Food and Agriculture Assistant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview:

The International Rescue Committee in NY (IRC NY) is a resettlement agency that provides resettlement, employment, immigration, and education services to over 3,000 refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in New York City each year for over 50 years. For over 12 years, IRC NY has run an urban sustainable agriculture and food security farm program called New Roots in the South Bronx, and for 4 years, a garden in Woodside and Jackson Heights in Queens. New Roots programming provides community green space, access to healthy and culturally appropriate food, and training and education opportunities for newcomers and those who call these neighborhoods home for generations.

Under the supervision of the Food and Agriculture Coordinator, the Food and Agriculture Assistant will support day-to-day farm operations and site maintenance of New Roots Garden in Queens and facilitate training activities, community engagement, and support production and garden projects. This position will work with staff, interns, garden members, volunteers, and community members to increase production and information exchange at the farm and garden sites. The expectation of this role is to work in-person at the farm and garden during open hours plus administrative duties remotely and in our office.

This is a grant-funded, limited term position through September 30th, 2026, with the potential for extension.

Major Responsibilities:

• Contribute to overall site maintenance: weeding, watering, filling up water tanks, picking up trash, organizing tool shed and greenhouse

• Crop plan, create planting schedules, and maintain shared/public areas

• Coordinate work-day activities with community members and support volunteers on site

• Coordinate seed saving for successions and the garden’s seed library

• Provide suggestions for and implement natural pest management

• Assist with harvest and distribution

• Conduct community outreach; develop and maintain community partnerships

• Track quantifiable measurements to assess project effectiveness via Excel and/or Farming Concrete, and ensure data is input into IRCs main database, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)

• Support the farmers market and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and supervise Market Stewards and Apprentices

• Supervise Land Stewards, interns, and volunteers

• Support and promote other New York Resettlement programming taking place at the garden (e.g. Health and Wellness mindfulness workshops) and that can benefit clients and community members (e.g. workforce programs)

• Other related duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

• Passion for and knowledge of food sovereignty and food justice

• Physical ability to carry out gardening and farm-related activities required

• 1-2 years’ experience in sustainable agriculture/urban farming/gardening projects is desired

• Experience in community organizing, engagement, or training, particularly with disadvantaged communities

• Experience working in a diverse and non-traditional setting with a diverse client base

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications

• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multicultural environment

• Able to contribute both independently and as a key team member

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Language Skills: 

• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; strong preference for bilingual candidates, preferably in Spanish, Bengali, or Filipino

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Ability to work independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional team structure

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels

• Ability to manage and work through change proactively and positively

Working Environment: Work will be conducted primarily in the field at the urban garden, with some administrative work performed in the office and remotely. Access to car is a plus.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.