Deep Roots KC Job Description for Program Coordinator

Job Title: Program Coordinator
Reports to: Deep Roots Executive Director

Organization Background

Incorporated in 2016 as the Kansas City Native Plant Initiative, Deep Roots KC is an environmental not-for-profit focused on enhancing habitat through native plants. Deep Roots KC’s mission is to encourage the appreciation, conservation, and use of native plants in the heartland through educating, collaborating, and facilitating the planting of regenerative native landscapes that are essential for a healthy planet.

Position Overview

Deep Roots KC is one of four local not-for-profit organizations implementing the America Rescue Plan Act’s Community-Based Program to Support Urban Forestry, Blue River Watershed Restoration Plan, and Climate Protection & Resiliency Plan. Deep Roots’ role in this project will focus on public engagement.  The specific goal of this program is to Increase Native Plant Landscaping through neighborhood and community engagement. Programming will highlight native plant landscapes and gardens through garden tours. It will provide community engagement and outreach through trainings, demonstration gardens, and Nature Advisor consultations.

This program is funded through 2026 and will be responsible for implementing the following:

• Work with existing Deep Roots staff to manage and enhance the Deep Roots Demonstration Garden at the Discovery Center and other gardens as assigned.
• Manage Habitat Garden Tour and Plant Sale event days with support from the Deep Roots team.
• Organize and lead two in-person Introduction to Native Plant Landscaping series annually to engage targeted communities, and other presentations as assigned.
• Provide Nature Advisor consultations.

Garden Management and Tours: Support the Deep Roots Outdoor Education Manager at Native Plant Demonstration Gardens. This position will work independently and alongside learners. With the Deep Roots Garden Tour Program Managers, support Habitat Garden Tour and Plant Sale community events. The opportunities are key experiences for novices and advanced learners.

Community Engagement and Native Plant Presentations: Reviewing existing content, develop and present condensed educational curriculum to targeted communities adjacent to the Blue River. Identify the audiences and event locations. Explore the engagement of a facilitator to enhance community participation and feedback. The presentation will focus on 1) the importance of native plants, 2) the fundamentals of gardening, and 3) Sweet Sixteen garden design options.

Deep Roots’ Nature Advisors program offers residents one-on-one consultations to residents to enhance their yards’ habitat value through native plants. This position will market and provide Nature Advisor consultations to the broader metro as assigned by the Nature Advisor Program Manager and to targeted neighborhoods as a part of the ARPA program.

Deep Roots Job Tasks

• Garden management
• Garden tours at Demonstration Garden and other natural areas where appropriate or assigned
• Scheduling, promoting, and presenting at community engagement sessions
• Scheduling and providing Nature Advisor consultations to area residents
• Support at Deep Roots KC’s Native Plant Sales
• Assist with Deep Roots outreach programming: Webinars, special events, and The Pollinator newsletter
• Assist in implementing Deep Roots’ communications strategy via the newsletter and social media messaging around native plants

Skills

• Knowledge of native plants and ecology
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Basic understanding of the non-profit sector
• Comfort with technology
• Attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple projects
• Ability to adhere to tight deadlines
• Comfort working with the public

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of native plants and ecosystems
• Thrives in a team-oriented setting
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work from home with reliable internet access
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to attend meetings in metro Kansas City area
• Physical ability to participate in indoor and outdoor activities which may include uneven terrains and the occasional lifting of 30 pounds or more
• Ability to use MS Office Products, databases, Gmail (including calendar), social media apps (both desktop and mobile access), and Zoom

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

This is a full time, exempt position. Many tasks take place during regular business hours Monday-Friday with evening and weekend responsibilities as well.

Compensation

$40,000-$50,000 full time annually, commensurate with experience, plus a Simple IRA and possible bonus pool

15 days PTO annually

Paid holidays: Ten per year, plus the days between December 26-31

Cell phone stipend and mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate

To apply, submit resume and cover letter to stacia@deeprootskc.org by May 31, 2025.