Join Our Team! 

Executive Director

Monday through Friday schedule with occasional weekend and evening hours; 35 hours per week
Salary offered is $80K to 90K, commensurate with experience

Groundwork Somerville seeks a dynamic, passionate, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven Executive Director to bring GWS into its third decade. While the Executive Director will play a key external role of promoting the organization’s work and cultivating relationships, they are primarily responsible for the administrative duties of the organization including finances (budgeting, contracts, accounting),  personnel management, fundraising, and organizational development.

The Executive Director requires a variety of skills and a passion for approaching environmental challenges through a community-driven lens. GWS believes in the power of collaboration and achieves results by building partnerships. The Executive Director will benefit from the strength of our history, a motivated team, innovative programming, and find ample opportunities to develop creative solutions to the community’s needs.

Executive Director Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a non-profit leadership role; success in managing programs, teams, budget development, and contract management
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing fundraising strategies
• Strength in grant writing and raising funds from corporate and individual donors
• 3-6 years’ experience supervising a diverse staff with a strong, successful track record
• Commitment to mission, youth empowerment, and addressing the impact of racism and other oppressions on health equity and local food, environmental, and social issues
• Detail-oriented, strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Connection to and knowledge of the Somerville community, or a desire to build connections
• Demonstration of excellence in fast-paced environments; ability to innovate and lead efforts within a mission-driven organization
• Skilled relationship-builder and spokesperson with ability to engage a diverse range of partners, donors, as well as community members and program participants
• Must be fluent in spoken and written English; proficiency (verbal and written) in another, non-English language preferred (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole)

Why you should apply:

• Generous benefits, and paid time off
• Opportunity for remote-work flexibility for administrative and planning duties
• Fresh produce!

Executive Director Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all budgeting efforts in collaboration with the Board Finance Committee
• Manage all legal, fiscal, and administrative processes, including billing and contracts, HR compliance and payroll, financial management, annual review, funder reports, and compliance with state and federal laws
• Foster a positive, team-oriented, environment, while putting a premium on racial and social justice, both internally and externally
• Work closely with the Board Executive Committee to recruit and train board, and host monthly meetings
• Manage and develop staff, including hiring, delegation of responsibility, team building and evaluation; build organizational diversity on staff, intern program, and volunteer base
• Support staff and volunteers to organize and implement projects in Somerville and the Mystic River region
• Hold monthly staff meetings to ensure quality project management
• Hold annual reviews for each staff member, with the Board Programs Committee
• Fundraising, communication, and collaboration
• Develop and implement strategies to build and invigorate an active base of volunteers and donors
• Identify, pursue and secure funding, including grants, gifts, fee-for-service, in-kind donations, non-traditional funding, online marketing, and business sponsorship
• Work to improve awareness of Groundwork and our efforts among Somerville residents and region-wide through increased communications, partnerships, and marketing
• Cultivate and manage relationships with community members, organizations, city agencies, elected officials, charitable foundations, and other funders
• Utilize the Groundwork USA network via active participation in the Executive Director monthly meetings, annual Assembly, and annual report, among other opportunities
• Serve as a spokesperson and representative of Groundwork Somerville

About Groundwork Somerville

Groundwork Somerville, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been “changing places and changing lives” in Somerville, Massachusetts since 2000. Through youth empowerment, urban farming, equitable food access, and community engagement, Groundwork sows the seeds of a healthy community.  Our work is grounded in the understanding that environmental conditions are inextricably linked to economic, social, and racial injustice. We recognize that it is impossible to build a truly sustainable community without holistically addressing these issues. 

As a result, we make an explicit effort to employ and empower youth of color and youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our high-school programming highlights the nuances of racism, sexism, and environmental injustice, and arms program participants with tools to address these inequities. We also work to ensure that every student in Somerville Public Schools has access to a school garden and is engaged in hands-on learning outside of the classroom. By empowering young people to cultivate a positive relationship with food and land, we help them grow into adults that are ready and able to build strong communities. 

GWS is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity. GWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. People of Color and those with other marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply.

Climate Community Engagement Director

Who We Are

Groundwork Somerville is a community-based, action-oriented non-profit. Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of environmental activists to grow a greener and more equitable Somerville. Groundwork Somerville, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been “changing places and changing lives” in Somerville, Massachusetts since 2000. Through youth empowerment, urban farming, equitable food access, and community engagement, Groundwork sows the seeds of a healthy community. Our work is grounded in the understanding that environmental conditions are inextricably linked to economic, social, and racial injustice. We recognize that it is impossible to sustain a healthy community without holistically addressing these issues. As a result, we make an explicit effort to employ and empower youth of color and youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our educational programming specifically highlights the nuances of racism, sexism, and environmental injustice, and arms youth with tools to address these inequities. In addition, Groundwork strives to provide equitable access to food and land for all Somerville residents. We grow crops that have cultural significance to Somerville’s diverse community, and provide equitable access to fresh produce through the Somerville Mobile Market. We strive to hold space where all Somervillians can gather as a community and celebrate the land and each other.

