Compost Project Coordinator About This Opportunity The Compost Project Coordinator plays a key role on the Compost Team at Queens Botanical Garden, supporting the delivery and hauling of materials, helping to process source-separated organic waste, and moving piles as needed. The position requires flexibility, a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance. And a friendly, enthusiastic approach to promoting the Garden’s composting efforts. In addition to daily operational responsibilities, the Compost Project Coordinator supports the Garden’s compost education programming by leading workshops and site tours, providing technical assistance, engaging in community outreach, coordinating and supervising volunteer groups, and mentoring interns. The role involves heavy physical labor. The Compost Project Coordinator is expected to uphold the highest safety standards.
Responsibilities:
- Process SSOW at our mid-scale site by chopping food scraps, removing contaminants, spreading sawdust, tipping water, building and turning windrows, monitoring temperatures, and sifting finished material to produce high-quality compost
- Drive a 14’ dump truck and other fleet vehicles to deliver/pick up feedstock, finished compost, tools, and promotional materials to/from community sites (e.g. urban farms, schools, community gardens)
- Coordinate efficient delivery schedules and routes with the Compost Project Manager
- Receive feedstock deliveries, documenting source and quantities, guiding safe unloading, and staging materials according to site protocols
- Perform work on uneven terrain, including climbing and moving across windrows, feedstock piles, and compost mounds while maintaining balance and situational awareness
- Keep accurate records of all deliveries, materials hauled, materials received, technical assistance provided, outreach events (8 annually), tours, workshops, and all other programmatic activities
- Help the Compost Project Manager develop reports (DCLA, Master Composter, internships, etc)
- Assist with the oversight of the vehicle fleet, including cleanliness and organization of all equipment
- Serve as part of the snow removal team, collaborating with the Horticulture and Operations departments to clear snow and ice from Garden’s grounds and perimeter
- Teach content-based compost workshops for a variety of audiences, including children
- Ensure that program content, messaging, materials, and delivery align with the Garden’s educational goals, institutional standards, and marketing guidelines
- Represent QBG at community events, including staffing food scraps drop-off sites (FSDOs), tabling, and other outreach activities
- Provide technical assistance, assessing and improving composting systems to optimize their functionality
- Lead tours of our Mid-Scale Compost Site and our Compost Demonstration Site
- Provide friendly and informative customer service, answering questions about composting and other QBG programs
- Document compost events and activities through photography, video and other media
- Attend team meetings on time and collaborate with QBG staff to support the Compost Department's goals
- Collaborate with the Compost Project Manager to train and support interns and volunteers
- Support the team as needed and/or directed by the Compost Project Manager
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or two years relevant experience in environmental education, community composting, education, teaching or a related field
- Valid NYS driver’s license with a clean record and experience driving large vehicles (14-24 feet)
- Experience with dump trucks and/or box trucks and lift gates is highly desirable
- Familiarity with NYC truck routes and ability to navigate NYC streets confidently
- Skilled in operating heavy machinery such as our Kubota skid steer and Kubota tractor
- Demonstrate the ability to safely operate - or quickly learn - specialized composting equipment such as our Bacchus compost turner and Sittler compost screener
- Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
- Ability to lead and assist physical projects, and lift 50 pounds safely
- Ability to perform diverse, sometimes repetitive, tasks that can be physically demanding, including kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching
- Capable of independently troubleshooting and optimizing a variety of small-scale composting systems, including Earth Machines, tumblers, Hotboxes, and three-bin systems
- Friendly, calm, and approachable demeanor suited for engaging with diverse community members
- Organized and proactive, with strong problem-solving skills and an eye for detail
- Ability to effectively use the entire Microsoft Suite, Slack, and Reach UC
- Excellent communication, writing and organizational skills
- Ability to teach workshops or lead tours in a second language (Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, or Bengali) strongly preferred
- Experience creating interactive workshops, tours, and activities
Schedule:
This is a full-time, non-exempt position with weekly on-site work. Benefits offered include excellent medical, vision, dental and life insurance, generous PTO, paid holidays, employee discounts, access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions, pension and other retirement savings plans. This position requires a 35 hours/week schedule Sunday through Thursdays, with occasional Fridays, Saturdays and evenings depending on program needs. This position is funded through June 30, 2027, with renewal contingent on City Council funding. Salary Range: $49,000 - 53,000 For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center. If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to Human Resources. Health & Safety: proof of full Covid-19 vaccination strongly recommended for employment. Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (physical or mental), age, marital status, veteran/active military service member status, political affiliation, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, genetic information, immigration or citizenship status, status as victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, arrest or conviction record, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, employment/unemployment status, salary history, credit history, marital/partnership stratus, caregiver status, height and weight, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources via email or phone 718-886-3800 x 203.