Organization Information

GrowNYC is a 53-year-old environmental nonprofit organization - helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life.  

Our Programs:  

• Our network of Greenmarkets, Farmstands, and Wholesale ensures that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food.  
• We blanket the five boroughs with resources like textile and food scrap collection, Stop 'N' Swaps, as well as free training to make waste reduction easy for all.  
• We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants, and more.  
• We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment.  

Summer Workforce Development Internship

Position Summary

Over this seven-week summer program, our Summer Workforce Development Interns will rotate through each of GrowNYC’s programs: Education, Conservation, Green Space, and Food Access, completing a combination of hands-on fieldwork and coursework to learn more about GrowNYC’s environmental initiatives. Participants will gain valuable skills in horticulture, urban farming, public service, and more. Participants will end the season with a deeper understanding of our complex food system and will receive a certificate of completion.

Interns will be expected to: 

• Complete the full 7-week program 
• Be ready to work in outdoor field locations
• Participate in weekly coursework sessions
• Work independently and as a group on projects related to urban farming, agriculture, and the environment 
• Independently travel to and from fieldwork locations citywide
• Interact with the public and other GrowNYC Staff at field sites (training provided) 
• Be courteous and respectful of their peers 
• Communicate needs to our Youth Engagement Coordinator who will oversee our Summer Workforce Development Interns
• Fieldwork time may include horticultural tasks, assisting with set up and break down of equipment and carrying materials that weigh up to 50lbs, the use of power tools, light carpentry and building, folding tables and tents, and performing other physical labor.
• Assist with daily operations at GrowNYC sites – product display, merchandising, sales, customer service, inventorying, and site clean-up
• Educate GrowNYC participants on a variety of food access initiatives and incentives.

Sample Schedule 

• Monday: Interns will meet at GrowNYC’s Teaching Garden located on Governors Island for urban gardening, horticulture training, and outdoor workshops.
• Tuesday: Interns will visit various sites across the city to learn about our food system, hear from guest speakers, participate in professional development workshops, and collaborate on projects.
• Wednesday: Interns will work with GrowNYC programs (Farmstand, Green Space, Education), building hands-on experience in the green workforce.

Qualifications

• Must be between 16 and 19 years old by the program start date (July 1st)
• If you are under 18, you will need an employment certificate, also called working papers, to be employed (as per New York State)
• Early riser who enjoys working outdoors in all weather conditions 
• Enjoys talking and working with people of all backgrounds
• Works well both independently and as a member of a team 
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Passionate about the environment, food access, compost, green space, and environmental justice 
• Willing to try new things and get their hands a little dirty

Physical Requirements

This internship requires working outdoors and standing for lengthy periods, sometimes in extreme temperatures, and in a potentially noisy environment. Being able to lift heavy equipment and supplies, up to 50 lbs, is a plus. 

Schedule

This internship will start on July 1st and end on August 14th. Participants will work 20 hours weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Work hours will include a day at our Governors Island Teaching Garden, classroom time at our Manhattan office (or virtual), and fieldwork at GrowNYC sites. Independent travel is required. 

Compensation

This position is non-exempt and is a part-time internship. The pay is $17 per hour and includes statutory benefits. Metrocards will be provided.  

Location

Coursework will be completed at Governors Island Teaching Garden, GrowNYC’s office at 100 Gold Street in Manhattan or virtually. Site work will vary weekly and take place in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or the Bronx. The final schedule of locations will be distributed when the position is offered. 

Applications

Applicants for the Summer Workforce Development Internship should submit an application and 1 reference. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis starting April 1, 2024. Due to the volume of employment applications received, GrowNYC is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. No phone calls or recruiters, please. 

Application deadline is April 26, 2024. 

Contact

GrowNYC 

P.O. Box 2327

New York, NY 10272

212-788-7900

For additional information, please see our website: grownyc.org 

GrowNYC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.