What We Seek

Groundwork is expanding its team with the addition of a new Climate Safe Neighborhood (CSN) and Community Engagement Director role. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CSN and Community Engagement Director will serve as a thought partner and collaborator to the Program Director, the Farm Managers and the Youth Manager, and will work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and advance strategic climate plans and policies. Primarily focused on external affairs and volunteer coordination, the CSN and Community Engagement Director will be highly visible across the organization and within the community, building relationships with individual and corporate volunteers and serving on various City and Nonprofit committees and stakeholder groups. This role is a tremendous opportunity for someone passionate about social, environmental, racial and climate justice.

Essential Functions:

Planning and Resources Management – work with Executive Director to develop grant and philanthropic funding strategies

Liaison – work closely with community members, coalition members, stakeholder groups and Groundwork volunteers to communicate community-driven climate needs and solutions to government leaders and funders in support of required investments and policy changes ; empower residents, faith leaders, educators, businesses, and community-based organizations and Groundwork program leads to design neighborhood-scale community benefit programs.

Volunteer Ambassador- The CSN and Community Engagement Director will be the point of contact for volunteers,  working with the program leads to match volunteers with programmatic needs, communicate climate-driven community needs to them and recruit them as advocates to help meet those needs.

Analysis and Reporting- The CSN and Community Engagement Director will be responsible for all reporting required for the CSN project. This includes the development of Climate Action Plan, midyear and end of year reports and any other reports required as a condition for funding.

Organizational Health – Generate climate-related content for social media and newsletter including photos, updates, announcements, and community engagement opportunities. Participate in weekly staff meetings. Collaborate with colleagues to advance Groundwork Somerville’s goals and initiatives

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and maintain knowledge and expertise of the environmental and social justice conditions in the communities served by Groundwork, including climate safety, Urban Farming, open space and park access, affordable and renewable energy, and clean mobility access.

Build strong, collaborative working relationships with external coalitions and stakeholders. watershed-wide climate justice goals.

Cultivate strong working relationships with all stakeholders – residents, faith leaders, educators, businesses, government leaders, community-based organizations, and funders.

Support Groundwork staff in design, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive community engagement and outreach strategies and programs.

Represent Groundwork, Sommerville communities at public forums/before governing bodies.

Work with the Groundwork team to create fact sheets, briefings, reports and other written products to advance climate justice policy and community voice.

Build an environment of trust and collaboration amongst staff, members and partners, and affiliate organizations.

Recruit and train project and program champions, including funders and government leaders.

Actively attend and participate in public community meetings, including area planning groups, business districts, and recreation councils.

Develop effective communication strategies that support community engagement and outreach efforts.

REQUISITE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required (ie City Planning; Public Policy; Social Work).

Multilingual ability preferred but not required.

Three years of professional management experience.

Dynamic interpersonal skills with demonstrated success as an inspirational manager who has theability to collaborate with colleagues and work autonomously.

Prior experience leading advocacy work, including relationship development with a wide range

of constituents, including community leaders, government, and elected officials.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail, and interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, employees, partners, and the public.

Demonstrated skill and experience in problem-solving in organizational settings.

Ability to use a variety of technological tools and platforms.

Compensation: This is an hourly position at $24/hr with three paid vacation days and paid holidays. 

Location & Schedule

This position will be based in Somerville, MA at 377 Somerville Ave. with a regular Monday through Friday schedule, and occasional weekend and evening hours. This is a full time Senior Management position with a salary of $60,000 annually plus benefits. A signing bonus maybe provided for the selected candidate.

How to Apply

To apply, send a resume and cover letter as a PDF document to director@groundworksomerville.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. In the subject line, write your name and the position for which you are applying, eg: “Jaden Santos – Seasonal Farm Manager & Educator”. Must pass a background check prior to onboarding.

Groundwork Somerville is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity. Groundwork Somerville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. People of Color and those with other marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Internship Openings & Overview

Over its fifteen years, Groundwork Somerville has hosted dozens of college interns from Tufts University (including its Tisch Scholars program), Emerson College, Harvard University, MIT, Lesley University, Simmons College, UMass, Bunker Hill Community College and Suffolk University.  Students and young professionals design and implement their own work projects with GWS staff advice and supervision.  They experience work in the non-profit sector, and learn first-hand the importance of collaboration with public and private community partners.

Unfortunately at this time, we do not have any paid internship opportunities. However, if you are interested in interning with us in 2023 and can obtain funding through your university career center, please reach out to us at admin@groundworksomerville.org. We are open to hosting students working on projects related to agriculture, youth development, education, climate & sustainability, and more.