Garden of Eatin' Manager

About North Bay Children’s Center:

North Bay Children’s Center (NBCC) is a nonprofit educational organization with more than 40 years of dedicated service to children and families in the North Bay region. NBCC’s Garden of Eatin’ (GOE) program is a cornerstone of this mission, bringing living-curriculum garden, nutrition and nature education to sites across Marin and Sonoma Counties. The GOE program engages children, families, and educators through hands-on garden and nature programs to develop healthy bodies, curious minds and caring stewards.

Position Summary:

The Garden of Eatin’ Manager (GOEM) is a dynamic, blended leadership role that combines hands-on horticultural expertise with people management, program oversight, administrative responsibility, and creative vision. Under the direction of the GOE Director, the GOEM is the operational hub of the GOE program—managing a team of four garden staff, overseeing multiple active garden sites across Marin and Sonoma Counties, and ensuring the consistent, high-quality implementation of NBCC’s Living Curriculum across the organization.

The ideal GOEM is an experienced, self-directed leader who is equally comfortable in the garden and at a desk, who leads with clarity and warmth, communicates proactively across a dispersed team, and brings both practical gardening knowledge and thoughtful program judgment to every aspect of the role.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & People Management

Directly manage, support, schedule, and evaluate a team of four Gardeners and GOE Program Trainers across multiple sites in Marin and Sonoma Counties

Provide consistent structure, clear expectations, and regular feedback to foster a high-functioning, motivated team

Lead onboarding, training, mentoring, and ongoing professional development for all direct reports

Participate actively in the hiring process for garden staff

Facilitate regular team check-ins and maintain open, effective communication across a geographically dispersed team

Model NBCC’s values of respect, inclusivity, and professionalism in all team interactions

Garden Operations & Site Management

Oversee the care and management of seasonal garden sites across NBCC’s Marin and Sonoma County locations

Ensure consistency in garden standards, aesthetics, and productivity across all sites, including greenhouse operations

Providing hands-on support for garden skills training

Apply thorough knowledge of plants, pests, disease management, soil health, irrigation systems, and sustainable growing practices

Ensure all garden environments meet NBCC safety and licensing requirement

GOE Program Implementation

Oversee and support the GOE team’s implementation of the GOE Living Curriculum (LC) across all NBCC sites

Train, mentor, and monitor garden staff for both garden upkeep quality and GOE program fidelity

Collaborate with the GOE Director to develop, refine, and update Living Curriculum content

Facilitate year-round teaching and tasting garden aligned to GOE curriculum

Continuously evaluate program implementation and support ongoing quality improvement

Administrative & Budget Management

Manage the GOE program budget in coordination with the GOE Director, tracking expenditures and staying within annual projections

Prepare and maintain accurate program reports, documentation, schedules, and records accessible to NBCC staff

Manage staff schedules and travel logistics across two counties

Use Microsoft 365 Suite and related technology tools proficiently for communication, documentation, and planning

Adhere to all NBCC policies, procedures, and compliance requirements

Communication & Organizational Engagement

Serve as a key communication link with garden staff

Attend and contribute meaningfully to GOE Team planning meetings and relevant NBCC staff meetings

Attend, help organize and present/co-present at NBCC Staff Development Days; August & March

Collaborate on GOE’s participation in NBCC’s annual Night in Tuscany fundraising event

Present or help with workshops, conferences, and community events (including occasional evenings and Saturdays)

Child Interaction & Equity

Recognize and honor each child’s cultural, ethnic, and individual identity in all garden interactions

Practice positive reinforcement and redirection; uphold NBCC’s policies prohibiting corporal punishment, humiliation, or mental abuse

Professional Development

Engage in regular self-evaluation and goal-setting in coordination with the GOE Director

Pursue ongoing professional development.

Participate in workshops, conferences, and training opportunities to strengthen expertise and leadership

Qualifications

Required

Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on gardening, landscaping, permaculture, or related experience

1–3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including scheduling, training, and performance support

Strong working knowledge of edible gardening, California-native plants, composting, soil health, and pest and disease management

Knowledge of irrigation systems; experience with greywater or rainwater collection a plus

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Ability to manage a geographically dispersed team across two counties with minimal day-to-day supervision

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations with cultural humility and respect

Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and comfortable with technology

Must be able to travel regularly between Marin and Sonoma County sites

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular outdoor work in varied weather conditions. The GOEM must be able to lift and move items up to 50 pounds; reach, bend, squat, and kneel; and perform sustained physical activity in a garden environment. Frequent travel between sites using a personal vehicle is required.

Human Resources 

· Health screening as required in section 101216(g) 

· Tuberculosis test & document as specified in section 101216(g)

· Criminal Record Clerance and/or criminal records exemption (DOJ, CACI & FBI)

· Valid Driver’s License

· Child Abuse Managed Reporter Training (online) 

· Employee Rights (Lic 9052) 

· Proof of Immunizations for MMR, Tdap & Flu 

· Current CPR & First Aid 

· Covid19 Vaccination

Work Environment 

o Noise level in the work environment is frequently loud 

o Will work outdoors and indoors

o Will use computers, tablets, cell phone (if provided), and other office equipment

o Will work alone as well as with other peers and supervisors

o Will work with and around children ages 0 – 6

Compensation details: 85000-95000 Yearly Salary

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