Garden (Nkbg) Programs that promote sustainable agriculture, food access, and experiential learning. Reporting to the Director of Learning and Community Engagement, this role oversees operations, program development and administration, while furthering NCBG’s mission of connecting plants, people and place through science, engagement and conservation.

The program director oversees a full-time coordinator, a part-time assistant, interns, work-study students, and a large volunteer base. Primary responsibilities include managing organic production and distribution, coordinating volunteer days, developing and evaluating educational and community programs, and establishing partnerships across the globe. United Nations Command and the wider community, managing budgets and reporting, and supporting fundraising.

Technical knowledge and experience
* Strong working knowledge of organic gardening and sustainable agricultural practices, with hands-on experience in producing a variety of edible foods.
* Skilled in all aspects of garden operations, including creating and preparing beds, seeding, transplanting, weeding, pruning, harvesting, greenhouse propagation, composting, and irrigation system maintenance.
* Demonstrate the ability to design, build and maintain park infrastructure, signage and accessible features.
* Knowledgeable in sustainability principles, food systems, environmental and food justice issues, ensuring garden operations align with environmental and community goals.
* Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, etc.).

Leadership and management
* Experience recruiting, training, motivating and managing staff and volunteers.
* Strong team building skills with the ability to foster engagement, collaboration and accountability.
* Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain high standards of quality.
* Self-motivated, creative, detail-oriented and able to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions independently.

Interpersonal and communication skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong interpersonal skills with a helpful, friendly and professional approach when working with students, staff, volunteers and community partners.
* Adept at building positive relationships and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages participation and collaboration.

Additional requirements
*Willingness to work flexible hours, including regular weekends.
* A valid North Carolina driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
* CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within one month of hire.

* At least three years of relevant experience in organic gardening and sustainable agriculture.
* Experience managing a community garden, school garden, or similar garden-based program.
* Experience developing and/or leading educational or community programs, especially in horticulture, environmental education, or food justice.
* Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a university environment, including with students and faculty, and within the overall mission and goals of the educational institution.
* Experience working with individuals and organizations across cultural, social, economic and organizational contexts.
* Demonstrated fundraising success, including writing grants, cultivating donors, and/or securing in-kind contributions.

This position is based in outdoor garden environments and requires regular use of standard gardening tools and equipment.
* Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity and cold with or without reasonable accommodations
* Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without a reasonable accommodation
* Must be able to bend, sit, kneel, stand, walk for extended periods, navigate uneven terrain, and move efficiently across park sites with or without reasonable accommodation
* Proficiency in the safe and proper use of standard gardening tools and equipment (e.g. shovels, hoses, pruning shears, wheelbarrows) with or without reasonable accommodations