Community Food Systems & Sustainability Manager - East Meadow, NY

The Community Food Systems & Sustainability Manager leads integrated programs that advance equitable access to fresh food, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience. This role oversees horticulture initiatives, farmers market operations, and community nutrition programs while developing and implementing sustainability strategies across the CCE Nassau County programs.

The Manager coordinates and supports a network of Master Gardener volunteers, providing training, oversight, and program alignment to expand community education and urban growing efforts. Working cross-functionally and with external partners, the position ensures programs are data-informed, community-centered, and aligned with CCE Nassau County’s mission to strengthen local food systems and promote healthy, sustainable communities.

    

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience relevant to the role of the position.
• Valid NYS Driver License and the ability to meet travel requirements associated with this position.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends, and during seasonal programs as required.
• Deep expertise in composting disciplines, specifically biodynamic tea brewing and soil microbiology.
• Experience in designing and executing landscape topography changes (grading/drainage).
• Experience in greenhouse management and diverse plant propagation.
• Strong public speaking skills for educational demonstrations.
• Passion for community building and sustainable "Land Grant" philosophies.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively support and manage a team.
• Ability to clearly communicate (speak, read and write proficiently) in English, and to do so effectively and with tact.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity. 
• Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders.
• Ability to support staff who are learning a new skill through clear instructions, accompaniment, and periodic follow up.
• Ability and willingness to work with a high degree of integrity, accuracy, organization, sound professional judgment, and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive information.
• Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks, deadlines, requirements, and priorities to complete work in a timely manner and within established deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technologies for educational, management and communication purposes, including Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work creatively in an environment with a degree of ambiguity, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to reflect on experience, derive insights, and refine program based on a process of action-reflection.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and ability to work with local and state agencies, government, nonprofit organizations, community resources, partners, and community stakeholders, especially those with limited income.
• Experience implementing strategies and educational programs that influence community change.
• Strong understanding and commitment to addressing environmental and economic inequities through solution-based approaches.
• Experience in fund development or fundraising; experience writing/implementing grants and proposals.
• Ability to recruit, train, and support diverse volunteers.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Program Responsibilities:

Development - 5%

• Apply subject matter knowledge to provide input in the development of educational strategies.
• Support the research, identification and selection of existing educational and community resources and identify additional resources required for new programs and initiatives.
• Influence the creation of program materials to meet the needs of program participants.

Delivery - 20%

• Apply subject matter knowledge to create innovative lesson plans to deliver educational programs.
• Teach workshops on composting standards, thermal phases, and soil food web disciplines to reduce community waste. 
• Implement and demonstrate manual and electric tool usage to show businesses and homeowners how to manage landscapes without fossil fuels.
• Utilize gradients to demonstrate passive irrigation, drainage mitigation, and rain barrel implementation.
• Host events for building "Ladybug Motels," "Praying Mantis Motels," and "Honeybee Hotels" to encourage beneficial insect populations.
• Host seasonal crafting workshops including but not limited to wreath-making (using facility-grown materials), garden j