Job Openings

Community Composting Program Associate (part-time, contractor)

Job Description

About Sunshine Community Compost: Sunshine Community Compost is a 501c3 non-profit organization focused on growing the local composting movement. We are working to increase awareness, education opportunities, and program services that grow community composting in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. We develop and deliver education and action programs, and volunteer opportunities. We focus on growing relationships, growing soil for a healthier local environment and local food, and meeting people where they are at in their learning curve related to their understanding and practice of composting. Our mission is to strengthen community connections and give back to the planet through accessible education and action programs that increase local composting, resource recovery, and zero waste efforts. While our current work is to develop composting infrastructure in our region, we also aim to host an education and demonstration center in future years where we can showcase the natural systems, food growing, and ecological design that can be created from the ground up - beginning with compost and healthy soil.

Working for Sunshine Community Compost: Sunshine Community Compost is always learning, growing, and evolving. There are many needs in our niche of work and we work hard to meet needs while also creating a culture of care. Team members must be willing to listen, learn, communicate effectively, respectfully, and reflectively while also being able to shift and co-create our work in and with the community. We strive to be an organization that supports the well-being of our team while recognizing the demands of cultivating, seeding, and growing a demanding start-up organization. Our board and our staff all actively participate in our equity guidance and development plan to evolve our organization’s equity, inclusion, and diversity work.

Location of Position: Remote, 80% in Sarasota County, 20% or less in Manatee County

Open until the position is filled with the right candidate.

To Apply: Applicants must submit a resume and letter of interest to info@sunshinecommunitycompost.org.

Successful candidates will need to supply proof of car insurance, have a clean driving record and will be subject to a background investigation that includes motor vehicle records.

Position Overview: The Community Compost Program Associate (CCPA) will assist the Executive Director in all operational aspects of our community composting food scrap drop-off program. This includes a range of tasks including administrative work, food scrap and community composting hub site management, program coordination, community education and outreach and partner relations. The CCPA will service existing and emerging food scrap drop-off sites located in city parks, in apartments and at select small businesses. The CCPA will interface with the public while in the community, frequently answering questions and sharing educational information about our programs during site visits. They will maintain optimal function, aesthetics, and cleanliness of each of our sites around the city of Sarasota (with potential for occasional site visits to Manatee) through maintenance, by processing community scale batches of compost at designated sites and recovering and transferring excess food scraps from each site to a local landscape company on a weekly basis.

Position Responsibilities:

Assist the E.D. in administrative and outreach tasks related to the program.
Ensure daily route is completed, tracking stops, mileage, impact numbers and tasks in work log.
Ensure the community compost program is operating in a timely and efficient manner.
Support customer relationships in the most optimal manner to retain and grow customer base.
Enter and submit program data reports on a monthly basis to the E.D.
Safely manage tools and materials and tilt, roll & transfer sealed 21-gallon bins of food scraps to and from our partner food scrap processor.
Manage a small number of onsite composting bins at each site according to community composter “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) and utilize basic principles of composting to facilitate that part of the daily workflow.
Wear closed toed leather or steel toe safety boots, glasses, gloves, face mask when making compost and as needed during direct contact service visits and sanitize hands between sites, while following procedures for safety related to personal injury and accident prevention.
Responsible for tracking data about program activities and impact numbers on a daily and weekly basis.
Responding in a timely manner to communications about their work and the program.
Manage a truck with attached 10 foot trailer when needed, for transporting food scrap bins to and from our partner composter.
Participate in offering education opportunities to the public by attending outreach events, community presentations, offering online and in-person classes.
Attend a weekly staff meeting and/or supervisor meeting on zoom or in person.

