Milwaukee Urban Gardens - Executive Director

Organizational Summary:

Milwaukee Urban Gardens (MUG) is a non-profit land trust that partners with neighborhood residents to develop and maintain community gardens. Since 2000, MUG has led the development, preservation, and beautification efforts of more than fifteen community gardening sites located throughout the City of Milwaukee and currently holds title to five properties, including Greenfolks Garden in Riverwest, Village Roots Garden in Bay View, Grow and Play Lot in Harambee, Hocking Heritage and Spencer Gardens located in Milwaukee’s Northwest side. In addition, MUG currently manages nine gardens for the City of Milwaukee under a long-term lease agreement.

MUG is seeking a new Director with non-profit management and fund-raising experience, a passion for working with community groups and gardeners and an interest in teaching gardening skills to community members. The Director will work under the direction of the MUG Board of Directors, reporting directly to the President of the Board.

For more information about Milwaukee Urban Gardens, please visit the website at: www.milwaukeeurbangardens.org

Essential Functions:
• Prepare and administer annual operating budget.
• Responsible for all aspects of fundraising including maintaining relations with charitable foundations, individual and corporate donors, in addition to preparing grant proposals, reports, project budgets and general solicitation requests.
• Coordinate and provide support for monthly Board of Directors’ meetings.
• Supervise staff, interns, service –learning students and volunteers
• Administer the three year garden lease program with the City of Milwaukee, Department of City Development.
• Coordinate water related policy issues and oversee application process for hydrant permits with Milwaukee Water Works and invoices.
• Oversee and administer educational programs, including the development of Grow Your Own Groceries and World Lunchbox.
• Further policy efforts related to community gardening through networking in collaborative meetings such as Milwaukee Food Council, Urban Food for Urban Schools, Environmental Applied Research Transforming Health (EARTH) committee, Water Strategies for Urban Gardening, Transformation Milwaukee.
• Foster communication and relations between MUG gardens through periodic meetings such as the fall community garden tour, spring seed swap, film series etc.
• Marketing and Outreach including website updates, quarterly newsletters etc.

Qualifications and Requirements:
• College degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 3 years practical experience including a demonstrated ability to supervise and lead others.
• Experience working with Boards of Directors diverse populations and organizations.
• Experience working with the media and public officials.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Possess a high degree of professionalism, flexibility and self initiative.
• Ability to work independently.
• Stellar written and oral communication skills including public speaking.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ability to maintain current website.

To Apply:
This full-time position, with benefits, is expected to be filled by July 15, 2010. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply electronically by submitting a cover letter and resume with relevant work experience and educational expertise to mug.gardens@gmail.com, no later than June 10, 2010.