JOB OPENING: Compost NOW Assistant

JOB OPENING: Part-Time Compost NOW Assistant 

JOB DESCRIPTION: Compost NOW (New Orleans Waste) is a community-based, volunteer led organization with a mission to empower local residents to take collective action over the issue of food waste. Compost NOW has helped divert over 600,000 pounds of food scraps from the landfill since 2017.

Our primary focus has been on hosting free, weekly food waste collections at accessible locations throughout New Orleans, partnering with local farms and gardens to decentralize the composting process and keep local resources in the local community. Since COVID-19 the organization has also spent more time trying to assist those looking to compost at home by providing low-cost backyard compost bins and indoor worm bins, further reducing food waste miles.

Compost NOW is looking for a self-starter with strong time management skills who can stay on top of both regular ongoing tasks as well as complete any new tasks assigned. 

HOURS & COMPENSATION

This is a part-time position paying $600/month, for approximately 10 hours a week on average. While there is some flexibility regarding exact days and hours worked each week, the Compost NOW Assistant will be expected to at least put in some time on the days listed below.

The part-time organizer will help keep the food waste collection program going from November-March/April (and possibly beyond). This includes helping set up / establish new sites, building relationships with new and existing partners, coordinating volunteers, reviving our compost bin production/distribution, tabling at events, helping with fundraising, and responding to emails and other messages in a timely fashion.

The Compost NOW Assistant must be available on Mondays and Wednesdays between 3:30-6:30pm in case they need to host the collections at Audubon Park and/or City Park and should also be available from 8:45am-12:45pm on Saturdays to help with either our Carrollton and Broadmoor collections, when needed (for example, if we do not have a volunteer host, or someone is running late or has to leave early, or we need something transported, etc). 

When not hosting collections, the Compost NOW Assistant will generate content and post on social media, help coordinate volunteers, help our partners with their compost piles/bins and collection sites, help produce DIY compost bins, and respond to emails and other messages in a timely fashion. 

Compost NOW is looking for a self-starter with a passion for composting, urban agriculture or recycling. Previous experience fundraising is helpful but not required. Previous experience working with volunteers is helpful but not required. Experience using a drill appreciated but not required. 

Reliable transportation is required as you may need to transport bins of food scraps  (in closed totes) or deliver items. You must be able to lift up to 40 pounds. 

This position will report to founder and volunteer Lynne Serpe, who will be working remote from NYC and other locations for part of the time frame.

TO APPLY: DEADLINE October 26, at 6pm Central.

Please email lynneserpe.nola@gmail.com and put "Compost NOW job application" in your subject header.

Please email me a "cover letter" in the body of your email. 

Please be sure to explain why you are interested in the position and what skills / experiences you will bring.

Please attach your resume, either in Word or as a pdf.

Please provide the names & emails of 2 references and how you know them.

NEXT STEPS

Interviews will take place over the phone or by Zoom between Thursday, Oct 27- Sunday, Oct 30th. We hope to have the person hired by October 31, and onboarded by November 3-5th in time for Pumpkin SMASH (ideally).

Please email me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Lynne Serpe