Qualifications:

Passion for our mission and community building in alignment with sustainability, regenerative agriculture, composting, youth, and community education, environmental or social justice, local food, climate change, waste reduction, and an understanding of the interconnections that tie together the health and wellness of humans with the health and wellness of the planet.
Self-motivated, high Integrity work ethic, proven examples of commitment to personal and community safety and excellence in customer service
Willingness to be flexible with tasks and assist the Executive Director with a wide range of program assistance needs while the program role and scope of work is expanding.
Ability to educate and engage patiently with the public during site maintenance and management, using effective and inclusive communication about the benefits of composting and how to get involved with SCC.
Interest in expanding our reach to new audiences, service areas and clientele by being an overall advocate of our work.
Ability to lift 40 pounds regularly using proper body mechanics.,
Be a team player who can offer and receive clear feedback on the operational flow of programs as they grow, making recommendations to improve systems, procedures, increase efficiency, save resources, and improve the employee’s experience.
Excellent communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
Attention to detail in project management while also learning and mastering new tasks, workflows, and programs quickly.
Availability to work on occasional evenings and weekends.

*This position requires staff to enter and interact within healthcare facilities where full vaccination status is required.

Salary: This position is a grant-funded contractor position for a minimum of 1-year starting at 15-20 hour per week with potential for growth based on program growth and/or available funding. There is a 3-month probationary period to begin with. Pay is $16.50/hr.

Benefits: Be part of a small team dedicated to positive change-making.

Access to abundant local craft compost

Up to $250 per year in reimbursement for related/pre-approved professional development and/or continuing education opportunities (after 3 months)

Up to $100 reimbursement for work boots and/or fieldwork clothing

Sunshine Community Compost provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We also work to expand the culture and reach of our organization and encourage folks from all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet all the preferred qualifications.

Bord Member Position

Board Member Position Description

The basic function of a nonprofit board member is to provide governance for the organization, represent it to the community and accept the ultimate legal authority for it.
Board members are responsible for the following duties:

Planning:
1. Participate in planning activities to establish a clear mission and goals for the organization.
2. Assess the environment, formulate a strategic plan in relation to it, and monitor the implementation of the plan.
3. Evaluate the success of the organization’s services toward achieving the mission.
4. Review and approve major policies.
5. Review and approve major actions of the organization, such as capital expenditures and major program and service changes.

Finance & Asset Protection:
1. Ensure financial accountability of the organization, including the performance of regular independent audits or financial control reviews.
2. Participate in the ongoing process of budget development, approval, and monitoring.
3. Provide support and direct assistance with the fundraising efforts of the organization.
4. Oversee the organization’s property and investments.

Human Resources:
1. Hire, support, and supervise the Executive Director.
2. Annually set goals for and evaluate the performance of the Executive Director.
3. Approve appropriate policies for the management of volunteers and staff, including those regarding compensation and benefits.

Compliance:
1. Ensure that the Board and its committees are adequately and currently informed - through reports and other methods - of the condition of the organization and its operations.
2. Ensure that published reports properly reflect the operating results and financial condition of the organization.
3. Ensure that the board has established appropriate policies to define and identify conflicts of interest throughout the organization, and is diligently administering and enforcing those policies.
4. Review compliance with contractual and legal requirements affecting the organization.

Community Relations:
1. Act as an ambassador for the organization in the community and vice-versa with a view to the larger interests of both.
2. Determine when the organization should take part in cooperative activities such as collaboration, etc.

Board Operations:
1. Review the makeup of the board to ensure representation of all appropriate constituencies and skills.
2. Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization.
3. Participate regularly in board training and development activities.
4. Recognize and nurture existing board members to grow and develop as leaders.
5. Review the performance of the Board at least annually and take steps to improve its performance.

Performance Expectations for Board Members

Demonstrate a strong belief and commitment to the organization’s mission.
Devote the necessary time to prepare for and participate in board and committee meetings.
Accept at least one committee assignment.
Make an annual financial contribution at a level that is personally meaningful.
Be informed about the organization's mission, policies, and programs.
Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization's field.
Exhibit high ethical standards and integrity in all board actions.
Take responsibility and accountability for all decisions made by the board.
Demonstrate a willingness to work as a team with other board members and the Executive Director.
Ask questions and participate candidly in board discussions.
Participate in independent study or in-service training to develop skills and learn aspects of the job which are new to you.
Maintain a sense of humor!

Email your application to Tracie Troxler at ttroxler@sunshinecommunitycompost.org

Apply